Friday, September 24, 2010

Key provisions of recent healthcare regulation enter into the works September 23

Six months ago the health care law passed. The brand new health care system within the U.S. is going to enter into effect beginning September 23. Some parts of the healthcare reform won’t start for years as they’re debated more hotly. Thursday can be when coverage will start for even people with pre-existing conditions. Republicans are increasing their anti-health care reform rhetoric. President Obama has responded with his own vigorous defense of the new health care law. The Health care reform law is something many Americans wanted until it really is beginning to kick in.

Health care reform for majority delayed until 2011

Health care reform will start for many soon. Of course, most Americans will see the health care reform bill in their lives until next year. After September 23, changes will happen automatically for new health care plans, says the Wall Street Journal. 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 will be available for people who cannot afford them. Americans could be fined if they do not have health insurance at that point.

Starting up some health insurance

Key changes that enter into effect for new health plans started after Sept. 23 integrated the following, courtesy of CNN:

Children under age 19 can no longer be denied coverage for pre-existing conditions. The exact same goes for adults in 2014.

Insurance corporations can no longer drop a consumer when they get sick or search for mistakes on their application for the purpose to deny payment when they get sick.

Preventive care for instance 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 company or a doctor’s referral to see a pediatrician or OB/GYN.

Insurance corporations must discontinue prior authorization for ER services. Plus, they can’t charge higher co-payments for out-of-network ER providers.

Insurance corporations cannot refuse a claim in appeal, and have to continue paying for treatment until the appeal is resolved.

Public opinion stopped by White House with answers

Republican misinformation campaigns have fueled public opinion about health care reform. A recent Rasmussen poll counted 61 percent in favor of repealing the health care law. The Los Angeles Times reports that to fend off Republican attacks, the White House has unveiled a new site, whitehouse.gov/healthreform. Showing the regulation 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 could be made by saying:

“These things are designed not to have government more involved in health care. They’re designed for making sure that you have basic protections with your interactions with your insurance company, that you are getting what you paid for, that you have some basic measures of protection.”

Discover more information on this subject

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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