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What’s Changing and When

View items by selecting blocks on the timeline, or click the arrows.
You can also see all of the timeline items on one page in printable format.
Read the Affordable Care Act in full or browse it section by section.

  • The Affordable Care Act Becomes Law -- 2010
  • Providing Small Business Health Insurance Tax Credits -- 2010
  • Allowing States to Cover More People on Medicaid -- 2010
  • Relief for Four Million Seniors Who Hit the Medicare Prescription Drug “Donut Hole” -- 2010
  • Cracking Down on Health Care Fraud -- 2010
  • ExpandingCoverage for Early Retirees -- 2010
  • Providing Access to Insurance for Uninsured Americans with Pre-Existing Conditions -- 2010
  • Putting Information for Consumers Online -- 2010
  • Extending Coverage for Young Adults -- 2010
  • Providing Free Preventive Care -- 2010
  • Prohibiting Insurance Companies from Rescinding Coverage  -- 2010
  • Appealing Insurance Company Decisions  -- 2010
  • Eliminating Lifetime Limits on Insurance Coverage -- 2010
  • Regulating Annual Limits on Insurance Coverage -- 2010
  • Prohibiting Denying Coverage of Children Based on Pre-Existing Conditions -- 2010
  • Holding Insurance Companies Accountable for Unreasonable Rate Hikes -- 2010
  • Rebuilding the Primary Care Workforce   -- 2010
  • Establishing Consumer Assistance Programs in the States -- 2011
  • Preventing Disease and Illness -- 2010
  • Strengthening Community Health Centers -- 2010
  • Payments for Rural Health Care Providers -- 2010
  • Prescription Drug Discounts -- 2011
  • Free Preventive Care for Seniors -- 2011
  • Bringing Down Health Care Premiums -- 2011
  • Addressing Overpayments to Big Insurance Companies and Strengthening Medicare Advantage -- 2011
  • Improving Health Care Quality and Efficiency -- 2011
  • Improving Care for Seniors after They Leave the Hospital -- 2011
  • New Innovations to Bring Down Costs -- 2011
  • Increasing Access to Services at Home and in the Community -- 2011
  • Encouraging Integrated Health Systems -- 2012
  • Understanding and Fighting Health Disparities -- 2012
  • Providing New, Voluntary Options for Long-Term Care Insurance -- 2012
  • Reducing Paperwork and Administrative Costs -- 2012
  • Linking Payment to Quality Outcomes -- 2012
  • Improving Preventive Health Coverage -- 2013
  • Increasing Medicaid Payments for Primary Care Doctors -- 2013
  • Expanded Authority to Bundle Payments -- 2013
  • Additional Funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) -- 2013
  • Establishing Affordable Insurance Exchanges -- 2014
  • Promoting Individual Responsibility -- 2014
  • Ensuring Free Choice -- 2014
  • Increasing Access to Medicaid -- 2014
  • Makes Care More Affordable -- 2014
  • Ensuring Coverage for Individuals Participating in Clinical Trials -- 2014
  • Eliminating Annual Limits on Insurance Coverage -- 2014
  • No Discrimination Due to Pre-Existing Conditions or Gender -- 2014
  • Increasing Small Business Health Insurance Tax Credit -- 2014
  • Paying Physicians Based on Value Not Volume -- 2015
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The Affordable Care Act Becomes Law

The Affordable Care Act Becomes Law

INCREASING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE CARE

The Affordable Care Act Becomes Law

March 23, 2010

On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act. The law puts in place comprehensive health insurance reforms that will roll out over four years and beyond, with most changes taking place by 2014. Others have already begun. Use this timeline to learn about what’s changing and when.

