Health Care Law What s in Effect What s Still to Come
Health Care Law: What's in Effect, What's Still to Come
Greater consumer protections against insurance cancellations A common practice among insurers seeking to deny payments for costly medical care has been to re-examine customers' initial applications and cancel or "rescind" policies. Now, due to the health care law, as long as you pay your premiumns, your health insurance is guaranteed. The health care law because of unintentional mistakes or minor omissions on an application.
An end to lifetime limits on health insurance coverage Insurers can no longer limit how much they will pay out in . This benefit is now automatically in effect on all insurance policies.
Higher annual limits on health insurance coverage Most insurance plans must now cover medical expenses up to at least $1.25 million per year. (See for more about ).
Expanded coverage for adult children up to age 26 Young adults who don't have access to an employer health plan can now stay on a , even if they are married or don't live at home. Previously, most insurance plans kicked young adults off family policies when they turned 18 or, if the young adult was in college, soon after graduation.
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Free wellness care for babies and children Children are eligible for from birth to age 21.
Insurance supports for small-business employers have been established for small business owners who want to provide health insurance to their workers. Next page:
Alyne Ellis, host of AARP Radio's Prime Time Focus, explores the impact the health care law has had and will have on individuals and families. (To listen, click the arrow in the audio player above or select the link below.)
The creation of health insurance exchanges Also in 2014, most individuals and families will be required to carry a . People without employer or other group coverage will be able to purchase insurance more affordably through state-based health . Premium subsidies will be available for individuals and families with limited incomes. People who select not to have health insurance coverage .
Expanded mental health and substance abuse services While many group insurance plans today do include , by 2014 most individual and small group insurance plans will be required to do the same.
An end to annual insurance limits on health coverage In 2013, insurers will be required to of up to $2 million per year. In 2014, the coverage limit will be eliminated entirely.
Insurance coverage for more low-income people In 2014, more people will be , the federally run public health insurance program for low-income people.
End of the Medicare Part D Doughnut Hole In 2020, the Medicare Part D coverage gap, or . Also of Interest:
The Health Care Law What' s in Effect What' s Still to Come
Benefits are in place with more coming through 2014
Photo by Getty Images/Blend Images Much of the health care law is in effect now. The — also referred to as the health care law or "Obamacare" — was signed into law on March 23, 2010. See also: Last June, . And starting this October, people who have been denied coverage because of a pre-existing health condition, or haven't been to afford the high costs of individually purchased insurance, will be able to sign up for lower-priced group plans. These policies, and other protections in the law, will go into effect on January 1, 2014. Here's your at-a-glance guide to the provisions and benefits available now, as well as some still to come.Benefits in Effect Now
Expanded coverage for preventive care and screenings People who have Medicare Part B as well as those covered by many individual and employer-sponsored health plans are eligible for free — i.e., no deductibles or copayments — preventive and wellness benefits, such as annual health exams, immunizations, mammograms and other screenings for diseases including diabetes and certain cancers. For instance, Medicare Part B enrollees can have a free wellness visit with their doctor every year. (See ) People with other types of insurance can ask their insurance company or physician about the now available to them.Related
New options for people with pre-existing conditions Soon after passage of the law, adults whom private insurers considered to be "high-risk" and uninsurable due to prior or current health problems — and who had been uninsured for at least six months — were able to buy temporary insurance through the federal . More than 100,000 people enrolled in the program. Starting on January 1, 2014, all Americans will be eligible to purchase affordable insurance regardless of their health status or pre-existing medical conditions. Lowered costs for people in the Medicare Part D "Doughnut Hole" People with Medicare Part D who fall into the prescription drug coverage gap receive a 52.5 percent discount on most brand-name prescriptions and biologic drugs, as well as a discount on generic drugs. For 2013, the generic drug discount is 21 percent. (To learn more, see the Ms. Medicare columns and ) Since the law's enactment, more than 6.1 million people with Medicare have saved $5.7 billion on prescription drugs. In 2012, Part D enrollees who reached the gap saved an average of in their prescription costs.Greater consumer protections against insurance cancellations A common practice among insurers seeking to deny payments for costly medical care has been to re-examine customers' initial applications and cancel or "rescind" policies. Now, due to the health care law, as long as you pay your premiumns, your health insurance is guaranteed. The health care law because of unintentional mistakes or minor omissions on an application.
An end to lifetime limits on health insurance coverage Insurers can no longer limit how much they will pay out in . This benefit is now automatically in effect on all insurance policies.
Higher annual limits on health insurance coverage Most insurance plans must now cover medical expenses up to at least $1.25 million per year. (See for more about ).
Expanded coverage for adult children up to age 26 Young adults who don't have access to an employer health plan can now stay on a , even if they are married or don't live at home. Previously, most insurance plans kicked young adults off family policies when they turned 18 or, if the young adult was in college, soon after graduation.
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Listen
As more provisions in the Affordable Care Act kick in, now’s the time to understand how the law can help you and your family. Prime Time Focus host Alyne Ellis has the details. Insurance supports for early retirees If you have retiree health coverage through your work and are between 55 and 64, funding from the new can help your former employer maintain your health benefit until you reach Medicare age. Greater protections for children with pre-existing conditions Under most individual and group insurance plans, can no longer be denied coverage.Free wellness care for babies and children Children are eligible for from birth to age 21.
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Easy-to-use resources for finding affordable insurance Consumers seeking to research private and public health insurance plans, obtain rate information, and better understand their can now visit a one-stop shopping website established by the federal government. Easier access to specialty care Among the provisions in effect now are rules that prevent insurance companies from requiring primary-care physician referrals for ob/gyn visits or out-of-network emergency care. Expanded rights of appeal If an insurer rejects a claim or cancels coverage, customers of most plans now have the the decision to an outside review panel. Unlike in the past, insurers will have to abide by that group's findings. Greater protections for nursing home residents The new health care law provides expanded resources, such as access to quality ratings and complaint reports, for families seeking nursing home care and .Insurance supports for small-business employers have been established for small business owners who want to provide health insurance to their workers. Next page:
Benefits Still to Come br
An end to denials and expensive premiums due to gender or pre-existing conditions As of will no longer be able to deny adults health coverage because of pre-existing conditions, or charge higher premiums due to gender or gender-specific medical needs, such as childbearing.Health Law Overview
Alyne Ellis, host of AARP Radio's Prime Time Focus, explores the impact the health care law has had and will have on individuals and families. (To listen, click the arrow in the audio player above or select the link below.)
The creation of health insurance exchanges Also in 2014, most individuals and families will be required to carry a . People without employer or other group coverage will be able to purchase insurance more affordably through state-based health . Premium subsidies will be available for individuals and families with limited incomes. People who select not to have health insurance coverage .
Expanded mental health and substance abuse services While many group insurance plans today do include , by 2014 most individual and small group insurance plans will be required to do the same.
An end to annual insurance limits on health coverage In 2013, insurers will be required to of up to $2 million per year. In 2014, the coverage limit will be eliminated entirely.
Insurance coverage for more low-income people In 2014, more people will be , the federally run public health insurance program for low-income people.
End of the Medicare Part D Doughnut Hole In 2020, the Medicare Part D coverage gap, or . Also of Interest: