Sep 16 2010
Though an array of health overhaul provisions will go into effect on Sept. 23, many consumers won't see the changes until their health plans reset on Jan. 1,
Kaiser Health News reports. If you are hoping to keep your old plan after your employer's upcoming open enrollment period, you can expect this: "Your plan will feature some new consumer protections. For example, your plan won't be able to set a lifetime limit on coverage. And if you have an adult child up to age 26 who can't get health insurance at a job, you'll be able to keep him or her on your health plan." But, if your employer makes broader changes to things like out-of-pocket costs, the plan will be considered "new" and have to offer even more features, such as coverage for a list of preventive services (Carey, 9/15).
The Wichita Eagle: Many employers are still sorting out these and other details. "Knowledge is changing daily, said [Karen Vines, a consultant] Tuesday, as government agencies write the regulations to implement the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act signed into law in March. And many of the regulations are 'interim final rules' that will require further clarification." Another consultant said that "one of the biggest decisions facing businesses is whether to maintain grandfathered status for their health plans. … Grandfathered plans will be exempt from some of the mandates of the new law. For example, companies could continue to give preferential coverage to their top executives, eliminating co-pays or waiting periods, he said" (Shideler, 9/15).
 This article was reprinted from khn.org with permission from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent news service, is a program of the Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonpartisan health care policy research organization unaffiliated with Kaiser Permanente.
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