Under the Affordable Care Act enacted in 2010, dozens of changes to the healthcare system have already gone into effect. Among these changes was the inclusion of provisions for free preventive care services on or after September 23, 2010, which includes mammograms and colonoscopies. Effective January 1, 2011 the law began providing certain free preventive services for seniors, including annual wellness visits.
The changes under the Affordable Care Act are designed to ensure that every American has comprehensive healthcare. Many additional changes have taken place since the enactment of the new law, and many more are to come.
Here are a few of the changes that will take place going forward, as long as the Affordable Care Act remains in effect:
Value-Based Purchasing (VBP)- Effective October 1, 2012, the VBP law was established in Original Medicare, and offers financial incentives to hospitals with the aim of improving the quality of care. Hospitals are required to publicly report their performance and are held accountable for providing quality care at affordable rates.
Improvements to Preventive Health Coverage– Effective January 1, 2013 the law will require an expansion in the number of Americans receiving preventive care. Medicaid programs that choose to cover preventive services for patients at little or no cost will provide new funding under the program.
Affordable Insurance Exchanges– Effective January 1, 2014, individuals whose employers don’t offer insurance will be able to buy it directly in an Affordable Insurance Exchange. An exchange is described on healthcare.gov as “a new transparent and competitive insurance marketplace where individuals and small businesses can buy affordable and qualified health benefit plans.”
For a complete timeline of upcoming changes and those that have already gone into effect under the Affordable Care Act, visit healthcare.gov.
A knowledgeable insurance agent can help you understand how the changes to healthcare laws affect you. Benefit Packages decades of experience with trusted names in healthcare like Anthem Blue Cross of California and Blue Shield Medicare. To speak with a licensed agent today, call 1-800-356-3615.