The Affordable Care Act was passed in March 2010, with the aim of making health care and health insurance more affordable and accessible to all sectors of the general public, through the following measures:
- Increased accountability for insurance companies.
- Lowering the costs of health care.
- Guaranteeing more health care choices.
- Enhancing and improving the quality of health care for all Americans.
- Aiming to reduce the premium costs of health insurance for families and small business owners.
- Implementing non-discriminatory rules (by 2014) that prevent insurance refusal to anyone with a pre-existing condition or disability.
- Setting up of State Affordable Insurance Exchanges (2014), from where people can buy health insurance if they are unable to do so through an employer.
- Keeping premiums down by reviewing price increases, making the review process more transparent and blocking unreasonable hikes.
The Government is also phasing in measures to enable people with health cover including making it easier for small business to introduce a better employee benefits package that includes health insurance and features plans to access some preventive health services without cost-sharing. At the present time those with a new job-based or individual health plan may be able to access these free tests and screenings.
With health reform underway, it becomes even more pertinent to make sure you understand your health insurance policy thoroughly so you can make the most of health care services available to you. If you are buying a new plan, take your time to thoroughly explore your options, or ask an insurance agent to guide you through the maze of information.