There was a new healthcare regulation transferred. This was about six months ago. On Sept. 23, several changes within the United States health care program start going into effect. There will probably be a few years before the whole bill is put into action. This is because some of it is very controversial. But key reforms such as coverage despite pre-existing conditions begin Thursday. The anti-health care ideas the Republicans have spread are becoming more common. President Obama has responded with his own vigorous defense of the new health care law. The Health care reform law is one thing many Americans wanted until it actually is beginning to kick in.
Until 2011, most won’t get healthcare
Health care reform actually won’t go into effect for most Americans until next year. The Wall Street Journal reports the changes kick in quickly for new health plans began on or after September 23. Until plans renew for employees with work health insurance right now as a job benefit, around January 1, changes won’t be seen. The changes valid Sept. 23 were intended as a bridge until 2014, when subsidies for health plans can be available for individuals who cannot afford them. At that time, most Americans can be required to have health insurance or else be fined.
Health insurance changes starting to happen
Key changes that enter into the works for new health plans started after Sept. 23 incorporated the following, courtesy of CNN:
Children under age 19 can no longer be denied coverage for pre-existing conditions. The same goes for adults in 2014.
Insurance companies can no longer drop a customer when they get sick or search for mistakes on their application for the purpose to deny payment when they get sick.
Preventive care such as physicals, mammograms and colonoscopies no longer require a co-payment or deductible.
Insurance companies can no longer impose lifetime dollar limits on essential benefits, for instance lifesaving treatments.
Patients no longer have to get prior authorization from their insurance business or a doctor’s referral to see a pediatrician or OB/GYN.
Insurance businesses must discontinue prior authorization for ER services. Plus, they can’t charge higher co-payments for out-of-network ER providers.
Insurance companies cannot refuse a claim in appeal, and have to continue paying for treatment until the appeal is resolved.
White House thinks public misconceptions need to be dealt with
Republican misinformation campaigns have fueled public opinion about health care reform. Recently, Rasmussen took a poll on this. It found out that 61 percent of individuals in the poll wanted to repeal the brand new law for health care. The Los Angeles Times reports that to fend off Republican attacks, the White House has unveiled a new site, whitehouse.gov/healthreform. Showing the law is really making a difference is the hope of the site. It is shown by having ordinary Americans show their stories. Obama was in a meeting Wednesday with state insurance commissioners where he spoke on September 23 and what provisions will be made by saying:
“These things are intended not to have government more involved in health care. They’re intended for making sure that you have basic protections with your interactions with your insurance company, that you’re getting what you paid for, that you’ve some basic measures of protection.”
Additional reading
Wall Street Journal
online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20100922-706473.html
CNN
money.cnn.com/2010/09/22/news/economy/health_reform_six_month_anniversary_package/index.htm
Los Angeles times
latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-new-health-benefits-20100923,,6153569.story
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