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Timeline of Healthcare Reform Changes
They say that good things come to those who wait, and it is definitely true when it comes to healthcare reform! While some positive changes have already taken place with the legislation, others are still on the horizon. Utilize our helpful timeline outlining healthcare reform changes to help you keep track of what will be happening with health insurance.
Changes Already Implemented
When healthcare reform was signed into law, a number of changes were put into motion. Some of the provisions that went into effect last year include:
- A temporary high-risk pool for adults with pre-existing conditions to purchase affordable health insurance
- Insurance companies are prohibited from establishing lifetime limits on healthcare coverage
- Annual limits on healthcare coverage set by individual insurance providers will now be regulated by the federal government
- The expansion of insurance coverage for children to the age of 26
- The elimination of denial of insurance coverage to children with pre-existing conditions
- Free preventative care without required deductibles or co-pays
- Insurance companies are no longer allowed to drop patient coverage if the patient becomes ill
- Insurance companies must provide an appeals process for coverage determination
While these provisions are currently in effect, some of the changes will not be seen by individuals until their health insurance policies renew. In many cases, this may happen by January 1, 2011.
Big Changes in 2011
When you ring in the New Year, be prepared for these additional changes in healthcare reform:
- Seniors will receive a 50% discount on some Medicare Part D prescription drugs
- Free preventative services will also be provided for seniors
- Insurance companies will be required to spend at least 85% of healthcare premiums for large employer plans, and 80% of premiums for smaller plans, on healthcare services and quality improvement, rather than administrative costs
- Increased access to home and community services to disabled individuals, rather than nursing home care
Technology in 2012
The following year will combine technology with healthcare providers for even more efficient administration of health care. Paper records will become a thing of the past, as electronic record keeping allows for better integration of patient healthcare through a variety of providers and improved record-keeping in provider offices.
2014: It's all about Choice
The birth of healthcare exchanges will make affordable health insurance a viable option to even more Americans, as the free market competition brings costs down. Employees who cannot afford the premiums for the plans offered by their companies will be allowed to take the money their employers would have paid for coverage and use it to purchase their own affordable health insurance through exchanges or other sources.
Tax credits will also become available to individuals and small businesses that cannot afford to purchase affordable health insurance on their own.
At this time, adults will no longer be denied coverage due to a pre-existing condition, ensuring they have as many choices in affordable health insurance as everyone else.
Healthcare reform won't happen all at once; it will be more like the gift that keeps on giving. With changes on the horizon annually until 2014, the transformation of our healthcare system has just begun.
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