Idaho Department of Insurance
The Idaho Department of Insurance is responsible for regulating all types of insurance sold in the Idaho - including health insurance policies.
If you are looking for health insurance coverage, they have lists of insurance agents and insurance companies licensed to do business in Idaho. Go here to check for licensed agents or to find out if your insurance company is licensed to do business in Idaho.
If you are having trouble resolving a claims dispute with your insurer, you can contact the Department of Insurance by phone and ask to speak with a Consumer Affairs Officer. You may also file a complaint in writing - instructions for doing so can be found here.
Idaho Department of Insurance
700 West State Street
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0043
Phone: 208-334-4250
Fax: 208-334-4398
U.S. Department of Labor
If you get your insurance through your job, your plan is also regulated by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA). They make and enforce the rules that your employer must follow when offering health insurance coverage to employees - for example, your employer cannot single out an individual employee to exclude her from the plan because she (or one of her dependents) has a costly illness. Also, if there are 20 or more employees at your job, you should be offered COBRA continuation coverage when you leave your job. The EBSA works to make sure that all of this happens and your rights are protected.
If you have concerns about your employer's practices in administering your job-based health coverage - for example, if you think you should have been offered COBRA continuation coverage, but were not, or if you feel that you were wrongly terminated from your health plan - contact your regional EBSA office.
U.S. Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration
Seattle District Office
1111 Third Avenue, Suite 860
Seattle, WA 98101-3212
Duane Peterson - Supervisor
Tel 206-553-4246
Fax 206-553-0913
Buying Individual Policies in Idaho
As a general rule, insurers in Idaho are allowed to reject your application for coverage based on your health status. However, if you had at least 18 months of continuous creditable coverage, the last day of which was under a group plan AND you have exhausted all COBRA continuation coverage which was available to you, you may qualify as a HIPAA-eligible individual. People who are HIPAA-eligible are guaranteed the right to buy an individual health policy. If you are not sure whether you are eligible to buy an individual policy under HIPAA, your insurance agent or the Department of Insurance can help you find out.
Idaho Children's Health Insurance
Idaho provides coverage for children in two ways: either through the Medicaid program, or with the Access Card for Children. The Medicaid program is described in further detail at the bottom of this page, and is intended to cover children from families whose income falls at or below 133% of the federal poverty guidelines. The Access Card for Children provides health insurance premium payment assistance for children from families with an income between 133% and 185% of the federal poverty guidelines. Both programs are operated through Idaho Health & Welfare. Please contact your local Idaho Health & Welfare Office for more information and an application.
Idaho Access Card for Children
Phone: 866-326-2485
Email: APSPortal@dhw.idaho.gov
Idaho Senior Health Insurance Benefit Advisors Program (SHIBA)
The Idaho SHIBA program provides free one-on-one counseling for Medicare beneficiaries with questions about any aspect of Medicare, including the new Part D prescription drug benefit, or Medigap coverage.
Idaho Senior Health Insurance Benefit Advisors Program
Phone: 800-247-4422
Idaho Medicaid
Medicaid is a government program designed to help the poor and indigent obtain health care services. Pregnant women and children under age 19 who meet certain income requirements may be eligible for Medicaid coverage, along with aged, blind, and disabled individuals. For more information about eligibility, contact your local Idaho Health & Welfare Office.
Idaho Medicaid
Phone: 211 or 800-926-2588
