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Uplift Education
Notice of Privacy Practices
Privacy Notice
Your Information.
Your Rights.
Our Responsibilities.

This notice describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information. Please review it carefully.

Your Rights
When it comes to your health information, you have certain rights.
This section explains your rights and some of our responsibilities to help you.
Get a copy of your health and claims records
  • You can ask to see or get a copy of your health and claims records and other health information we have about you. Ask us how to do this.
  • We will provide a copy or a summary of your health and claims records, usually within 30 days of your request. We may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee.
Ask us to correct health and claims records
  • You can ask us to correct your health and claims records if you think they are incorrect or incomplete. Ask us how to do this.
  • We may say "no" to your request, but we'll tell you why in writing within 60 days.
Request confidential communications
  • You can ask us to contact you in a specific way (for example, home or office phone) or to send mail to a different address.
  • We will consider all reasonable requests, and must say "yes" if you tell us you would be in danger if we do not.
Ask us to limit what we use or share
  • You can ask us not to use or share certain health information for treatment, payment, or our operations.
  • We are not required to agree to your request, and we may say "no" if it would affect your care.
Get a list of those with whom we've shared information
  • You can ask for a list (accounting) of the times we've shared your health information for six years prior to the date you ask, who we shared it with, and why.
  • We will include all the disclosures except for those about treatment, payment, and health care operations, and certain other disclosures (such as any you asked us to make). We'll provide one accounting a year for free but will charge a reasonable, cost-based fee if you ask for another one within 12 months.
Get a copy of this privacy notice
  • You can ask for a paper copy of this notice at any time, even if you have agreed to receive the notice electronically. We will provide you with a paper copy promptly.
Choose someone to act for you
  • If you have given someone medical power of attorney or if someone is your legal guardian, that person can exercise your rights and make choices about your health information.
  • We will make sure the person has this authority and can act for you before we take any action.
File a complaint if you feel your rights are violated
  • You can complain if you feel we have violated your rights by contacting us using the information on the back page.
  • You can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights by sending a letter to 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20201, calling 1-877-696-6775, or visiting www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints/.
  • We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.
Your Choices
For certain health information, you can tell us your choices about what we share. If you have a clear preference for how we share your information in the situations described below, talk to us. Tell us what you want us to do, and we will follow your instructions.
In these cases, you have both the right and choice to tell us to:
  • Share information with your family, close friends, or others involved in payment for your care
  • Share information in a disaster relief situation

If you are not able to tell us your preference, for example if you are unconscious, we may go ahead and share your information if we believe it is in your best interest. We may also share your information when needed to lessen a serious and imminent threat to health or safety.
In these cases we never share your information unless you give us written permission:
  • Marketing purposes
  • Sale of your information
Our Uses and Disclosures
How do we typically use or share your health information?
We typically use or share your health information in the following ways.
Help manage the health care treatment you receive
  • We can use your health information and share it with professionals who are treating you.
 Example: A doctor sends us information about your diagnosis and treatment plan so we can arrange additional services.
Run our organization
  • We can use and disclose your information to run our organization and contact you when necessary.
  • We are not allowed to use genetic information to decide whether we will give you coverage and the price of that coverage. This does not apply to long term care plans.
 Example: We use health information about you to develop better services for you.
Pay for your health services
  • We can use and disclose your health information as we pay for your health services.
 Example: We share information about you with your dental plan to coordinate payment for your dental work.
Administer your plan
  • We may disclose your health information to your health plan sponsor for plan administration.
 Example: Your company contracts with us to provide a health plan, and we provide your company with certain statistics to explain the premiums we charge.
How else can we use or share your health information?
We are allowed or required to share your information in other ways – usually in ways that contribute to the public good, such as public health and research. We have to meet many conditions in the law before we can share your information for these purposes. For more information see: www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/consumers/index.html.
Help with public health and safety issues

We can share health information about you for certain situations such as:

  • Preventing disease
  • Helping with product recalls
  • Reporting adverse reactions to medications
  • Reporting suspected abuse, neglect, or domestic violence
  • Preventing or reducing a serious threat to anyone's health or safety
Do research
  • We can use or share your information for health research.
Comply with the law
  • We will share information about you if state or federal laws require it, including with the Department of Health and Human Services if it wants to see that we're complying with federal privacy law.
Respond to organ and tissue donation requests and work with a medical examiner or funeral director
  • We can share health information about you with organ procurement organizations.
  • We can share health information with a coroner, medical examiner, or funeral director when an individual dies.
Address workers' compensation, law enforcement, and other government requests
  • We can use or share health information about you:
    • For workers' compensation claims
    • For law enforcement purposes or with a law enforcement official
    • With health oversight agencies for activities authorized by law
    • For special government functions such as military, national security, and presidential protective services
Respond to lawsuits and legal actions
  • We can share health information about you in response to a court or administrative order, or in response to a subpoena.
Our Responsibilities
  • We are required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information.
  • We will let you know promptly if a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy or security of your information.
  • We must follow the duties and privacy practices described in this notice and give you a copy of it.
  • We will not use or share your information other than as described here unless you tell us we can in writing. If you tell us we can, you may change your mind at any time. Let us know in writing if you change your mind.

For more information see: www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/consumers/noticepp.html.

Changes to the Terms of This Notice

We can change the terms of this notice, and the changes will apply to all information we have about you. The new notice will be available upon request, on our web site, and we will mail a copy to you.

This Notice of Privacy Practices applies to the following organizations.

Jessica O'Leary
joleary@uplifteducation.org
(469) 621-8500 x 211075

Uplift Education
3000 Pegasus Park Drive, Suite 1100
Dallas, TX 75247
http://uplifteducationbenefits.org

September 1, 2024

HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices

Uplift Academy


THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.