Changes to note:

  • 50% discount for name-brand drugs in the Medicare "donut hole"
  • Expanded coverage for young adults
  • Small business tax credits
  • Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plans
 

Providing Small Business Health Insurance Tax Credits

Factory workers and welders review plans and information

IMPROVING QUALITY AND LOWERING COSTS

Providing Small Business Health Insurance Tax Credits

Effective Jan. 1, 2010

Up to 4 million small businesses are eligible for tax credits to help them provide insurance benefits to their workers. The first phase of this provision provides a credit worth up to 35% of the employer’s contribution to the employees’ health insurance. Small non-profit organizations may receive up to a 25% credit.

Learn more about small businesses tax credits.

 

Allowing States to Cover More People on Medicaid

A doctor listens to the heartbeat of a smiling young boy

INCREASING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE CARE

Allowing States to Cover More People on Medicaid

Effective April 1, 2010

States will be able to receive federal matching funds for covering some additional low-income individuals and families under Medicaid for whom federal funds were not previously available. This will make it easier for states that choose to do so to cover more of their residents.

Learn more about Medicaid

 

Relief for Four Million Seniors Who Hit the Medicare Prescription Drug “Donut Hole”

Closing the Donut Hole in prescription coverage

IMPROVING QUALITY AND LOWERING COSTS

Relief for Four Million Seniors Who Hit the Medicare Prescription Drug “Donut Hole”

Program applied only on 2010.

An estimated 4 million seniors reached the gap in Medicare prescription drug coverage known as the “donut hole” in 2010. Each eligible senior received a one-time, tax free $250 rebate check.

Learn more about the "donut hole" and Medicare.

 

Cracking Down on Health Care Fraud

StopMedicareFraud.gov

IMPROVING QUALITY AND LOWERING COSTS

Cracking Down on Health Care Fraud

Many provisions effective now

Current efforts to fight fraud have returned more than $2.5 billion to the Medicare Trust Fund in FY 2009 alone. The new law invests new resources and requires new screening procedures for health care providers to boost these efforts and reduce fraud and waste in Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP. 

Fact Sheet: New Tools to Fight Fraud, Strengthen Medicare, and Protect Taxpayer Dollars

 

ExpandingCoverage for Early Retirees

Two young retirees take a break from cycling on a park bench

INCREASING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE CARE

Expanding Coverage for Early Retirees

Applications for employers to participate in the program available June 1, 2010.

Too often, Americans who retire without employer-sponsored insurance and before they are eligible for Medicare see their life savings disappear because of high rates in the individual market. To preserve employer coverage for early retirees until more affordable coverage is available through the new Exchanges by 2014, the new law creates a $5 billion program to provide needed financial help for employment-based plans to continue to provide valuable coverage to people who retire between the ages of 55 and 65, as well as their spouses and dependents.

Learn more about the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program.

 

Providing Access to Insurance for Uninsured Americans with Pre-Existing Conditions

A diabetic woman tests her blood sugar levels

INCREASING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE CARE

Providing Access to Insurance for Uninsured Americans with Pre-Existing Conditions

National program established July 1, 2010

A Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) provides new coverage options to individuals who have been uninsured for at least six months because of a pre-existing condition. States have the option of running this new program in their state. If a state has chosen not to do so, a plan has been established by the Department of Health and Human Services in that state. This program serves as a bridge to 2014, when all discrimination against pre-existing conditions will be prohibited. 

Learn more about the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan

 

Putting Information for Consumers Online

A screenshot of the HealthCare.gov Website

NEW CONSUMER PROTECTIONS

Putting Information Online

Effective July 1, 2010

The law provides for an easy-to-use website, HealthCare.gov, where consumers can compare health insurance coverage options and pick the coverage that works for them.

Find Insurance Options: Use the insurance and coverage finder.

Video: President Obama Explains HealthCare.gov.

Video: Explore Your Coverage and Pricing Options.

Video: Small Business Health Plan Finder.

 

Extending Coverage for Young Adults

and Father stand on the front stoop with their adult children

INCREASING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE CARE

Extending Coverage for Young Adults

Effective for health plan years beginning on or after September 23, 2010

Under the new law, young adults are allowed to stay on their parent’s plan until they turn 26 years old. (In the case of existing group health plans, this right does not apply if the young adult is offered insurance at work.) Check with your insurance company or employer to see if you qualify. 

