Which program provides health insurance for employees after they have left their job?

The program that provides health insurance for employees after they have left their job is COBRA, which stands for the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. This federal law allows employees and their families to continue their health insurance coverage for a limited period after employment ends, usually for up to 18 months, although it can be extended in certain circumstances.

COBRA is designed to protect individuals from losing their health benefits due to job loss, reduction in working hours, or other qualifying events. It requires employers who offer health insurance to provide an opportunity for former employees to maintain their group health coverage, albeit typically at the full premium cost, which may include additional administrative fees.

The other options serve different purposes: the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides job-protected leave for certain family and medical reasons, Medicare is a federal health insurance program primarily for individuals aged 65 and older, and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) focuses on the protection of patient health information and the transferability of health insurance coverage. None of these provide the same post-employment continuation of health insurance benefits that COBRA does.