Some of the best benefits of legislation are still coming up. But as we all know, the political currents are always shifting. Keep up with changes to health reform in the news, online, or by contacting your elected officials.
Additional benefits planned for 2014 include:
- Pre-existing conditions must be covered from day one.
- Insurance companies can't refuse to sell or renew coverage due to a pre-existing condition.
- No calendar year limits on plan benefits.
- Insurance companies can't discriminate and charge premiums based on health status or gender. Rates may only differ due to age (no more than 3:1), geographic area, family size, and whether or not you're a smoker.
- It is expected that everyone will get insured. The government will provide support in the form of subsidies and tax credits for qualifying individuals, families, and small businesses to help pay for premiums.
- The government will set up shop and establish state-run health insurance exchanges for individuals and small businesses. The exchange will provide access to quality, low cost, standardized plans for easy comparison. It will also assist in screening individuals and small businesses that are eligible for subsidies and facilitate enrollments.
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What will this look like? Think Orbitz (where instead of searching for the best deals for airlines, you’ll be able to search for the best deals on health insurance.)
- Insurers must provide clear, easy to understand summaries outlining coverage without the fine print. Transparency is being baked right into the insurance industry under the new healthcare reform law.