Learn more about coverage for young adults

 

Providing Free Preventive Care

A woman getting a mammogram

IMPROVING QUALITY AND LOWERING COSTS

Providing Free Preventive Care

Effective for health plan years beginning on or after September 23, 2010

All new plans must cover certain preventive services such as mammograms and colonoscopies without charging a deductible, co-pay or coinsurance.

Learn more about preventive care benefits

 

Prohibiting Insurance Companies from Rescinding Coverage 

A cancer patient receives treatment from her doctor

NEW CONSUMER PROTECTIONS

Prohibiting Insurance Companies from Rescinding Coverage 

Effective for health plan years beginning on or after September 23, 2010

In the past, insurance companies could search for an error, or other technical mistake, on a customer’s application and use this error to deny payment for services when he or she got sick. The new law makes this illegal. After media reports cited incidents of breast cancer patients losing coverage, insurance companies agreed to end this practice immediately.

Learn about how the law curbs insurance cancellations

 

Appealing Insurance Company Decisions 

Gavel and stethoscope

NEW CONSUMER PROTECTIONS

Appealing Insurance Company Decisions 

Effective for new plans beginning on or after September 23, 2010

The law provides consumers with a way to appeal coverage determinations or claims to their insurance company, and establishes an external review process.

Learn more about appeals and external reviews.
 

Eliminating Lifetime Limits on Insurance Coverage

A nurse checks the vital signs of a seriously ill patient

NEW CONSUMER PROTECTIONS

Eliminating Lifetime Limits on Insurance Coverage

Effective for health plan years beginning on or after September 23, 2010

Under the new law, insurance companies are prohibited from imposing lifetime dollar limits on essential benefits, like hospital stays.

Learn about how the law eliminates lifetime limits

 

Regulating Annual Limits on Insurance Coverage

Smiling senior woman sitting up in a hospital bed

NEW CONSUMER PROTECTIONS

Regulating Annual Limits on Insurance Coverage

Effective for health plan years beginning on or after September 23, 2010

Under the new law, insurance companies’ use of annual dollar limits on the amount of insurance coverage a patient may receive is restricted for new plans in the individual market and all group plans. In 2014, the use of annual dollar limits on essential benefits like hospital stays will be banned for new plans in the individual market and all group plans.

Learn about how the law regulates annual limits

 

Prohibiting Denying Coverage of Children Based on Pre-Existing Conditions

A child uses an asthma inhaler

NEW CONSUMER PROTECTIONS

Prohibiting Denying Coverage of Children Based on Pre-Existing Conditions

Effective for health plan years beginning on or after September 23, 2010 for new plans and existing group plans

The new law includes new rules to prevent insurance companies from denying coverage to children under the age of 19 due to a pre-existing condition.

Learn how the law protects children with pre-existing conditions

 

Holding Insurance Companies Accountable for Unreasonable Rate Hikes

Curbing the costs of insurance rates over time

INCREASING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE CARE

Holding Insurance Companies Accountable for Unreasonable Rate Hikes

Grants will be awarded beginning in 2010

The law allows states that have, or plan to implement, measures that require insurance companies to justify their premium increases to be eligible for $250 million in new grants. Insurance companies with excessive or unjustified premium increases may not be able to participate in the new Affordable Insurance Exchanges in 2014.

Learn how the law ensures value and accountability for your premiums

 

Rebuilding the Primary Care Workforce  

Medical students observe a physician with a patient

INCREASING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE CARE 

Rebuilding the Primary Care Workforce  

Effective 2010

To strengthen the availability of primary care, there are new incentives in the law to expand the number of primary care doctors, nurses and physician assistants, including funding for scholarships and loan repayments for primary care doctors and nurses working in underserved areas.  Doctors and nurses receiving payments made under any state loan repayment or loan forgiveness program intended to increase the availability of health care services in underserved or health professional shortage areas will not have to pay taxes on those payments.

