Health Care Reform is Nearly a Done Deal, Analysis Indicates
Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) July 25, 2013 -- Extensive, often unheralded governmental work in more than 20 states is making it clear that health care reform, also known as Obamacare, will be ready to replace the current system for individuals by 2014, according to an analysis by HealthCoverageAssist.com, a website covering the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.
“We expect pockets of chaos and confusion in October, but significant progress, along a variety of fronts, shows that health care for individuals will be entirely overhauled before the end of the year in almost every state,” said Ed Van Herik, content manager for HealthCoverageAssist.com.
“Even if there are major problems in a state or two, healthcare reform is nearly a done deal,” Van Herik added. “Bumps in the road aren’t going to stop the rollout, which will continue throughout 2014. Those hoping that the new system will simply collapse are living in a fantasy world.”
The Affordable Care Act requires Americans to have health insurance by 2014. Under the act, states are required to set up two online health exchanges, one for individuals and one for small business, which will serve as marketplaces where insurers will offer plans that can be compared side-by-side. As part of the effort to extend health insurance to more citizens, Medicaid is being expanded in many states and subsidies will be offered throughout the nation to ensure that health insurance remains affordable.
Van Herik cited a number of key indicators, including official state reports, news stories, attendance at dozens of workshops in many states, and the letting of government contracts for support services that point to growing momentum in the health system redesign.
Still, some states will lag in implementing SHOP, the health exchange for small businesses, said Van Herik, but current activity indicates that millions of Americans who are not covered by health insurance now will be in January.
Most states are already routinely putting out information, though the federal government, which will set up health care exchanges in 26 states, has said very little. Still, the federal government has indicated that it has received proposals from approximately 125 insurers to provide plans in the states where it will run the health exchanges.
Polls show that many Americans remain unaware of the requirement that they have health insurance by 2014, though that will begin to change by the end of summer, according to healthcoverageassist.com's analysis.
“Health care reform information will dominate the nation’s attention in the fourth quarter, and millions of dollars are being allocated to finance one of the largest media educational campaigns the United States has ever seen,” Van Herik said.
The overall proposal for all states creates four tiers of plans that will be offered to individuals: Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze, from the highest to the lowest premiums, with the costlier plans covering a greater percentage of all bills.
The plans all must offer some basic services. These include:
• Pre-existing conditions are covered with no waiting period; plan members will be entitled to the same treatment as anyone else.
• Preventive and wellness exams at no extra charge.
• Universal acceptance – applicants cannot be declined for any reason.
• Plan members will not have limits imposed on lifetime coverage or annual limits on essential healthcare services.
• Plan members can’t have their coverage cut off for any reason.
• Plan members can’t be denied coverage due to technical errors made on applications.
• Members’ children can stay on their parent’s plan until age 26.
About HealthCoverageAssist.com
HealthCoverageAssist.com is an online resource monitoring the development and implementation of the Affordable Care Act throughout the nation. The site is not sponsored by any state or federal government and is designed to provide clear explanations of the new law, including state-by-state information, to provide consumers with specific information about how to assess their needs, pick the appropriate insurance and enroll before Jan. 1, 2014. For specific situations, please contact the appropriate state or federal agency for assistance. For more information, go to http://www.healthcoverageassist.com.
Ed Van Herik, HealthCoverageAssist.com, http://www.healthcoverageassist.com, 404-431-1798, [email protected]
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