The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 is a federal law that affords rights and protections for participants and beneficiaries in group health plans.
HIPAA includes (1) protections for coverage under group health plans that would otherwise limit or exclude coverage for preexisting conditions, (2) prohibitions of discrimination against employees and dependents based on their health status, and (3) allowance of a special opportunity for employees to enroll in a new plan, under certain circumstances, known as "open enrollment."