10 Major New Health Reform Benefits Take Effect Today

Major new health reform benefits take effect today to help keep health insurance companies accountable, lower health care costs, guarantee more health care choices, and enhance the quality of health care for all Americans.

Starting today, insurers will be required to:

• Keep you covered when you get sick: Simple mistakes or typos will no longer be grounds for insurance companies to cancel your insurance.
• Cover kids with pre-existing conditions: Your kids can no longer be denied health coverage just because they have a pre-existing condition like hay fever, asthma, or previous sports injuries. This protection extends to all plans, except "grandfathered" plans in the individual market.
• Allow young adults to stay on their parents' plan up to age 26: Even if their first few jobs don't provide health benefits, your kids can still remain covered by your insurance.
• Remove lifetime limits: You will no longer need to worry about your health insurer limiting the amount of coverage available through their plan if you face an expensive medical condition. This will help Americans who develop chronic conditions from taking drastic measures to avoid medical bankruptcy.
• Phase out annual limits: Many plans include annual dollar limits on how much medical coverage can be obtained per year. On all non-"grandfathered" plans in the individual market, these limits will be phased out over the next three years.

For any insurance plan that goes into effect after September 23, 2010, your insurance company must:

• Pay for preventive care like mammograms and immunizations: Addressing problems before they start can help keep you healthier, and new insurance plans will now cover many preventative tests and immunizations without any copayment.
• Give you a better appeals process for insurance claims: Now you'll have a guaranteed and fair path to help you receive the benefits you paid for if insurance companies deny your claim.
• Let you choose your own doctor: Health reform makes it clear that you can choose any available participating primary care provider as your provider, and any available participating pediatrician to be your child's primary care provider.
• Provide easier access to OB-GYN services: Women will no longer be required to have a referral from a primary care provider before seeking coverage for obstetrical or gynecological (OB-GYN) care from a participating OB-GYN specialist.
• Allow you to use the nearest emergency room without penalty: If an emergency arises while you're away, you will no longer have to drive home to your in-network provider to receive in-network benefits.

Many other new benefits of the law have already taken effect, including rebate checks for seniors in the donut hole and tax credits for small businesses. Keep watching, as more rights, protections and benefits for Americans are on the way now through 2014.

To learn more about how health care reform is helping you, visit healthcare.gov.

(The 10 major new health reform benefits take effect today was also cross-posted on the House Democrats blog.)

 

Follow Rep. John B. Larson on Twitter: www.twitter.com/housedemocrats

Comments

[paul coskey]

10:16 AM on 10/25/2010

My boss just hit me with a $211 monthly charge for putting my two kids on our company plan. They are 22 and 20 and my wife has been covered with myself for about 10 years. He claims that husband and wife is not a "family" plan but with my kids then it is. WTF. Am I missing something here?

[Kenz300]

08:51 PM on 09/26/2010

Because of Health Care Reform insurers are prohibited from setting lifetime limits and
annual limits. Just think if you had had a serious illness and the insurance company
said sorry we can not pay your bill you hit the limit. The rest of your cancer care will
have to be paid by you.

Republicans want to repeal this!

Insurance companies are now stopped from canceling policies after a policy holder
becomes sick. People were being canceled after paying for policies for years and
just when they got sick and started collecting the policy was cancelled.

Republicans want to repeal this!

Insurance policies will no longer be able to exclude children with preexisting conditions.

Republicans want to repeal this !

Democrats need to speak up and support the President and his policies that support
the middle class. It is time that Democrats be heard over the 24 hour
right wing informercial.

Democrats need to support Democratic candidates that support the middle class.

[Stig Rune]

08:16 PM on 09/24/2010

In norway, the government pays for allmost all medical expences. We only pay a "users-fee" when we use a service. For instance;
I totaled a car a few years ago and had to go to the hospital to get an x-ray of my neck and head.
i first went to the doctor for a quick checkup and got a neck-supporter and a taxi-reservation. Then i took a taxi to the nearest hospital (1 hour drive), then i went to a doctor, had the x-ray taken and got a consultation. then the taxi took me home.

all this cost me about 1500 NOK, which is about 255 USD.

and if you are in need og excessive treatment, you will get it free if your "users-fee's" end up over a certain limit every year.

