While many of the major changes to healthcare insurance coverage won’t begin until 2014, there are several provisions that will kick in on September 23. Changes apply to both employer-sponsored plans as well as individual health plans. We are offering several summary resources to help you and your employees understand the changes and the new benefits that are available.
Healthcare.gov offers a summary of the health care changes for most policies issued after March 23, 2010:
- Coverage for children with pre-existing conditions can no longer be denied
- Lifetime limits or caps on health coverage can no longer be imposed
- Policies cannot be canceled over mistakes on the application unless fraud can be proven
- Decisions about denial of coverage can be appealed to an independent reviewer
- Preventative services for certain services like screenings, vaccinations and checkups will be provided at no charge
- Children can remain on a parent’s health plan until age 26
- Ability to choose a primary care doctor and pediatrician from your provider’s network
- Use of an emergency room outside your plan’s network will not require additional payments
Additional resources
Los Angeles Times: Several health care reform provisions begin Thursday
USNews & World Report: 8 immediate cost benefits of healthcare reform
Palm Beach Post: Health Reform is here: More coverage for kids, free physicals among changes that take effect this week
Kaiser Health News: A Consumer’s Guide To The Health Law, Six Months In
Houston Chronicle: Health care reform’s first wave approaching
Kaiser Health News: New Law Brings Changes To Health Insurance Rules This Week