Nebraska Department of Insurance
The Nebraska Department of Insurance is responsible for regulating all types of insurance sold in the state of Nebraska -- including health insurance policies.
If you are looking for health insurance coverage, the Department of Insurance can help you find an insurance agent or insurance company that is licensed to do business in Nebraska. You can contact them at the phone number listed below, or conduct your own search online.
If you are having trouble resolving a claims dispute with your insurer, you can file a complaint with the Department of Insurance. They have a complaint form available for you to download and mail in -- or, you can call the Department of Insurance at 877-564-7323.
Nebraska Department of Insurance
Terminal Building
941 O Street, Suite 400
Lincoln, NE 68508-3690
Phone: 877-564-7323
TDD: 800-833-7352
http://www.doi.ne.gov/consumer.htm
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
Kansas City Regional Office
2300 Main Street, Suite 1100
Kansas City, MO 64108
Steve Eischen - Director
Phone: 816-285-1800
Fax: 816-285-1888
http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/
Buying Individual Policies in Nebraska
As a general rule, insurers in Nebraska are allowed to reject your application for coverage based on your health status. However, you may qualify for coverage as a "HIPAA-eligible" individual 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.
People who are HIPAA-eligible are guaranteed the right to buy insurance through the Nebraska Comprehensive Health Insurance Pool(described below). If you are not sure whether you are a HIPAA-eligible individual, your insurance agent or the Department of Insurance can help you find out.
Nebraska Comprehensive Health Insurance Pool (CHIP)
CHIP offers coverage to individuals who are unable to purchase an individual health insurance policy because they have pre-existing health conditions. It also covers "HIPAA-eligible" individuals as described above. The CHIP website has information on their eligibility requirements, as well as current premium rates.
Nebraska Comprehensive Health Insurance Pool (CHIP)
Phone: 877-348-4304 or 402-343-3574
http://www.nechip.com/index.asp
Nebraska Kids Connection
Kids Connection provides health insurance coverage for children under age 19 whose family meets certain income requirements.
Kids Connection
P.O. Box 94926
Lincoln, NE 68509-4926
Phone: 1-877-NEB-KIDS (1-877-632-5437)
http://www.hhs.state.ne.us/med/kidsconx.htm
Nebraska State Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP)
SHIIP provides free one-on-one counseling for Medicare beneficiaries with questions about any aspect of Medicare, including the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit, or Medigap coverage.
SHIIP
Nebraska Department of Insurance
Terminal Building
941 O Street, Suite 400
Lincoln, NE 68508-3690
Phone: 402-471-2201 OR 800-234-7119
Email: shiip@doi.state.ne.us
http://www.doi.ne.gov/shiip/
Nebraska 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 Nebraska Medicaid, contact the Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services at the number listed below.
Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services
301 Centennial Mall South
Lincoln, Nebraska 68509
Phone: 402-471-3121
http://www.hhs.state.ne.us/med/medprog.htm