Learn more about rebuilding the primary care workforce under the Affordable Care Act.

 

Establishing Consumer Assistance Programs in the States

A women answers questions by phone

NEW CONSUMER PROTECTIONS

Establishing Consumer Assistance Programs in the States

Grants Awarded October 2010

Under the new law, states that apply receive federal grants to help set up or expand independent offices to help consumers navigate the private health insurance system. These programs help consumers file complaints and appeals; enroll in health coverage; and get educated about their rights and responsibilities in group health plans or individual health insurance policies. The programs also collect data on the types of problems consumers have, and file reports with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to identify trouble spots that need further oversight.

Learn more about Consumer Assistance Programs.

 

Preventing Disease and Illness

$15 billion to help keep america healthy

IMPROVING QUALITY AND LOWERING COSTS

Preventing Disease and Illness

Funding begins in 2010

A new $15 billion Prevention and Public Health Fund invests in proven prevention and public health programs that can help keep Americans healthy – from smoking cessation to combating obesity.

Learn more about the Prevention and Public Health Fund

See prevention funding and grants in your state

 

Strengthening Community Health Centers

Blueprints of a clinic waiting room, exam rooms, and reception area

INCREASING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE CARE 

Strengthening Community Health Centers

Effective 2010

The law includes new funding to support the construction of and expansion of services at community health centers, allowing these centers to serve some 20 million new patients across the country.

Learn more about community health centers and the Affordable Care Act

 

Payments for Rural Health Care Providers

A patient is helped at the front desk of a small clinic

INCREASING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE CARE

Payments for Rural Health Care Providers

Effective 2010

Today, 68% of medically underserved communities across the nation are in rural areas, and these communities often have trouble attracting and retaining medical professionals. The law provides increased payment to rural health care providers to help them continue to serve their communities.

Learn more about Rural Americans and the Affordable Care Act

 

Prescription Drug Discounts

50% off brand name drugs

IMPROVING QUALITY AND LOWERING COSTS

Prescription Drug Discounts

Effective January 1, 2011

In 2011, seniors who reach the coverage gap will receive a 50 percent discount when buying Medicare Part D covered brand-name prescription drugs. Over the next ten years, seniors will receive additional savings on brand-name and generic drugs until the coverage gap is closed in 2020.

Learn more about 50% brand-name drug discounts in 2011.

 

Free Preventive Care for Seniors

An elderly patient gets a check-up from her doctor

IMPROVING QUALITY AND LOWERING COSTS

Free Preventive Care for Seniors

Effective January 1, 2011

The law provides certain free preventive services, such as annual wellness visits and personalized prevention plans, for seniors on Medicare. 

Learn more about preventive services under Medicare

 

Bringing Down Health Care Premiums

At least 85% of every health insurance dollar must be spent on health care and improving quality

HOLDING INSURANCE COMPANIES ACCOUNTABLE

Bringing Down Health Care Premiums

Effective January 1, 2011 

To ensure premium dollars are spent primarily on health care, the new law generally requires that at least 85% of all premium dollars collected by insurance companies for large employer plans are spent on health care services and health care quality improvement.  For plans sold to individuals and small employers, at least 80% of the premium must be spent on benefits and quality improvement. If insurance companies do not meet these goals because their administrative costs or profits are too high, they must provide rebates to consumers.

Learn more about getting value for your health care dollars.

 

Addressing Overpayments to Big Insurance Companies and Strengthening Medicare Advantage

Stacked gold coins in the foreground of a red bar graph pointing downward

HOLDING INSURANCE COMPANIES ACCOUNTABLE

Addressing Overpayments to Big Insurance Companies and Strengthening Medicare Advantage

Effective January 1, 2011

Today, Medicare pays Medicare Advantage insurance companies over $1,000 more per person on average than is spent per person in Original Medicare. This results in increased premiums for all Medicare beneficiaries, including the 77% of beneficiaries who are not currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. The new law levels the playing field by gradually eliminating this discrepancy.  People enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan will still receive all guaranteed Medicare benefits, and the law provides bonus payments to Medicare Advantage plans that provide high quality care.  