Uplift Education sponsors certain group health plan(s) (collectively, the "Plan" or "We") to provide benefits to our employees, their dependents and other participants. We provide this coverage through various relationships with third parties that establish networks of providers, coordinate your care, and process claims for reimbursement for the services that you receive. This Notice of Privacy Practices (the "Notice") describes the legal obligations of Uplift Education the Plan, and your legal rights regarding your protected health information, including certain substance use disorder (SUD) records covered by 42 CFR part 2 (Part 2), held by the Plan under HIPAA. Among other things, this Notice describes how your protected health information may be used or disclosed to carry out treatment, payment, or health care operations, or for any other purposes that are permitted or required by law.

We are required to provide this Notice to you pursuant to HIPAA. The HIPAA Privacy Rule protects only certain medical information known as "protected health information." Generally, protected health information is individually identifiable health information, including demographic information, collected from you or created or received by a health care provider, a health care clearinghouse, a health plan, or your employer on behalf of a group health plan, which relates to:

  • (1) your past, present or future physical or mental health or condition;
  • (2) the provision of health care to you; or
  • (3) the past, present or future payment for the provision of health care to you.

Note: If you are covered by one or more fully insured group health plans offered by Uplift Education, you will receive a separate notice regarding the availability of a notice of privacy practices applicable to that coverage and how to obtain a copy of the notice directly from the insurance carrier.

Contact Information

If you have any questions about this Notice or about our privacy practices, please contact the Uplift Education HIPAA Privacy Officer or:

Jessica O'Leary
Attention: HIPAA Privacy Officer
Jessica O'Leary, Director of Benefits
469.621.8500 ext. 211075
joleary@uplifteducation.org

Effective Date

This Notice, as revised, is effective February 16, 2026.

Our Responsibilities

We are required by law to:

  • maintain the privacy of your protected health information;
  • provide you with certain rights with respect to your protected health information;
  • provide you with a copy of this Notice of our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to your protected health information; and
  • follow the terms of the Notice that is currently in effect.

We reserve the right to change the terms of this Notice and to make new provisions regarding your protected health information that we maintain, as allowed or required by law. If we make any material change to this Notice, we will provide you with a copy of our revised Notice of Privacy Practices. You may also obtain a copy of the latest revised Notice by contacting our Privacy Officer at the contact information provided above or on our intranet. Except as provided within this Notice, we may not disclose your protected health information without your prior authorization.

How We May Use and Disclose Your Protected Health Information

Under the law, we may use or disclose your protected health information under certain circumstances without your permission. The following categories describe the different ways that we may use and disclose your protected health information. For each category of uses or disclosures we will explain what we mean and present some examples. Not every use or disclosure in a category will be listed. However, all of the ways we are permitted to use and disclose protected health information will fall within one of the categories.

For Treatment

We may use or disclose your protected health information to facilitate medical treatment or services by providers. We may disclose medical information about you to providers, including doctors, nurses, technicians, medical students, or other hospital personnel who are involved in taking care of you. For example, we might disclose information about your prior prescriptions to a pharmacist to determine if a pending prescription is inappropriate or dangerous for you to use. For example, a patient receiving treatment for substance use disorder (SUD) at a specialized treatment program consents to share their Part 2 records with a primary care physician or mental health provider. This disclosure allows the primary care or mental health provider to access relevant treatment information—such as diagnosis, treatment plans, and progress notes—to coordinate and provide integrated care for the patient's overall health needs.

For Payment

We may use or disclose your protected health information to determine your eligibility for Plan benefits, to facilitate payment for the treatment and services you receive from health care providers, to determine benefit responsibility under the Plan, or to coordinate Plan coverage. For example, we may tell your health care provider about your medical history to determine whether a particular treatment is experimental, investigational, or medically necessary, or to determine whether the Plan will cover the treatment. We may also share your protected health information with a utilization review or precertification service provider. Likewise, we may share your protected health information with another entity to assist with the adjudication or subrogation of health claims or to another health plan to coordinate benefit payments. For example, a substance use treatment program discloses Part 2 records (SUD) to a health insurance company or a third-party billing service to obtain reimbursement for the treatment services provided to the patient. This disclosure may include information such as dates of service, types of treatment, and diagnosis codes necessary for claims processing and payment.

For Health Care Operations

We may use and disclose your protected health information for other Plan operations. These uses and disclosures are necessary to run the Plan. For example, we may use medical information in connection with conducting quality assessment and improvement activities; underwriting, premium rating, and other activities relating to Plan coverage; submitting claims for stop-loss (or excess-loss) coverage; conducting or arranging for medical review, legal services, audit services, and fraud & abuse detection programs; business planning and development such as cost management; and business management and general Plan administrative activities. The Plan is prohibited from using or disclosing protected health information that is genetic information about an individual for underwriting purposes. For example, a substance use treatment program shares Part 2 records (SUD) with its quality assurance team or an external auditor to review and improve the quality and effectiveness of the treatment services provided. This may include analyzing treatment outcomes, conducting peer reviews, or evaluating staff performance to ensure compliance with clinical standards.

To Business Associates

We may contract with individuals or entities known as Business Associates to perform various functions on our behalf or to provide certain types of services. In order to perform these functions or to provide these services, Business Associates will receive, create, maintain, use and/or disclose your protected health information, but only after they agree in writing with us to implement appropriate safeguards regarding your protected health information. For example, we may disclose your protected health information, including SUD treatment records, to a Business Associate to administer claims or to provide support services, such as utilization management, pharmacy benefit management or subrogation, but only after the Business Associate enters into a Business Associate Agreement with us.

As Required by Law

We will disclose your protected health information when required to do so by federal, state or local law. For example, we may disclose your protected health information when required by national security laws or public health disclosure laws.

To Avert a Serious Threat to Health or Safety

We may use and disclose your protected health information when necessary to prevent a serious threat to your health and safety, or the health and safety of the public or another person. Any disclosure, however, would only be to someone able to help prevent the threat. For example, we may disclose your protected health information in a proceeding regarding the licensure of a physician.

