By Healthymagination | Posted August 23 2010
On March 23, 2010, President Barack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act, which promises increased access to health care for millions of uninsured or underinsured Americans. “It gives families control over their own care,” says First Lady Michelle Obama. “And it gives us the comfort of knowing that our insurance will be there when we need it most — especially if we get sick. Then I tell them that it gets better, but there’s a lot to know.”
The White House has created a website that shows health care coverage options based on your individual or family needs. Here are key points about what the Affordable Care Act might mean to you and your family.
Effective September 2010
* You can keep your adult children under the age of 26 on your health insurance plan, as long as they are not eligible to be insured under their employer’s plan.
* All new plans must cover preventative screenings, such as mammograms or colonoscopies, without a co-pay or insurance deductible.
* Insurance companies can no longer cancel coverage or refuse to pay for services because of an error or technical mistake on your application.
* You will now have clear and defined ways to appeal denied claims with your insurance company.
* Job-related insurers will no longer be allowed to deny coverage for a child under 18 who has a pre-existing condition.
* Health insurance providers will no longer be able to put lifetime dollar amount limits on your health care coverage.
Effective January 2011
* Seniors who have reached their cap on Medicare drug expenses will get a 50 percent discount on their Part D approved, brand name prescription drugs. They will also get more savings on brand name and generic prescriptions over the next ten years.
* Seniors on Medicare will be eligible for free annual wellness visits and personalized prevention plans.
Effective January 2014
* Most Americans must have health insurance. If your employer doesn’t offer insurance, or you are unemployed, you will be able to buy affordable coverage through the Exchange, an insurance market place that will offer you a choice of health plans.
* Prenatal and newborn care will be covered in all Exchange plans
* Dental and vision care for children under 18 will be covered in all Exchange plans
* Families of four who make less than $88,000 will be eligible for tax credits to pay for their insurance coverage
* Insurance companies will no longer be able to discriminate against consumers or charge higher premiums for pre-existing conditions or gender.
The Act has also designated $15 billion for prevention and public health programs. Mrs. Obama, who launched Let’s Move to fight childhood obesity says “a focus on prevention will help us to combat diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure — chronic illnesses that right now lead to 70 percent of deaths in the United States and 75 percent of national health care costs.
CONNECT THE DOTS
For more information on what the Act may mean for you, and how to access these new benefits, visit Families USA’s Health Reform Central. AARP has also has a rundown on the Act as it impacts people over 50, called 10 Things You Need to Know About Health Care Reform. And the Commonwealth Fund has an analysis of what the Act will mean for 30 million women in America.
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