Learn more about Medicare and the health care law.

 

Improving Health Care Quality and Efficiency

A smiling doctor leans down to talk to a patient in a wheelchair

IMPROVING QUALITY AND LOWERING COSTS

Improving Health Care Quality and Efficiency

Effective no later than January 1, 2011

The law establishes a new Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation that will begin testing new ways of delivering care to patients. These new methods are expected to improve the quality of care and reduce the rate of growth in costs for Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). 

Learn more about the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation

 

Improving Care for Seniors after They Leave the Hospital

A home health care worker goes over medications with her senior patient

IMPROVING QUALITY AND LOWERING COSTS

Improving Care for Seniors after They Leave the Hospital

Effective January 1, 2011

The Community Care Transitions Program helps high-risk Medicare beneficiaries who are hospitalized avoid unnecessary readmissions by coordinating care and connecting patients to services in their communities.

Learn more about the Community Care Transitions Program

 

New Innovations to Bring Down Costs

A brightly lit light bulb with a dollar sign as the filament

IMPROVING QUALITY AND LOWERING COSTS

New Innovations to Bring Down Costs

Administrative funding becomes available October 1, 2011

The Independent Payment Advisory Board will begin operations to develop and submit proposals to Congress and the President aimed at extending the life of the Medicare Trust Fund.  The Board is expected to focus on ways to target waste in the system, and recommend ways to reduce costs, improve health outcomes for patients, and expand access to high-quality care. 

Learn more about strengthening Medicare

 

Increasing Access to Services at Home and in the Community

A patient has her blood pressure checked by a doctor in her living room

INCREASING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE CARE

Increasing Access to Services at Home and in the Community

Effective beginning October 1, 2011

The new Community First Choice Option allows states to offer home and community based services to disabled people through Medicaid rather than institutional care in nursing homes.

Learn more about the Community First Choice Option

 

Encouraging Integrated Health Systems

IMPROVING QUALITY AND LOWERING COSTS

Encouraging Integrated Health Systems

Effective January 1, 2012

The new law provides incentives for physicians to join together to form “Accountable Care Organizations.” In these groups, doctors can better coordinate patient care and improve the quality, help prevent disease and illness, and reduce unnecessary hospital admissions. If Accountable Care Organizations provide high quality care and reduce costs to the health care system, they can keep some of the money that they have helped save.

Lean more about Accountable Care Organizations

 

Understanding and Fighting Health Disparities

People of all races and ethnicities holding hands

IMPROVING QUALITY AND LOWERING COSTS

Understanding and Fighting Health Disparities

Effective March, 2012

To help understand and reduce persistent health disparities, the law requires any ongoing or new federal health program to collect and report racial, ethnic, and language data. The Secretary of Health and Human Services will use this data to help identify and reduce disparities.

Learn more about health disparities and the Affordable Care Act.

 

Providing New, Voluntary Options for Long-Term Care Insurance

A disabled woman enjoys a summer day with her parents and daughter

INCREASING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE CARE

Providing New, Voluntary Options for Long-Term Care Insurance

The law creates a voluntary long-term care insurance program – called CLASS -- to provide cash benefits to adults who become disabled. 

Note: On October 14, 2011, Secretary Sebelius transmitted a report and letter to Congress stating that the Department does not see a viable path forward for CLASS implementation at this time. View a copy of the CLASS report.
Read about the original CLASS proposal.
 

