Certificate of Creditable Coverage- WHAT IS IT AND WHY DO I NEED IT?

"Certificate of Creditable Coverage" or commonly referred to as a "COCC" is a written document provided to you by an insurance company after you terminate their coverage.  Most healthcare programs impose a waiting period for a pre-existing condition for all new or reinstated members who have had a break of coverage for 63 days or more.  The certificate of creditable coverage indicates the length of time you have been continuously covered under the plan and allows waiver of any waiting period related to a pre-existing condition.  This is part of the Federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (often referred to as HIPAA) and this provision provides that once you have been continuously insured for at least 18 months there is no need to satisfy another waiting period when you change health insurance.
Certificates are generated automatically within a few weeks of a member's termination.  If you do not receive a Certificate by mail within 30 days of termination, contact the carrier by calling Member Services on the back of your ID card to verify your mailing address and request another Certificate to be sent.

HSA Limits for 2013

The Internal Revenue Service has released the 2013 inflation adjustments for HSAs:

2013 Annual Contribution Limit:
 Single coverage: $3,250 (up from $3,100 in 2012)
Family coverage: $6,450 (up from $6,250 in 2012)

2013 Minimum Deductible for HDHP:
 Single coverage: $1,250 (up from $1,200 in 2012)
Family coverage: $2,500 (up from $2,400 in 2012)

2013 Maximum Out-of-pocket:
 Single coverage: $6,250 (up from $6,050 in 2012)
Family coverage: $12,500 (up from $12,100 in 2012)