Column: Six months after health care reform, what's in it for you?

Six months ago this week, Congress passed the federal health reform law, the Affordable Care Act.

But with all the political wrangling, it was sometimes hard to tell what the law actually does.  

Thursday, we will begin to experience what is really in this bill, as the first set of key reforms take effect, delivering consumers real protections in the health insurance
marketplace.

Despite the varied rhetoric coming from Washington, D.C. both for and against reform, Hoosiers can begin to breathe easier about their health
coverage. For many, affordable coverage is finally within reach.

On this milestone day, it’s critical that young people, their families and all consumers inform themselves about their new rights and learn what’s really in it for them.  

Here’s a rundown of what starts today:

First of all, young people are now eligible to stay on their parents’ health insurance plans until the age of 26.

Given that young people make up the largest demographic of the nation’s uninsured population, this provision is a huge step toward expanding coverage and making it affordable for young people and their families.

Furthermore, insurance companies can no longer drop your coverage when you get seriously ill, and you have a right to appeal any decisions by your insurance company that could affect the availability of your coverage.

You can rest easy knowing your coverage will be there when you need it most.
Starting today, patients won’t have to pay out-of-pocket for preventive care on all new health insurance plans.

Now when you want to protect yourself with preventive measures like a physical or a flu shot, you won’t experience any co-pays or deductible costs on any new plan.

Small business owners will receive tax credits to help cover the cost of providing health insurance to their employees.

Now insurance companies won’t be able to price small employers out of the marketplace.

Insurance companies cannot impose lifetime limits on coverage. Annual limits on coverage are restricted and also banned entirely beginning in 2014.

This is another new provision that will enable you to count on your insurance being there when you need it most.

From this day forward, no insurance company can deny coverage to a child because of a pre-existing condition. Any child younger than 19 will not suffer discrimination by insurance companies on the basis of an existing illness. And starting in 2014, the same will be true for all people.

The term “pre-existing condition” will finally be a thing of the past.

The above provisions going into effect are a snapshot of what consumers are already experiencing as a result of the Affordable Care Act and of what they can expect in the years to come.

Seniors on Medicare Part D are already receiving rebates on prescription drugs, and by 2020, the Affordable Care Act will close the donut hole entirely.

Beginning early next year, you will have a right to a refund if your insurance company spends too many of your premium dollars on overhead costs rather than on paying for actual care.

As a result of all of these provisions and more, the Indiana Office of Health Care Reform estimates that 21,100 Indiana citizens will gain access to coverage and more than one million under-insured Hoosiers will see their health insurance policies improved and costs reduced.

After all the wrangling and rhetoric, national health care reform is beginning to deliver on its promise.

That’s something we can all take a minute to celebrate.