To Plan Sponsors

For the purpose of administering the Plan, we may disclose to certain employees of the Employer protected health information. However, those employees will only use or disclose that information as necessary to perform Plan administration functions or as otherwise required by HIPAA, unless you have authorized further disclosures. Your protected health information cannot be used for employment purposes without your specific authorization.

Special Situations

In addition to the above, the following categories describe other possible ways that we may use and disclose your protected health information. For each category of uses or disclosures, we will explain what we mean and present some examples. Not every use or disclosure in a category will be listed. However, all of the ways we are permitted to use and disclose information will fall within one of the categories.

Organ and Tissue Donation

If you are an organ donor, we may release your protected health information to organizations that handle organ procurement or organ, eye, or tissue transplantation or to an organ donation bank, as necessary to facilitate organ or tissue donation and transplantation.

Military and Veterans

If you are a member of the armed forces, we may release your protected health information as required by military command authorities. We may also release protected health information about foreign military personnel to the appropriate foreign military authority.

Workers' Compensation

We may release your protected health information for workers' compensation or similar programs. These programs provide benefits for work-related injuries or illness.

Public Health Risks

We may disclose your protected health information for public health actions. These actions generally include the following:

  • to prevent or control disease, injury, or disability;
  • to report births and deaths;
  • to report child abuse or neglect;
  • to report reactions to medications or problems with products;
  • to notify people of recalls of products they may be using;
  • to notify a person who may have been exposed to a disease or may be at risk for contracting or spreading a disease or condition;
  • to notify the appropriate government authority if we believe that a patient has been the victim of abuse, neglect, or domestic violence. We will only make this disclosure if you agree, or when required or authorized by law.

Health Oversight Activities

We may disclose your protected health information to a health oversight agency for activities authorized by law. These oversight activities include, for example, audits, investigations, inspections, and licensure. These activities are necessary for the government to monitor the health care system, government programs, and compliance with civil rights laws.

Lawsuits and Disputes

If you are involved in a lawsuit or a dispute, we may disclose your protected health information in response to a court or administrative order. We may also disclose your protected health information in response to a subpoena, discovery request, or other lawful process by someone else involved in the dispute, but only if efforts have been made to tell you about the request or to obtain an order protecting the information requested.

SUD treatment records received from programs subject to 42 CFR part 2, or testimony relaying the content of such records, shall not be used or disclosed in civil, criminal, administrative, or legislative proceedings against you unless based on your written consent, or a court order after notice and an opportunity to be heard is provided to you or the holder of the record, as provided in 42 CFR part 2. A court order authorizing use or disclosure must be accompanied by a subpoena or other legal requirement compelling disclosure before the requested record is used or disclosed.

Law Enforcement

We may disclose your protected health information if asked to do so by a law enforcement official—

  • in response to a court order, subpoena, warrant, summons or similar process;
  • to identify or locate a suspect, fugitive, material witness, or missing person;
  • about the victim of a crime if, under certain limited circumstances, we are unable to obtain the victim's agreement;
  • about a death that we believe may be the result of criminal conduct;
  • about criminal conduct; and
  • in emergency circumstances to report a crime; the location of the crime or victims; or the identity, description or location of the person who committed the crime.

Coroners, Medical Examiners and Funeral Directors

We may release protected health information to a coroner or medical examiner. This may be necessary, for example, to identify a deceased person or determine the cause of death. We may also release medical information about patients to funeral directors as necessary to carry out their duties.

National Security and Intelligence Activities

We may release your protected health information to authorized federal officials for intelligence, counterintelligence, and other national security activities authorized by law.

Inmates

If you are an inmate of a correctional institution or are in the custody of a law enforcement official, we may disclose your protected health information to the correctional institution or law enforcement official if necessary (1) for the institution to provide you with health care; (2) to protect your health and safety or the health and safety of others; or (3) for the safety and security of the correctional institution.

Research

We may disclose your protected health information to researchers when: (1) the individual identifiers have been removed; or (2) when an institutional review board or privacy board has (a) reviewed the research proposal; and (b) established protocols to ensure the privacy of the requested information, and approves the research.

Required Disclosures

The following is a description of disclosures of your protected health information we are required to make.

Government Audits

We are required to disclose your protected health information to the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services when the Secretary is investigating or determining our compliance with the HIPAA privacy rule.

Disclosures to You

When you request, we are required to disclose to you the portion of your protected health information that contains medical records, billing records, and any other records used to make decisions regarding your health care benefits. We are also required, when requested, to provide you with an accounting of most disclosures of your protected health information if the disclosure was for reasons other than for payment, treatment, or health care operations, and if the protected health information was not disclosed pursuant to your individual authorization.

Notification of a Breach

We are required to notify you in the event that we (or one of our Business Associates) discover a breach of your unsecured protected health information, as defined by HIPAA.

Other Disclosures

Personal Representatives

We will disclose your protected health information to individuals authorized by you, or to an individual designated as your personal representative, attorney-in-fact, etc., so long as you provide us with a written notice/authorization and any supporting documents (i.e., power of attorney). Note: Under the HIPAA privacy rule, we do not have to disclose information to a personal representative if we have a reasonable belief that:

  • (1) you have been, or may be, subjected to domestic violence, abuse or neglect by such person;
  • (2) treating such person as your personal representative could endanger you; or
  • (3) in the exercise or professional judgment, it is not in your best interest to treat the person as your personal representative.

Spouses and Other Family Members

With only limited exceptions, we will send all mail to the employee. This includes mail relating to the employee's spouse and other family members who are covered under the Plan and includes mail with information on the use of Plan benefits by the employee's spouse and other family members and information on the denial of any Plan benefits to the employee's spouse and other family members. If a person covered under the Plan has requested Restrictions or Confidential Communications (see below under "Your Rights"), and if we have agreed to the request, we will send mail as provided by the request for Restrictions or Confidential Communications.

