Health insurance rights & protections
Summary of Benefits and Coverage
You have the right to an easy-to-understand summary about a health plan’s benefits and coverage.
Insurance companies and job-based health plans must provide you with:
- A short, plain-language Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC)
- A Uniform Glossary of terms used in health coverage and medical care
This information helps you make “apples-to-apples” comparisons when you’re looking at plans.
The SBC also includes details, called coverage examples, which show you what the plan would cover in 2 common medical situations: diabetes care and childbirth.
Does this apply to my plan?
Yes. You can get a Summary of Benefits and Coverage for all individual and job-based health plans, including grandfathered plans.
More answers
- Sample SBC form (PDF - 250 KB)
- Uniform Glossary (PDF - 124 KB)
You’ll find a link to the SBC on each plan page when you preview plans and prices before logging in, and when you've finished your application and are comparing plans.
You can ask for a copy from your insurance company or group health plan any time. All health plans must provide the SBC at important points in the enrollment process, like when you apply for or renew your policy.
You can also ask for a copy of the Uniform Glossary to help you understand words used in health coverage and medical care.
You can ask for a copy from your insurance company or group health plan any time. All health plans must provide the SBC at important points in the enrollment process, like when you apply for or renew your policy.
You can also ask for a copy of the Uniform Glossary to help you understand words used in health coverage and medical care.
You may be able to get the SBC and Uniform Glossary in a language other than English upon request. Learn more about resources in languages other than English.