Your healthcare SUCKS in the USA, and i really pity you for not understanding how much better it could be...

[shothot]

05:26 PM on 09/25/2010

That's because, sadly, with all the technology at our disposal, we are one of the most uninformed countries when it comes to imporant issues. We get our information from tv commentators and from carriers of disinformation (limbaughs, becks, grizzily moms, etc). I'm sadden by our igorance and desire to remain so.

[dacohenz]

01:50 PM on 09/24/2010

The new health care bill just went into effect, which to me is a good thing. Health insurance is a big deal, my personal view is that it should be a US citizens right and not a privilege, it should not be something one should go broke over. My wonderful wife has had a rough years health wise which I would prefer not to go into, but I will say this. While my insurance premium is outrageous, I am getting my money's worth this year. Insurance companies get a bad rap and for the most part, they should. Blue Cross Blue shield has been pretty much great and honest and fair, except of course for the price of my premium.

There are some really great things that went into effect today. Things that will help millions of Americans, which of course makes the Republicans against the health care bill. Why is the Dark Side (Republicans) against the bill? For one, a lot of Republican Senators and Congressmen are being bought by the insurance companies as well as other corporations. Don't get me wrong, there are a lot Democrat politicians in the corporate pockets as well, but the difference is that somehow most of the Dems find themselves voting against their own pocketbooks best interests.

[BlazeO]

11:55 AM on 09/24/2010

Most of these provisions were already available if you were willing to pay the extra premiums to get a decent plan. Now that they are required premiums will increase for everyone. The biggest issue with health coverage is that people are not willing to make it a priority in their spending. They want it to be cheap and easy, they want to pay only if there is enough left after they pay for the big TV, the smart phone, satellite tv, a car, and everything else.

[Takebackourmoney]

12:10 PM on 09/24/2010

I made a mistake filling out for health insurance on the internet and could not correct, therefore was denied insurance. I had to go through hoops to get insurance, the quotes were ridiculously high because of the mistake. I had to go to the state insurance agency to correct it. The best thing about this is that I do not need a referal to go see a Ob/Gyn. It was such a silly practice. Government want to intrude in women's issues but complain about government being big.

[Disdain]

11:36 AM on 09/24/2010

The insurance companies are going to simply accept this unlimited, unpredictable cost increase and do absolutely nothing to protect themselves. They are going to graciously implement policies that is guarantied to lead them to bankruptcy within a few years at no cost to the rest of us. Dream on.

[Tommygun264]

01:54 PM on 09/24/2010

Yes, because that is the business plan ALL for-profit businesses aim for - bankruptcy. No one is going to go broke. Neither is this the last word in health care reform legislation. Just like Social Security, Medicare, tax cuts and every other piece of legislation on the books. The legislation will be improved over time. However, this is an important first step in the right direction. Furthermore, the goal is to help get Americans health care insurance coverage, not to increase Wellpoint's already obscene profit margins.

[nicetweedjacket]

01:58 PM on 09/24/2010

guaranteed sure is a big word...

[Disdain]

08:15 PM on 09/24/2010

I like big words.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/guarantied

[freshnotbitter]

10:56 AM on 09/24/2010

This should have been headlined on Huffpo with the query: "Are Dems being too nice?" and explaining that the abuses dems had dealt with in the patient's bill of rights had been ignored by republicans for years and they had never bothered trying to correct any of them, prefering to pretend that everything was hunky-dory so their big health industry corporate donors could go on abusing people and stuffing their pockets with dollars made off other peoples' misery.

I have a hard time voting for any republican when I see the abuses that were going on and knowing that republicans were not willing to do anything whatsoever about it.

[shothot]

03:32 AM on 09/25/2010

If the healthcare bill is so bad, why would insurance companies (and rethugs) be fighting it?

[Allablaze]

10:53 AM on 09/24/2010

I am not sure how anybody can find fault with these new health care regulations. They simply help people.

But with conservatives, it is never about helping people. Issue number one for conservatives is and always has been, their wallet.

[Olivier Peekster]

06:15 PM on 09/24/2010

We all want universal coverage. But, when I look left and I look right, I see a bunch of fat people who don't value their own life. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to know that we can't afford health insurance for every American until we have enormous social and cultural change. No more sodas, no more pizza, no more cigarettes, no more heroin, no more meth, no more having your cake and eating it too!

