Health Care Reform known as the Affordable Care Act and nicknamed "Obamacare" is underway. Some changes to the way health insurance works for Americans have already been implemented, with the rest of the reforms becoming law on January 1, 2014. Just about a month and a half away.
Everyone needs to get some form of health care for many various reasons throughout their lives. My husband gets LOTS of health care, has lots of doctors to help him manage his diabetes, dialysis, heart conditions and even his feet. My daughter has ADHD so every single month we have to have a hard copy prescription for her stimulant medication which is considered a "class 2 controlled substance". Then there's vision, dental, counseling.....
Health care is a very big deal for my family, and at least a minor deal for everyone. Also, I believe in being a good health care advocate. For these reasons, I thought I would tap into a resource I have to guide me in putting together a post that could help demystify the changes, even if only a little.
You may or may not remember the anonymous guest post I published this last summer when I was away on a family trip. That post was about the costs of health insurance/health care. It was written by a friend of mine who works for a major health insurance company. She feels it best to not publicly talk about her job, so she needs to remain anonymous.
I asked my friend to touch on the main bullet points of the reforms coming our way. Please understand, it is not my (or her) intention to get into a political debate over the merits, or lack thereof, of these reforms. I simply hope to shed some light on the subject, because it's happening, whether we like it or not. Here is what my friend had to say.
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What does Health Care Reform have in store for me come 2014?
There are many changes scheduled to start January first, or even prior. Everyone’s situation is a little different, so providing a general overview for the average Joe is difficult. I will touch on a few of the big topics that span demographics, however you should realize what may be available to you may differ.
For examples, employers with a religious tax exemption may be exempt from offering certain services otherwise mandated by Health Care Reform.
Your Medications
Health Care Reform has deemed certain medications as preventive in nature and as of 11/1/13, most health plans must offer them at no cost to the insured. There are also Over the Counter (OTC) drugs that apply to this mandate when purchased at the pharmacy counter. Examples:
- Kids fluoride (RX) and iron supplements (OTC)
- Aspirin (OTC)
- Folic acid supplements and female condoms (OTC)
- Vitamin D supplements for older folks (OTC)
- Emergency contraceptives (Plan B, etc) for women (OTC)
- Contraceptive film, foam or gel for women (OTC)
Your Paycheck
There will be a new tax assessed as of 1/1/14 as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Your employer may pass this tax onto you per paycheck. So in addition to paying your insurance premiums you will also be paying a tax for the privilege. Since I cover my family, mine will cost me about $26 in taxes per paycheck. That is in addition to the $130 I pay for my collective benefits which includes an allotment to my Health Care Savings Account. This tax is projected to double by 2018.
Your Medical Deductible
Good news! Health care Reform has put a cap on how huge of a deductible the insurance company (by your employer's choice) can stick you with. The ceiling is $2,000 per individual and $4,000 per family. The bad news: this does not yet apply to large employer groups. If your employer employs more than 50 people, you will have to wait, like me. Same for total out of pocket, there is now a ceiling.
Your Chronic Illness
Great news! Preexisting condition exclusions no longer apply! If you have been staying at your horrible job because you don’t want to start the clock ticking on a preexisting condition waiting period, never fear! Your chronic illness or condition can not be excluded from your benefit plan.
Your Treatment Options
Services associated with qualified Clinical Trials are mandated for coverage as of the first of the year. The actual device or drug that is being trialed is not required. But the doctors visits, labs and x-rays are what is mandated for coverage. In addition, any annual visit limitations or dollar limits on services deemed essential by the Department of Health and Human Services. Most this references the inability for an insurance company to put a lifetime maximum on your policy. It use to be they would max out your benefits at 1 million dollars, once you racked up that much in claim charges you were cut off. Well, no more!
Your Choice
Most importantly of all you have a choice. You can now shop around on the “exchanges” for the plan that makes the most sense for you. I believe Jennifer has a great video on this to share with you. Oh, and they also extended the age limit on adult dependent children to age 26. So go ahead and let Johnny take a year to find his inner frat boy, he can add another year to his college education.
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Q & A
1. Are you saying some OTC meds can be paid for by your insurance? Yes, if you're within the age range and the correct gender, OTC items can be purchased at the pharmacy counter with a “prescription” from your doctor. For example if you are an old guy and your doctor says a daily aspirin regimen could help with your heart, then yes, that is covered at 100% under your insurance.
2. Do you know Why the new tax? What is it for/how is it justified? They call them “fees" and they are used to fund the changes mandated by the HCR laws. Fees will fund: Patient centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) fee, Transitional Reinsurance Fee and Insurer Fee.
3. What are some of the essential health benefits that MUST be covered? 10 broad categories:
- Ambulatory patient services
- Emergency services
- Hospitalization
- Lab services
- Maternity & Newborn care
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse (very limited- the Dr asking if you feel safe at home)
- Prescription drugs
- Rehabilitative devices
- Chronic disease management and preventive services
- Pediatric care including dental and vision
- Pediatric Dental is an essential Health Benefit: exams, cleaning, fluoride, x-rays and sealants – preventive care
- Vision – standard vision screenings the kids generally get at their well check
- Lab Services – services notes as essential/ preventive
- Maternity – routine pregnancy
- IUD – paid as preventive – 100%
- Breastfeeding – breast pumps are covered now
- Contraception – generic drugs for contraception are covered at 100%
- Domestic Violence – counseling during well exam
- HIV – counseling during well exam
- Gestational Diabetes – screening at anytime during pregnancy (not just the last trimester)
- HPV – DNA testing for 30+
- Immunizations – when baby and mother blood types are not compatible – Rh+
- STD – counseling during doctor visit
- Smoking Cessation – counseling for pregnant women
- Well exam – includes; OB visits (routine) tobacco counseling and immunizations
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Finally, I had a few other questions regarding specifics to my family. My husband and I are both legally disabled, so we have Medicare. I looked up how the ACA will affect Medicare and Medicare Advantage Plans, and found some good info HERE. Also, I was curious as to how the mandate requiring everyone to have some form of health insurance would be enforced, and the guidelines of it. I found a good explanation of this HERE.
One more thing (sorry, I know!), this is a pretty non-biased and informative video my friend also pointed me to.
I know there is absolutely more to the story, but hopefully this helps scratch the surface. Do you know what you need to do, if anything, regarding Health Care Reform?
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