Authorizations

Other uses or disclosures of your protected health information not described above, including the use and disclosure of SUD Part 2 treatment records, psychotherapy notes, and the use or disclosure of protected health information for fundraising or marketing purposes, will not be made without your written authorization. You may revoke written authorization at any time, so long as your revocation is in writing. Once we receive your written revocation, it will only be effective for future uses and disclosures. It will not be effective for any information that may have been used or disclosed in reliance upon the written authorization and prior to receiving your written revocation. You may elect to opt out of receiving fundraising communications from us at any time.

Your Rights

You have the following rights with respect to your protected health information:

Right to Inspect and Copy

You have the right to inspect and copy certain protected health information that may be used to make decisions about your health care benefits. To inspect and copy your protected health information, submit your request in writing to the Privacy Officer at the address provided above under Contact Information. If you request a copy of the information, we may charge a reasonable fee for the costs of copying, mailing, or other supplies associated with your request. We may deny your request to inspect and copy in certain very limited circumstances. If you are denied access to your medical information, you may have a right to request that the denial be reviewed and you will be provided with details on how to do so.

Right to Amend

If you feel that the protected health information we have about you is incorrect or incomplete, you may ask us to amend the information. You have the right to request an amendment for as long as the information is kept by or for the Plan. To request an amendment, your request must be made in writing and submitted to the Privacy Officer at the address provided above under Contact Information. In addition, you must provide a reason that supports your request. We may deny your request for an amendment if it is not in writing or does not include a reason to support the request. In addition, we may deny your request if you ask us to amend information that:

  • is not part of the medical information kept by or for the Plan;
  • was not created by us, unless the person or entity that created the information is no longer available to make the amendment;
  • is not part of the information that you would be permitted to inspect and copy; or
  • is already accurate and complete.

If we deny your request, you have the right to file a statement of disagreement with us and any future disclosures of the disputed information will include your statement.

Right to an Accounting of Disclosures

You have the right to request an "accounting" of certain disclosures of your protected health information. The accounting will not include (1) disclosures for purposes of treatment, payment, or health care operations; (2) disclosures made to you; (3) disclosures made pursuant to your authorization; (4) disclosures made to friends or family in your presence or because of an emergency; (5) disclosures for national security purposes; and (6) disclosures incidental to otherwise permissible disclosures.

To request this list or accounting of disclosures, you must submit your request in writing to the Privacy Officer at the address provided above under Contact Information. Your request must state a time period of no longer than six years (three years for electronic health records) or the period the Plan has been subject to the HIPAA Privacy rules, if shorter.

Your request should indicate in what form you want the list (for example, paper or electronic). We will attempt to provide the accounting in the format you requested or in another mutually agreeable format if the requested format is not reasonably feasible. The first list you request within a 12-month period will be provided free of charge. For additional lists, we may charge you for the costs of providing the list. We will notify you of the cost involved and you may choose to withdraw or modify your request at that time before any costs are incurred.

Right to Request Restrictions

You have the right to request a restriction or limitation on your protected health information that we use or disclose for treatment, payment, or health care operations. You also have the right to request a limit on your protected health information that we disclose to someone who is involved in your care or the payment for your care, such as a family member or friend. For example, you could ask that we not use or disclose information about a surgery that you had.

We are not required to agree to your request. However, if we do agree to the request, we will honor the restriction until you revoke it or we notify you. To request restrictions, you must make your request in writing to the Privacy Officer at the address provided above under Contact Information. In your request, you must tell us (1) what information you want to limit; (2) whether you want to limit our use, disclosure, or both; and (3) to whom you want the limits to apply—for example, disclosures to your spouse.

Right to Request Confidential Communications

You have the right to request that we communicate with you about medical matters in a certain way or at a certain location. For example, you can ask that we only contact you at work or by mail. To request confidential communications, you must make your request in writing to the Privacy Officer at the address provided above under Contact Information. We will not ask you the reason for your request. Your request must specify how or where you wish to be contacted. We will accommodate all reasonable requests if you clearly provide information that the disclosure of all or part of your protected information could endanger you.

Right to a Paper Copy of This Notice

You have the right to a paper copy of this notice. You may ask us to give you a copy of this notice at any time. Even if you have agreed to receive this notice electronically, you are still entitled to a paper copy of this notice. To obtain a paper copy of this notice, telephone or write the Privacy Officer as provided above under Contact Information.

For more information, please see Your Rights Under HIPAA.

Complaints

If you believe that your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with the Plan or with the Office for Civil Rights of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. You can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights by sending a letter to 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20201, calling 1-877-696-6775, or visiting https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/filing-a-complaint/complaint-process/index.html.

To file a complaint with the Plan, telephone or write the Privacy Officer as provided above under Contact Information. You will not be penalized, or in any other way retaliated against, for filing a complaint with the Office of Civil Rights or with us. You should keep a copy of any notices you send to the Plan Administrator or the Privacy Officer for your records.

General Notice of COBRA Continuation Coverage Rights

(For use by single-employer group health plans)
Continuation Coverage Rights Under COBRA

Introduction

You're getting this notice because you recently gained coverage under a group health plan (the Plan). This notice has important information about your right to COBRA continuation coverage, which is a temporary extension of coverage under the Plan. This notice explains COBRA continuation coverage, when it may become available to you and your family, and what you need to do to protect your right to get it. When you become eligible for COBRA, you may also become eligible for other coverage options that may cost less than COBRA continuation coverage.

The right to COBRA continuation coverage was created by a federal law, the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA). COBRA continuation coverage can become available to you and other members of your family when group health coverage would otherwise end. For more information about your rights and obligations under the Plan and under federal law, you should review the Plan's Summary Plan Description or contact the Plan Administrator.

