THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT
I wanted to share some beneficial information on the AFFORDABLE CARE ACT with you. So many of us don't have health insurance, because we simply can't afford it or your employer doesn't offer healthcare coverage. I worked in the healthcare field and didn't have healthcare insurance and trying to find healthcare coverage I could afford was impossible. I'm so glad that we will now have affordable options to choose from. This is a new process and I know that there will be changes to come, however, I will try to keep up with the changes and provided as much information as I can to keep you welled informed.
Staring on October 1, 2013 the AFFORDABLE CARE ACT ....A.K.A OBAMACARE will have open enrollment for millions of Americans to sign up through the Healthcare Insurance Marketplace. What is the Marketplace? The Marketplace is a exchange like the stock market, where you'll be able to choose and compare the best Healthcare Insurance that meets your individual or families needs. We will have access to affordable healthcare for the first time.
There is so much misinformation on the news and on the internet that you can get mislead very easily. We all need to be well informed of our options and not let politics play a role in us receiving adequate affordable healthcare.
How to get signed up: Go to https://www.healthcare.gov
1. Create an account
First provide some basic information. Then choose a user name, password, and security questions for added protection.2. Apply for Marketplace coverage
Enter information about you and your family, including your income, household size, and more.3. Pick a plan
Next you’ll see all the health insurance plans and programs you’re eligible for you'll be able to compare side by side what's plans meets your needs.4. Enroll
Choose a health insurance plan that meets your needs and enroll! Open enrollment starts October 1, 2013 and goes through March 2014. Coverage starts as soon as January 1, 2014.If you need help with your Marketplace application, there will be people trained and certified in your state to help you understand your health coverage options and also to help you with the enrollment process.
Here's some of the benefits of the AFFORDABLE CARE ACT from http://www.hhs.gov/healthcare .
Coverage
- Ends Pre-Existing Condition Exclusions for Children: Health plans can no longer limit or deny benefits to children under 19 due to a pre-existing condition.
- Keeps Young Adults Covered: If you are under 26, you may be eligible to be covered under your parent’s health plan.
- Ends Arbitrary Withdrawals of Insurance Coverage: Insurers can no longer cancel your coverage just because you made an honest mistake.
- Guarantees Your Right to Appeal: You now have the right to ask that your plan reconsider its denial of payment.
Costs
- Ends Lifetime Limits on Coverage: Lifetime limits on most benefits are banned for all new health insurance plans.
- Reviews Premium Increases: Insurance companies must now publicly justify any unreasonable rate hikes.
- Helps You Get the Most from Your Premium Dollars: Your premium dollars must be spent primarily on health care – not administrative costs.
Care
- Covers Preventive Care at No Cost to You: You may be eligible for recommended preventive health services. No copayment.
- Protects Your Choice of Doctors: Choose the primary care doctor you want from your plan’s network.
- Removes Insurance Company Barriers to Emergency Services: You can seek emergency care at a hospital outside of your health plan’s network.
Benefits for Women
- 26.9 million women with private health insurance gained expanded preventive services with no cost-sharing in 2011 and 2012, including mammograms, cervical cancer screenings, prenatal care, flu and pneumonia shots, and regular well-baby and well-child visits.
- As of August 1, 2012 many health plans now cover additional preventive services
with no cost-sharing, including well-woman visits, screening for
gestational diabetes, domestic violence screening, breastfeeding
supplies and contraceptive services.
- An estimated 8.7 million American women currently purchasing individual insurance will gain coverage for maternity services.
- Insurance companies in the individual and small group markets will no longer be permitted to charge higher rates due to gender or health status.
- State Medicaid programs will be able to offer more opportunities to women who need personal assistance or long-term care and wish to stay at home and in the community, rather than enter a nursing home.
I hope this answers some questions you may have about the AFFORDABLE CARE ACT. This is just an overview I will be updating regularly to keep you informed.
Information cited from http://www.hhs.gov/healthcare