Reducing Paperwork and Administrative Costs

A nurse uses a tablet laptop to record patient information

IMPROVING QUALITY AND LOWERING COSTS

Reducing Paperwork and Administrative Costs

First regulation effective October 1, 2012

Health care remains one of the few industries that relies on paper records. The new law institutes a series of changes to standardize billing and requires health plans to begin adopting and implementing rules for the secure, confidential, electronic exchange of health information. Using electronic health records will reduce paperwork and administrative burdens, cut costs, reduce medical errors and, most importantly, improve the quality of care.

Learn how the law improves the health care system for providers, professionals, and patients

 

Linking Payment to Quality Outcomes

A doctor listens to her patient’s breathing

IMPROVING QUALITY AND LOWERING COSTS

Linking Payment to Quality Outcomes

Effective for payments for discharges occurring on or after October 1, 2012

The law establishes a hospital Value-Based Purchasing program (VBP) in Original Medicare. This program offers financial incentives to hospitals to improve the quality of care. Hospital performance is required to be publicly reported, beginning with measures relating to heart attacks, heart failure, pneumonia, surgical care, health-care associated infections, and patients’ perception of care.

 

Improving Preventive Health Coverage

A young boy is getting the nasal spray flu vaccine from his pediatrician

IMPROVING QUALITY AND LOWERING COSTS

Improving Preventive Health Coverage

Effective January 1, 2013

To expand the number of Americans receiving preventive care, the law provides new funding to state Medicaid programs that choose to cover preventive services for patients at little or no cost.

 

Increasing Medicaid Payments for Primary Care Doctors

A primary care physician examines the ears of a teenage girl

INCREASING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE CARE

Increasing Medicaid Payments for Primary Care Doctors

Effective January 1, 2013

As Medicaid programs and providers prepare to cover more patients in 2014, the Act requires states to pay primary care physicians no less than 100% of Medicare payment rates in 2013 and 2014 for primary care services. The increase is fully funded by the federal government.

Learn how the law supports and strengthens primary care providers

 

Expanded Authority to Bundle Payments

Doctors and specialists review charts together

IMPROVING QUALITY AND LOWERING COSTS

Expanded Authority to Bundle Payments

Effective no later than January 1, 2013.

The law establishes a national pilot program to encourage hospitals, doctors, and other providers to work together to improve the coordination and quality of patient care.  Under payment “bundling,” hospitals, doctors, and providers are paid a flat rate for an episode of care rather than the current fragmented system where each service or test or bundles of items or services are billed separately to Medicare. For example, instead of a surgical procedure generating multiple claims from multiple providers, the entire team is compensated with a “bundled” payment that provides incentives to deliver health care services more efficiently while maintaining or improving quality of care. It aligns the incentives of those delivering care, and savings are shared between providers and the Medicare program.

 

Additional Funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

A nurse cleans the arm of a small boy

INCREASING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE CARE

Additional Funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

Effective October 1, 2013

Under the new law, states will receive two more years of funding to continue coverage for children not eligible for Medicaid.

Learn more about CHIP

 

Establishing Affordable Insurance Exchanges

Simple comparison of two coverage options

IMPROVING QUALITY AND LOWERING COSTS

Establishing Affordable Insurance Exchanges

Effective January 1, 2014

Starting in 2014 if your employer doesn’t offer insurance, you will be able to buy it directly in an Affordable Insurance Exchange. An Exchange is a new transparent and competitive insurance marketplace where individuals and small businesses can buy affordable and qualified health benefit plans.  Exchanges will offer you a choice of health plans that meet certain benefits and cost standards.  Starting in 2014, Members of Congress will be getting their health care insurance through Exchanges, and you will be able buy your insurance through Exchanges too.

Learn more about Affordable Insurance Exchanges.

 

Promoting Individual Responsibility

There are multiple paths to get to health care

INCREASING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE CARE

Promoting Individual Responsibility

Effective January 1, 2014

Under the new law, most individuals who can afford it will be required to obtain basic health insurance coverage or pay a fee to help offset the costs of caring for uninsured Americans.  If affordable coverage is not available to an individual, he or she will be eligible for an exemption.