You may have other options available to you when you lose group health coverage. For example, you may be eligible to buy an individual plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace. By enrolling in coverage through the Marketplace, you may qualify for lower costs on your monthly premiums and lower out-of-pocket costs. Additionally, you may qualify for a 30-day special enrollment period for another group health plan for which you are eligible (such as a spouse's plan), even if that plan generally does not accept late enrollees.

What is COBRA continuation coverage?

COBRA continuation coverage is a continuation of Plan coverage when it would otherwise end because of a life event. This is also called a "qualifying event." Specific qualifying events are listed later in this notice. After a qualifying event, COBRA continuation coverage must be offered to each person who is a "qualified beneficiary." You, your spouse, and your dependent children could become qualified beneficiaries if coverage under the Plan is lost because of the qualifying event. Under the Plan, qualified beneficiaries who elect COBRA continuation coverage must pay for COBRA continuation coverage.

If you're an employee, you'll become a qualified beneficiary if you lose your coverage under the Plan because of the following qualifying events:

  • Your hours of employment are reduced, or
  • Your employment ends for any reason other than your gross misconduct.

If you're the spouse of an employee, you'll become a qualified beneficiary if you lose your coverage under the Plan because of the following qualifying events:

  • Your spouse dies;
  • Your spouse's hours of employment are reduced;
  • Your spouse's employment ends for any reason other than his or her gross misconduct;
  • Your spouse becomes entitled to Medicare benefits (under Part A, Part B, or both); or
  • You become divorced or legally separated from your spouse.

Your dependent children will become qualified beneficiaries if they lose coverage under the Plan because of the following qualifying events:

  • The parent-employee dies;
  • The parent-employee's hours of employment are reduced;
  • The parent-employee's employment ends for any reason other than his or her gross misconduct;
  • The parent-employee becomes entitled to Medicare benefits (Part A, Part B, or both);
  • The parents become divorced or legally separated; or
  • The child stops being eligible for coverage under the Plan as a "dependent child."

If the Plan provides retiree health coverage, sometimes, filing a proceeding in bankruptcy under title 11 of the United States Code can be a qualifying event. If a proceeding in a bankruptcy is filed with respect to Uplift Education and that bankruptcy results in the loss of coverage of any retired employee covered under the Plan, the retired employee will become a qualified beneficiary. The retired employee's spouse, surviving spouse, and dependent children will also become qualified beneficiaries if bankruptcy results in the loss of coverage under the Plan.

When is COBRA continuation coverage available?

The Plan will offer COBRA continuation coverage to qualified beneficiaries only after the Plan Administrator has been notified that a qualifying event has occurred. The employer must notify the Plan Administrator of the following qualifying events:

  • The end of employment or reduction of hours of employment;
  • Death of the employee;
  • If the Plan provides retiree health coverage, commencement of a proceeding in bankruptcy with respect to the employer; or
  • The employee's becoming entitled to Medicare benefits (under Part A, Part B, or both).

For all qualifying events (divorce or legal separation of the employee and spouse or a dependent child's losing eligibility for coverage as a dependent child), you must notify the Plan Administrator in writing within 60 days. You must provide this written notice to Jessica O'Leary at 3000 Pegasus Park Drive, Suite 1100, Dallas TX 75247.

How is COBRA continuation coverage provided?

Once the Plan Administrator receives notice that a qualifying event has occurred, COBRA continuation coverage will be offered to each of the qualified beneficiaries. Each qualified beneficiary will have an independent right to elect COBRA continuation coverage. Covered employees may elect COBRA continuation coverage on behalf of their spouses, and parents may elect COBRA continuation coverage on behalf of their children.

COBRA continuation coverage is a temporary continuation of coverage that generally lasts for 18 months due to employment termination or reduction of hours of work. Certain qualifying events, or a second qualifying event during the initial period of coverage, may permit a beneficiary to receive a maximum of 36 months of coverage.

There are also ways in which this 18-month period of COBRA continuation coverage can be extended:

Disability extension of 18-month period of COBRA continuation coverage

If you or anyone in your family covered under the Plan is determined by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to be disabled and you timely notify the Plan Administrator in writing, you and your covered dependents may be entitled to receive up to an additional 11 months of COBRA continuation coverage, for a total maximum of 29 months. The disability would have to have started at some time before the 60th day of COBRA continuation coverage and must last at least until the end of the 18-month period of COBRA continuation coverage.

In order for this disability extension to apply, you must timely notify the Plan Administrator in writing of the SSA disability determination before the end of the 18-month period of continuation coverage and within 60 days after the later of (i) the date of the initial qualifying event; (ii) the date on which coverage would be lost because of the initial qualifying event; or (iii) the date of the SSA disability determination. This notice must be mailed to Jessica O'Leary at 3000 Pegasus Park Drive, Suite 1100, Dallas TX 75247. Oral notice, including notice by telephone, is not acceptable. The written notice must include the name and address of the employee covered under the plan; the name of the disabled qualified beneficiary; the date that the qualified beneficiary became disabled; and the date that the SSA made its determination of disability. Your notice must also include a copy of the SSA disability determination. If these procedures are not followed or if written notice is not provided to the Plan Administrator within the required time period, there will be no disability extension of COBRA continuation coverage. You must also notify the Plan Administrator within 30 days of any revocation of Social Security disability benefits.

Second qualifying event extension of 18-month period of continuation coverage

If your family experiences another qualifying event during the 18 months of COBRA continuation coverage, the spouse and dependent children in your family can get up to 18 additional months of COBRA continuation coverage, for a maximum of 36 months, if the Plan is properly notified about the second qualifying event. This extension may be available to the spouse and any dependent children getting COBRA continuation coverage if the employee or former employee dies; becomes entitled to Medicare benefits (under Part A, Part B, or both); gets divorced or legally separated; or if the dependent child stops being eligible under the Plan as a dependent child. This extension is only available if the second qualifying event would have caused the spouse or dependent child to lose coverage under the Plan had the first qualifying event not occurred.