The problem with the health in our society is what causes the health care debate. If we were all healthy, then we would have extra room in the ER for that kid who was born with a problem, or that woman who just really needs that breast removed, or a man who needs that brain tumor removed. Instead we treat people who did something really stupid, either that day or over time.

[Fernando Sosa]

10:30 AM on 09/24/2010

Hey Palinites when are the dead panels suppose to kick in?

[blinkthink]

12:52 PM on 09/24/2010

Right after the Repubs try to gamble our social security away via Wall Street.

[GiveUsFree]

09:49 AM on 09/24/2010

Americans would have to be utter morons to let the Republicans back in power when they haven't offered anything new. They are saying the same old crap that got us into this mess. I hope we don't have a repeat of Bush '04. That man should never have been elected to one term, let alone two.

Progressives would be morons to sit on their hands and let the Republicans back into office.

[il128]

05:24 PM on 09/24/2010

Trust me, Americans ARE utter morons.

[shothot]

03:48 AM on 09/25/2010

Progressives are supposely so angry at Obama, it appears they're willing to cut off their nose to spite their face. If they'e not as passionate as the tea folk/republicans, it could be years before they recoup any loses, and will certainly find themselves shut out forf long time. As if the Bush years were not a lesson learned. these Tea folk/republicans are serious and passionate about retaking the white house. Sadly, progressives think sitting back and waiting for Obama to carry forth on their agenda, while they HuffPost, write books, preach to the choir, piss about what Obama isn't doing, etc, while the tea partiers and republicans are in the streets.... lying, cheating, and stealing, but getting their message out at a grass roots level. That's what wins elections and..... that's what will set this nation back to "before christ".

[Trustandalwaysverify]

09:30 AM on 09/24/2010

There are many complaints here about what the new health care law will or will not do.
 
Many people were saying......wait, read the bill.  wait, post it online for 72 hours.
 
but those people were called racists and all kinds of names.
 
Now you know why the bill was passed in the middle of the night and with no votes from Republicans.
 
and you wonder why Democrats will lose big in NOvember?
 
You have to read the bill to know what is on the bill.
Nancy Pelosi
 
Americans do not like to be treated like i/d/io//ts by their government.
 

[blinkthink]

09:39 AM on 09/24/2010

Apparently some like to be treated that way by the GOP.

[Takebackourmoney]

12:18 PM on 09/24/2010

Bet you still have not read the bill.

[Anthro]

09:15 AM on 09/24/2010

Sorry Rep. Larson, but the small business tax credit is just another complicated tax gimmick that seems designed to actually help as few people as possible. Why should salaries be limited to an average of $50,000? Why all this endless mush of itty-bitty programs instead of a simple single payer system. I nearly cried when I read that we will now be free to choose any PARTICIPATING doctor! That's the way it's always been on every plan I've been on. This only means that if you have Dr. Smith while covered by Ripoff Ins. Co, then you can keep seeing Dr. Smith when your insurance changes over to Nopay Ins. Co--IF Dr. Smith is in their network as well. Otherwise, too bad, find a new doctor. This is REFORM?

There are so many ifs, ands, and buts in this article (and in the legislation), that I am now embarrassed that I even (reluctantly) supported it. Why have a provision to cover young adults on their parents' insurance when you could simply provide coverage for everyone, equally, with a single payer system (or even in an insurance system, by making it possible for ALL employers to have direct and uncomplicated access to equally affordable coverage.

Rep. Larson's upbeat synopsis is all but laughable--except that it makes me cry.

[Takebackourmoney]

12:17 PM on 09/24/2010

Me, me, me, me. Not every insurance works the same way. Do you know some doctors choose not to accept insurance from some companies because of their plan. Even the doctors have to pay money to parrticipate in accepting insurance. The reason to provide coverage to young adults is because they cannot afford it on their own. The reason for reform is that the insurance companies made it inpossible for ALL employer to have direct and uncomplicated access to equally affordable coverage. So cry.

