Health Care Reform Is Here!
It’s finally here.
Families across the country can breathe a sigh of relief now that we have reached a major milestone of the new health care law. Starting today, many of the provisions of the new health reform law go into effect! Because of the new law, families will no longer have to worry about their children being denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition (and starting in 2014, no one will have that worry), being dropped from insurance, or facing bankruptcy because of reaching the “lifetime limit” on insurance coverage and still needing expensive health care. Health plans don't have to implement the provisions until their next annual renewal date (so for plans that begin their coverage year on Jan. 1, 2011, that's when the changes will start). Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, the law is finally on our side!
However, some people have spread confusion about the new law. That’s why it’s so important that all of us to get the facts out about our new health care rights under this new law. We need to make sure our families, friends and neighbors understand how the new law will help them.
Take a look at the health care changes going into effect on September 23, 2010, and then send them along to your friends and family:
And if you want more information, visit Healthcare.gov or Families USA's summary of the new health reform law.
No More Getting Dropped After You Get Sick: You can no longer be cut after the fact.
Free Preventive Care: New health insurance plans must provide preventive services such as mammograms and immunizations without patients paying deductibles or co-payments.
Expanded Coverage to Young Adults: Young adults can stay on their parents’ health plan until age 26. See Young Invincible website for more information.
Immediate Access for Children, Even If They Have Pre-Existing Conditions: Children under 19 can no longer be rejected from health care plans due to pre-existing conditions or have their health condition be uncovered. New plans cannot exclude children from coverage for a pre-existing condition. And in 2014, adults cannot be denied coverage due to a pre-existing condition. (Uninsured adults with a pre-existing condition may qualify for Illinois’ Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan (IPXP).)
No More “Lifetime Limits”: Insurers can no longer stop your benefits because you have “maxed out.”
Tax Credits for Small Businesses Providing Coverage to Workers: Already effective, qualified small businesses get tax credit for up to 35% of their premiums for covering their workers.
Medicare Prescription Drugs Rebates for Seniors: Medicare Part D enrollees who hit the Medicare prescription drug benefit gap in 2010 will automatically receive a $250 rebate check.
Direct access to OB/GYNs: The new health reform law provides direct access to in-network OB/GYNs for women in health plans that require them to designate primary care providers. This means that, if you are a female, you can see an OB/GYN without prior authorization from the health plan or referral from another doctor, such as your primary care provider.
Access to out-of-network emergency room services: The new law prevents health plans from requiring higher copayments or co-insurance) for out-of-network emergency room services. The new law also prohibits health plans from requiring you to get prior approval before seeking emergency room services from a provider or hospital outside your plan’s network.
We need your help to set the record straight about these changes – share them with your friends and family now!
And there is more to come! Here are some other changes coming in the next year:
Insurers Must Spend More of Your Premium Dollars on Medical Care: Starting in January 2011, your health insurer must spend 80 to 85 cents of your premium dollar on actual health care and quality improvement, or you get a rebate.
Cost-savings to Seniors on Medicare: Effective January 1, 2011, seniors who reach the coverage gap will receive a 50-percent discount when buying Medicare Part D covered brand-name prescription drugs. Over the next ten years, seniors will receive additional savings on brand-name and generic drugs until the coverage gap is closed in 2020.
Free Preventive Services for Seniors on Medicare: Effective January 1, 2011, the law provides certain free preventive services, such as annual wellness visits and personalized prevention plans, for seniors on Medicare.
Reducing Health Disparities: Effective March 2012, to help understand and reduce persistent health disparities, the law requires any ongoing or new federal health program to collect and report racial, ethnic, and language data. The Secretary of Health and Human Services will use this data to help identify and reduce disparities.
Increasing Medicaid Payments for Primary Care Doctors: Effective January 1, 2013, As Medicaid programs and providers prepare to cover more patients in 2014, the Act requires states to pay primary care physicians no less than 100 percent of Medicare payment rates in 2013 and 2014 for primary care services. The increase is fully funded by the federal government.
Increasing Access to Medicaid: Effective January 1, 2014, Americans who earn less than 133 percent of the poverty level (approximately $14,000 for an individual and $29,000 for a family of four) will be eligible to enroll in Medicaid. States will receive 100 percent federal funding for the first three years to support this expanded coverage, phasing to 90 percent federal funding in subsequent years.
Access to Insurance Options, Subsides, and Public Programs on the Exchange: Effective January 1, 2014, Starting in 2014 if your employer doesn’t offer insurance, you will be able to buy insurance directly in an Exchange -- a new transparent and competitive insurance marketplace where individuals and small businesses can buy affordable and qualified health benefit plans. Exchanges will offer you a choice of health plans that meet certain benefits and cost standards. Starting in 2014, Members of Congress will be getting their health care insurance through Exchanges, and you will be able buy your insurance through Exchanges too.
Help with Purchasing Private Insurance: If you can’t find affordable, quality coverage, you’ll have new options and help purchasing insurance. Starting in 2014, people will be able to buy cheaper coverage through the “exchange”—one-stop shopping access point for insurance. Exchanges will also set standards to keep insurers honest and provide value for premium dollars. If you earn up to roughly $88,000 a year (family of four), you’ll be eligible for new premium tax credits to help you afford coverage.
And much, much more!
I really like this article on Health Care Reform. It is short and concise. More people need to know these simple facts. I am disappointed that the site does not provide a way for me to spread the word to family and friends through Facebook. Because the information is short and easy to read, it is perfect for re-posting which means using the Facebook comment, like, and share buttons.
Thank you for the comment, Joyce. We will look for ways to make it easier to share our blog posts as we continue to build on our blog.