Are there other coverage options besides COBRA Continuation Coverage?

Yes. Instead of enrolling in COBRA continuation coverage, there may be other coverage options for you and your family through the Health Insurance Marketplace, Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), or other group health plan coverage options (such as a spouse's plan) through what is called a "special enrollment period." Some of these options may cost less than COBRA continuation coverage. You can learn more about many of these options at www.healthcare.gov.

Can I enroll in Medicare instead of COBRA continuation coverage after my group health plan coverage ends?

In general, if you don't enroll in Medicare Part A or B when you are first eligible because you are still employed, after the Medicare initial enrollment period, you have an 8-month special enrollment period to sign up for Medicare Part A or B, beginning on the earlier of:

  • The month after your employment ends; or
  • The month after group health plan coverage based on current employment ends.

If you don't enroll in Medicare and elect COBRA continuation coverage instead, you may have to pay a Part B late enrollment penalty and you may have a gap in coverage if you decide you want Part B later. If you elect COBRA continuation coverage and later enroll in Medicare Part A or B before the COBRA continuation coverage ends, the Plan may terminate your continuation coverage. However, if Medicare Part A or B is effective on or before the date of the COBRA election, COBRA coverage may not be discontinued on account of Medicare entitlement, even if you enroll in the other part of Medicare after the date of the election of COBRA coverage.

If you are enrolled in both COBRA continuation coverage and Medicare, Medicare will generally pay first (primary payer) and COBRA continuation coverage will pay second. Certain plans may pay as if secondary to Medicare, even if you are not enrolled in Medicare.

For more information visit https://www.medicare.gov/medicare-and-you.

If you have questions

Questions concerning your Plan or your COBRA continuation coverage rights should be addressed to the contact or contacts identified below. For more information about your rights under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), including COBRA, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and other laws affecting group health plans, contact the nearest Regional or District Office of the U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) in your area or visit www.dol.gov/ebsa. For more information about the Marketplace, visit www.HealthCare.gov.

Keep your Plan informed of address changes

To protect your family's rights, let the Plan Administrator know about any changes in the addresses of family members. You should also keep a copy, for your records, of any notices you send to the Plan Administrator.

Plan Contact Information

BCBS TX medical plans
Uplift Education
3000 Pegasus Park Drive, Suite 1100
Dallas TX 75247
469-621-8500

Medicare Part D Creditable Coverage Notice

Important Notice from Uplift Education

About your Prescription Drug Coverage and Medicare

Please read this notice carefully and keep it where you can find it. This notice has information about your current prescription drug coverage offered by the BCBS TX medical plans through Uplift Education and about your options under Medicare's prescription drug coverage. This information can help you decide whether or not you want to join a Medicare drug plan. If you are considering joining, you should compare your current coverage, including which drugs are covered at what cost, with the coverage and costs of the plans offering Medicare prescription drug coverage in your area. Information about where you can get help to make decisions about your prescription drug coverage is at the end of this notice.

There are two important things you need to know about your current coverage and Medicare's prescription drug coverage:

  • 1. Medicare prescription drug coverage became available in 2006 to everyone with Medicare. You can get this coverage if you join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan or join a Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO) that offers prescription drug coverage. All Medicare drug plans provide at least a standard level of coverage set by Medicare. Some plans may also offer more coverage for a higher monthly premium.
  • 2. Uplift Education has determined that the prescription drug coverage offered by the BCBS TX medical plans is, on average for all plan participants, expected to pay out as much as standard Medicare prescription drug coverage pays and is therefore considered Creditable Coverage. Because your existing coverage is Creditable Coverage, you can keep this coverage and not pay a higher premium (a penalty) if you later decide to join a Medicare drug plan.

When Can You Join A Medicare Drug Plan?

You can join a Medicare drug plan when you first become eligible for Medicare and each year from October 15th through December 7th.

However, if you lose your current creditable prescription drug coverage, through no fault of your own, you will also be eligible for a two (2) month Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to join a Medicare drug plan.

What Happens To Your Current Coverage If You Decide to Join A Medicare Drug Plan?

If you decide to join a Medicare drug plan, your current coverage through Uplift Education will not be affected. You can keep this coverage if you elect Part D, and this plan will coordinate with Part D coverage.

If you decide to join a Medicare drug plan and drop your current group health coverage through Uplift Education, be aware that you and your dependents will be able to get this coverage back. If you are able to get this coverage back, reentry into the plan is subject to the underlying terms of the Plan.

When Will You Pay A Higher Premium (Penalty) To Join A Medicare Drug Plan?

You should also know that if you drop or lose your current group health coverage through Uplift Education and don't join a Medicare drug plan within 63 continuous days after your current coverage ends, you may pay a higher premium (a penalty) to join a Medicare drug plan later.

If you go 63 continuous days or longer without creditable prescription drug coverage, your monthly premium may go up by at least 1% of the Medicare base beneficiary premium per month for every month that you did not have that coverage. For example, if you go nineteen months without creditable coverage, your premium may consistently be at least 19% higher than the Medicare base beneficiary premium. You may have to pay this higher premium (a penalty) as long as you have Medicare prescription drug coverage. In addition, you may have to wait until the following October to join.

For More Information About This Notice Or Your Current Prescription Drug Coverage…

Contact the Plan Administrator listed below for further information. NOTE: You'll get this notice each year or if the creditable coverage status of this plan through Uplift Education changes. You may request a copy of this notice at any time.

For More Information About Your Options Under Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage…

More detailed information about Medicare plans that offer prescription drug coverage is in the "Medicare & You" handbook. You'll get a copy of the handbook in the mail every year from Medicare. You may also be contacted directly by Medicare drug plans.

For more information about Medicare prescription drug coverage:

  • Visit www.medicare.gov
  • Call your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (see the inside back cover of your copy of the "Medicare & You" handbook for their telephone number) for personalized help
  • Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.

If you have limited income and resources, extra help paying for Medicare prescription drug coverage is available. For information about this extra help, visit Social Security on the web at www.socialsecurity.gov, or call them at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

Plan Contact Information

For purposes of this notice, the Plan Administrator is:
Jessica O'Leary
469-621-8500

Remember: Keep this Creditable Coverage notice. If you decide to join one of the Medicare drug plans, you may be required to provide a copy of this notice when you join to show whether or not you have maintained creditable coverage, and therefore, whether or not you are required to pay a higher premium (a penalty).

Premium Assistance Under Medicaid and the
Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

If you or your children are eligible for Medicaid or CHIP and you're eligible for health coverage from your employer, your state may have a premium assistance program that can help pay for coverage, using funds from their Medicaid or CHIP programs. If you or your children aren't eligible for Medicaid or CHIP, you won't be eligible for these premium assistance programs but you may be able to buy individual insurance coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. For more information, visit www.healthcare.gov.

If you or your dependents are already enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP and you live in a State listed below, contact your State Medicaid or CHIP office to find out if premium assistance is available.

If you or your dependents are NOT currently enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP, and you think you or any of your dependents might be eligible for either of these programs, contact your State Medicaid or CHIP office or dial 1-877-KIDS NOW or www.insurekidsnow.gov to find out how to apply. If you qualify, ask your state if it has a program that might help you pay the premiums for an employer-sponsored plan.

If you or your dependents are eligible for premium assistance under Medicaid or CHIP, as well as eligible under your employer plan, your employer must allow you to enroll in your employer plan if you aren't already enrolled. This is called a "special enrollment" opportunity, and you must request coverage within 60 days of being determined eligible for premium assistance. If you have questions about enrolling in your employer plan, contact the Department of Labor at www.askebsa.dol.gov or call 1-866-444-EBSA (3272).

If you live in one of the following states, you may be eligible for assistance paying your employer health plan premiums. The following list of states is current as of January 31, 2026. Contact your State for more information on eligibility –