[shothot]

04:09 AM on 09/25/2010

They're bast***s. I worked for an insurance company and attempted to get a life insurance for blind kid. they turned him down; in perfect health, but no physical exam necessary. I became so irate, I wrote the company a letter and told them what ass****s those who declined his application were. There were other choice words. They finally insured him. but without someone fighting for him, he could have easily gone thoughout his lifetime without qualifying for coverage. There were numerous incidents that warranted my agressiveness, or the person would have been SCREWED.
If health reform had not passed I too would be uninsurable due to pre-existing conditions. Thanks Obama!!

[Joe Dallas]

09:13 AM on 09/24/2010

Because Obamacare forces insurance companies to accept children who are already sick with pre-existing conditions on the same terms as healthy children, parents now have a strong incentive to wait until their children are sick to buy child-only policies, making the products a guaranteed money-loser for insurers, which are not in the business of guaranteeing losses to their investors and employees.

[Anthro]

09:20 AM on 09/24/2010

Which is the central problem with an insurance system, as opposed to a health care system!

[reverence]

09:44 AM on 09/24/2010

Oh yea, that's exactly what parents do...gamble with their kids health. Kids need to be seen by doctors on a reqular basis from the time that they are born. How many families do you honestly think go out and buy a "child-only policy"? The majority have family policies and will continue with those family plicies, because it is more cost effective. Thanks for the talking point provided by the Greedy Oppressive Party.

[pwd2008]

09:11 AM on 09/24/2010

I just purchased health insurance for my 63 year old mother-in-law and had to beat the Sept 23rd deadline as premiums are increasing by up to 20% after that date. Luckily we were able to apply before the reforms all took hold at the old rates but it is expected the costs will go up again next year. So thanks to the reforms, cost have gone up quite bit already. This was a really helpful "change" - I just "hope" some day we can undo the damage done.

While the reforms sound good - most were already included in the policy I purchased before they were mandatory. These reforms don't come free either. Some of them such as no lifetime limits and future reforms like no exemptions for pre-existing conditions will be certain to drive cost up. We are just lucky that at least a 3rd party insurance company is in charge of the program and it works as designed. If the government ran the program it would raise cost and be even less effective.

The final verdict is still out on how effective the health care reform will be. However if past performance is any indicator, I would not be surprised to see all the promises made fade away relatively soon. We can look to the medicare and medicade programs to see how the costs have risen dramatically since implementation.

[Anthro]

09:25 AM on 09/24/2010

I think if you review the premiums of most any insurance plan, you will see that costs have been going up about 15% per year for several years now. The increases you mention are already in place. Reform may exacerbate them, but the system is already on a death spiral of increasing cost.

It's nice that you can afford to cover your 63 year old m-in-law, who almost certainly has at least one pre-existing condition, but what would happen to her until Medicare kicks in if you could not do this? Do you have a shred of concern for those who don't have a well-off son-in-law?

[pwd2008]

08:35 PM on 09/24/2010

Why do liberals always assume that if one does not agree with the health care reform bill all (2,000 pages of it) that they must be lacking concern for those without insurance. This is a false assumption.

I and others who oppose the health care bill do not do so for lack of concern and lack of wanting to solve the problem. We think there were better solutions which did not require the massive interference of government at all levels of private health care. Unfortunately a highly partison congress refused to listen to or explore any alternatives.

A better and simpler idea would have been to expand the current medicaid program and cover those not insured. At least this would have been an up front and honest approach.
The same revenue raised from hundreds of hidden fees and taxes in those 2,000 pages could have been done through a straight forward and transparent tax increase across the board. Tax payer will pay the taxes anyway - but now no one can see them... a very nice slight of hand.

There were and still are better solutions to providing helath care for those who do not have it. I am very "hopeful" that there will much "change "coming this November and common sense solutions can prevail.

[eyeitall]

09:05 AM on 09/24/2010

There is a lack of health care professional and the shortage is only going to get worse and what did Obama give us 21 more fed commisions just great more beaurocrates to feed. How come the health care provider shortage is not address in Obamacare because Obamacare is not about healthcare it is about seperating the people's money from the people.

[Anthro]

09:26 AM on 09/24/2010

Why can't people like you spell or type, or construct a readable sentence?

[Aboomer]

10:32 AM on 09/24/2010

Anthro you gave me my laugh for this morning!

[PatrickJ08]

10:57 AM on 09/24/2010

It is addressed, genius.

Why can't you guys even read a SUMMARY of the legislation, FFS.

Conservatives are embarressingly lazy.