What is meant by "health insurance portability"?

"Health insurance portability" refers to the ability of individuals to maintain their health insurance benefits when they change jobs or insurance providers. This concept is particularly relevant in the context of employment-based health insurance. It ensures that individuals are not at risk of losing their health coverage due to a job change, which can otherwise lead to gaps in coverage or the need to requalify for benefits based on pre-existing conditions.

The significance of this concept is highlighted by laws such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which provides protections for individuals regarding their health insurance coverage during transitions between jobs. This allows employees to confidently change employers without worrying about losing access to necessary health benefits.

While the concept of switching providers freely or having continuous coverage periods is related to health insurance, they do not fully capture the specific meaning of portability in this context. Temporary insurance coverage is a different topic altogether and doesn't pertain to the core principle of maintaining benefits during job transitions.