The following items in the Health Care Reform as passed and signed by the President are effective today. See my previous post to check on items that went into effect earlier this year, and items that will go into effect into the future. I can’t imagine anyone wanting to repeal this law and hurt so many Americans!
1. Adult Dependent Coverage to Age 26 Extends dependent coverage for adult children up to age 26 for all individual and group policies. Implementation: Plan or policy years beginning on or after September 23, 2010
2. Consumer Protections in Insurance Prohibits individual and group health plans from placing lifetime limits on the dollar value of coverage, rescinding coverage except in cases of fraud, and from denying children coverage based on pre-existing medical conditions or from including pre-existing condition exclusions for children. Restricts annual limits on the dollar value of coverage (and eliminates annual limits in 2014) Implementation: Plan or policy years beginning on or after September 23, 2010 (annual limits eliminated in 2014)
3. Insurance Plan Appeals Process Requires new health plans to implement an effective process for allowing consumers to appeal health plan decisions and requires new plans to establish an external review process. Implementation: Plan or policy years beginning on or after September 23, 2010
4. Coverage of Preventive Benefits Requires new health plans to provide at a minimum coverage without cost-sharing for preventive services rated A or B by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, recommended immunizations, preventive care for infants, children, and adolescents, and additional preventive care and screenings for women. Implementation: Plan or policy years beginning on or after September 23, 2010