Articles >> Health Insurance Reform Immediate Actions

 

While the majority of health insurance reform provisions go into effect in 2014, there are a number of provisions that take effect in 2010. Here's an overview of the provisions that become effective this year. 

Immediately at enactment

Grandfathering – Plans and individuals that "renew" their coverage are exempt from any provisions of the law. These "grandfathered plans" must comply, however, with the following provisions of the law: extend dependent coverage through age 26, prohibit rescissions, eliminate waiting periods greater than 90 days, and eliminate pre-existing condition exclusions for children

Small employer tax credits – provides premium subsidies for small groups with 25 or fewer employees and average salaries of $40K or less

Less than six months

High-risk pool program – establish a temporary national high-risk pool for individuals with pre-existing medical conditions. (effective 90 days post enactment through January 1, 2014)

Temporary reinsurance for employer retirees – Creates a temporary reinsurance for employers providing health insurance coverage to retirees over 55 who are not eligible for Medicare (effective 90 days post enactment through January 1, 2014)

Six months plus

No lifetime limits – Eliminates all lifetime limits on the dollar value of coverage (effective six months post enactment)

Restrictions on rescissions – Prohibits insurers from rescinding coverage except in the cases of fraud (effective six months post enactment)

No pre-existing conditions for children – Eliminate pre-existing condition exclusions for children under 19 (effective six months post enactment)

Dependent age 26 – Extends dependent coverage to age 26 (effective six months post enactment)

Preventive care with no cost sharing – Eliminates cost-sharing for certain preventive services (effective January 1, 2011)

Appeals process – Individuals  have access to an  internal and external appeals process to appeal decisions by their health insurance plan.