Patient Bill of Rights under the Affordable Health Care Act
On June 22nd, 2010 the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and Treasury issued regulations to implement the new Patient Bill of Rights under the Affordable Care Act. The following changes are schedule to occur on September 23rd, 2010 or the first medical plan renewal thereafter.
- Lifetime Limits on Medical Coverage to be removed
- Restricted Annual Dollar Limits on Essential Coverage
- Choice of Network Provider
- Emergency Care Protections
- No Pre-Existing Exclusions for children under age 19
- Dependent Coverage Available until Age 26
- Arbitrary Recission of Insurance Coverage
In the event your plan is deemed Grandfathered (see Grandfathering Fact Sheet) your plan will have an exception until 2014 on the following:
- Preventative Coverage at no cost share
- Claims appeals process changes
- Emergency Services with no prior authorization and paid at in-network levels
- Access to a pediatrian as primary care physician
- Prohibition on requiring authorization or referral to ob/gyn
- Prohibition of discrimination against health care providers working within the scope of license
- Inclusion of essential health benefits
More Information can be obtained from your Leonard Insurance Services representative or by visiting the Department of Labor at http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/