ALABAMA – Medicaid
Website: http://myalhipp.com/
Phone: 1-855-692-5447
ALASKA – Medicaid
The AK Health Insurance Premium Payment Program
Website: http://myakhipp.com/
Phone: 1-866-251-4861
Email: CustomerService@MyAKHIPP.com
Medicaid Eligibility: https://health.alaska.gov/dpa/Pages/default.aspx
ARKANSAS – Medicaid
Website: http://myarhipp.com/
Phone: 1-855-MyARHIPP (855-692-7447)
CALIFORNIA – Medicaid
Health Insurance Premium Payment (HIPP) Program Website: http://dhcs.ca.gov/hipp
Phone: 916-445-8322
Fax: 916-440-5676
Email: hipp@dhcs.ca.gov
COLORADO – Health First Colorado (Colorado's Medicaid Program) & Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+)
Health First Colorado Website: https://www.healthfirstcolorado.com/
Health First Colorado Member Contact Center: 1-800-221-3943/State Relay 711
CHP+: https://hcpf.colorado.gov/child-health-plan-plus
CHP+ Customer Service: 1-800-359-1991/State Relay 711
Health Insurance Buy-In Program (HIBI): https://www.mycohibi.com/
HIBI Customer Service: 1-855-692-6442
FLORIDA – Medicaid
Website: https://www.flmedicaidtplrecovery.com/flmedicaidtplrecovery.com/hipp/index.html
Phone: 1-877-357-3268
GEORGIA – Medicaid
GA HIPP Website: https://medicaid.georgia.gov/health-insurance-premium-payment-program-hipp
Phone: 678-564-1162, Press 1
GA CHIPRA Website: https://medicaid.georgia.gov/programs/third-party-liability/childrens-health-insurance-program-reauthorization-act-2009-chipra
Phone: 678-564-1162, Press 2
INDIANA – Medicaid
Health Insurance Premium Payment Program
All other Medicaid
Website: https://www.in.gov/medicaid/
http://www.in.gov/fssa/dfr/
Family and Social Services Administration
Phone: 1-800-403-0864
Member Services Phone: 1-800-457-4584
IOWA – Medicaid and CHIP (Hawki)
Medicaid Website: Iowa Medicaid | Health & Human Services
Medicaid Phone: 1-800-338-8366
Hawki Website: Hawki - Healthy and Well Kids in Iowa | Health & Human Services
Hawki Phone: 1-800-257-8563
HIPP Website: Health Insurance Premium Payment (HIPP) | Health & Human Services (iowa.gov)
HIPP Phone: 1-888-346-9562
KANSAS – Medicaid
Website: https://www.kancare.ks.gov/
Phone: 1-800-792-4884
HIPP Phone: 1-800-967-4660
KENTUCKY – Medicaid
Kentucky Integrated Health Insurance Premium Payment Program (KI-HIPP) Website: https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dms/member/Pages/kihipp.aspx
Phone: 1-855-459-6328
Email: KIHIPP.PROGRAM@ky.gov
KCHIP Website: https://kynect.ky.gov
Phone: 1-877-524-4718
Kentucky Medicaid Website: https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dms
LOUISIANA – Medicaid
Louisiana Medicaid Website: https://www.ldh.la.gov/healthy-louisiana
Medicaid Customer Service Line: 1-888-342-6207
Louisiana Medicaid email: healthy@la.gov
Louisiana Health Insurance Premium Program (LaHIPP) Website: https://www.ldh.la.gov/lahipp
LaHIPP phone: 1-877-697-6703
LaHIPP email: La.HIPP@la.gov
LaHIPP fax: 1-888-716-9787
LaHIPP mailing address: 100 Crescent Centre Parkway, Suite 1000 Tucker, GA 30084
MAINE – Medicaid
Enrollment Website: https://www.mymaineconnection.gov/benefits/s/?language=en_US
Phone: 1-800-442-6003
TTY: Maine relay 711
Private Health Insurance Premium Webpage: https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/ofi/applications-forms
Phone: 1-800-977-6740
TTY: Maine relay 711
MASSACHUSETTS – Medicaid and CHIP
Website: https://www.mass.gov/masshealth/pa
Phone: 1-800-862-4840
TTY: 711
Email: masspremassistance@accenture.com
MINNESOTA – Medicaid
Website: https://mn.gov/dhs/health-care-coverage/
Phone: 1-800-657-3672
MISSOURI – Medicaid
Website: http://www.dss.mo.gov/mhd/participants/pages/hipp.htm
Phone: 573-751-2005
MONTANA – Medicaid
Website: http://dphhs.mt.gov/MontanaHealthcarePrograms/HIPP
Phone: 1-800-694-3084
Email: HHSHIPPProgram@mt.gov
NEBRASKA – Medicaid
Website: http://www.ACCESSNebraska.ne.gov
Phone: 1-855-632-7633
Lincoln: 402-473-7000
Omaha: 402-595-1178
NEVADA – Medicaid
Medicaid Website: http://dhcfp.nv.gov
Medicaid Phone: 1-800-992-0900
NEW HAMPSHIRE – Medicaid
Website: https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/medicaid/health-insurance-premium-program
Phone: 603-271-5218
Toll free number for the HIPP program: 1-800-852-3345, ext. 15218
Email: DHHS.ThirdPartyLiabi@dhhs.nh.gov
NEW JERSEY – Medicaid and CHIP
Medicaid Website: http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dmahs/clients/medicaid/
Phone: 1-800-356-1561
CHIP Premium Assistance Phone: 609-631-2392
CHIP Website: http://www.njfamilycare.org/index.html
CHIP Phone: 1-800-701-0710 (TTY: 711)
NEW YORK – Medicaid
Website: https://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/
Phone: 1-800-541-2831
NORTH CAROLINA – Medicaid
Website: https://medicaid.ncdhhs.gov/
Phone: 919-855-4100
NORTH DAKOTA – Medicaid
Website: https://www.hhs.nd.gov/healthcare
Phone: 1-844-854-4825
OKLAHOMA – Medicaid and CHIP
Website: http://www.insureoklahoma.org
Phone: 1-888-365-3742
OREGON – Medicaid and CHIP
Website: http://healthcare.oregon.gov/Pages/index.aspx
Phone: 1-800-699-9075
PENNSYLVANIA – Medicaid and CHIP
Website: https://www.pa.gov/en/services/dhs/apply-for-medicaid-health-insurance-premium-payment-program-hipp.html
Phone: 1-800-692-7462
CHIP Website: Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) (pa.gov)
CHIP Phone: 1-800-986-KIDS (5437)
RHODE ISLAND – Medicaid and CHIP
Website: http://www.eohhs.ri.gov/
Phone: 1-855-697-4347, or
401-462-0311 (Direct RIte Share Line)
SOUTH CAROLINA – Medicaid
Website: https://www.scdhhs.gov
Phone: 1-888-549-0820
SOUTH DAKOTA - Medicaid
Website: http://dss.sd.gov
Phone: 1-888-828-0059
TEXAS – Medicaid
Website: Health Insurance Premium Payment (HIPP) Program | Texas Health and Human Services
Phone: 1-800-440-0493
UTAH – Medicaid and CHIP
Utah's Premium Partnership for Health Insurance (UPP)
Website: https://medicaid.utah.gov/upp/
Email: upp@utah.gov
Phone: 1-888-222-2542
Adult Expansion Website: https://medicaid.utah.gov/expansion/
Utah Medicaid Buyout Program Website: https://medicaid.utah.gov/buyout-program/
CHIP Website: https://chip.utah.gov/
VERMONT– Medicaid
Website: Health Insurance Premium Payment (HIPP) Program | Department of Vermont Health Access
Phone: 1-800-250-8427
VIRGINIA – Medicaid and CHIP
Website: https://coverva.dmas.virginia.gov/learn/premium-assistance/famis-select
 https://coverva.dmas.virginia.gov/learn/premium-assistance/health-insurance-premium-payment-hipp-programs
Medicaid/CHIP Phone: 1-800-432-5924
WASHINGTON – Medicaid
Website: https://www.hca.wa.gov/
Phone: 1-800-562-3022
WEST VIRGINIA – Medicaid and CHIP
Website: https://dhhr.wv.gov/bms/
 http://mywvhipp.com/
Medicaid Phone: 304-558-1700
CHIP Toll-free phone: 1-855-MyWVHIPP (1-855-699-8447)
WISCONSIN – Medicaid and CHIP
Website: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/badgercareplus/p-10095.htm
Phone: 1-800-362-3002
WYOMING – Medicaid
Website: https://health.wyo.gov/healthcarefin/medicaid/programs-and-eligibility/
Phone: 1-800-251-1269

To see if any other states have added a premium assistance program since January 31, 2026, or for more information on special enrollment rights, contact either:

U.S. Department of Labor
Employee Benefits Security Administration
www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa
1-866-444-EBSA (3272)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
www.cms.hhs.gov
1-877-267-2323, Menu Option 4, Ext. 61565

Paperwork Reduction Act Statement

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13) (PRA), no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. The Department notes that a Federal agency cannot conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it is approved by OMB under the PRA, and displays a currently valid OMB control number, and the public is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. See 44 U.S.C. 3507. Also, notwithstanding any other provisions of law, no person shall be subject to penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if the collection of information does not display a currently valid OMB control number. See 44 U.S.C. 3512.

The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average approximately seven minutes per respondent. Interested parties are encouraged to send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Office of Policy and Research, Attention: PRA Clearance Officer, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Room N-5718, Washington, DC 20210 or email ebsa.opr@dol.gov and reference the OMB Control Number 1210-0137.

OMB Control Number 1210-0137 (expires 4/30/2026)