Learn more about individual responsibility and the law

 

Ensuring Free Choice

Professional painters work on covering the side of an office building

INCREASING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE CARE

Ensuring Free Choice

Effective January 1, 2014

Workers meeting certain requirements who cannot afford the coverage provided by their employer may take whatever funds their employer might have contributed to their insurance and use these resources to help purchase a more affordable plan in the new Affordable Insurance Exchanges. These new competitive marketplaces will allow individuals and small businesses to buy qualified health benefit plans.

 

Increasing Access to Medicaid

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Logo

INCREASING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE CARE

Increasing Access to Medicaid

Effective January 1, 2014

Americans who earn less than 133% of the poverty level (approximately $14,000 for an individual and $29,000 for a family of four) will be eligible to enroll in Medicaid. States will receive 100% federal funding for the first three years to support this expanded coverage, phasing to 90% federal funding in subsequent years.

Learn more about Medicaid

 

Makes Care More Affordable

The number of people covered increases while deductibles, coinsurance costs, and copayments go down

IMPROVING QUALITY AND LOWERING COSTS

Makes Care More Affordable

Effective January 1, 2014

Tax credits to help the middle class afford insurance will become available for those with income between 100% and 400% of the poverty line who are not eligible for other affordable coverage. (In 2010, 400% of the poverty line comes out to about $43,000 for an individual or $88,000 for a family of four.) The tax credit is advanceable, so it can lower your premium payments each month, rather than making you wait for tax time. It’s also refundable, so even moderate income families can receive the full benefit of the credit.  These individuals may also qualify for reduced cost-sharing (copayments, co-insurance, and deductibles).

Learn how the law will make care more affordable in 2014 

 

Ensuring Coverage for Individuals Participating in Clinical Trials

A doctor gives instructions to a patient joining a clinical trial

NEW CONSUMER PROTECTIONS

Ensuring Coverage for Individuals Participating in Clinical Trials

Effective January 1, 2014

Insurers will be prohibited from dropping or limiting coverage because an individual chooses to participate in a clinical trial. This applies to all clinical trials that treat cancer or other life-threatening diseases. 

 

Eliminating Annual Limits on Insurance Coverage

Personal documents sit on a desk, including an insurance policy

NEW CONSUMER PROTECTIONS

Eliminating Annual Limits on Insurance Coverage

Effective January 1, 2014

The law prohibits new plans and existing group plans from imposing annual dollar limits on the amount of coverage an individual may receive.

Learn how the law will phase out annual limits by 2014

 

No Discrimination Due to Pre-Existing Conditions or Gender

NEW CONSUMER PROTECTIONS

No Discrimination Due to Pre-Existing Conditions or Gender

Effective January 1, 2014

The law implements strong reforms that prohibit insurance companies from refusing to sell coverage or renew policies because of an individual’s pre-existing conditions. Also, in the individual and small group market, it eliminates the ability of insurance companies to charge higher rates due to gender or health status.

Learn more about protecting Americans with pre-existing conditions

 

Increasing Small Business Health Insurance Tax Credit

small business

IMPROVING QUALITY AND LOWERING COSTS

Increasing Small Business Health Insurance Tax Credit

Effective January 1, 2014   

The law implements the second phase of the small business tax credit for qualified small businesses and small non-profit organizations. In this phase, the credit is up to 50% of the employer’s contribution to provide health insurance for employees.  There is also up to a 35% credit for small non-profit organizations.

Learn more about the small business tax credit

 

Paying Physicians Based on Value Not Volume

A doctor reviews paperwork with a patient before taking x-ray

IMPROVING QUALITY AND LOWERING COSTS

Paying Physicians Based on Value Not Volume

Effective January 1, 2015

A new provision will tie physician payments to the quality of care they provide. Physicians will see their payments modified so that those who provide higher value care will receive higher payments than those who provide lower quality care. 

 
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