Health Care Reform Updates

Beginning January 1, 2014, Pre-existing Waiting Periods to be Removed

The Affordable Care Act (or ACA) includes a provision that eliminates pre-existing condition waiting periods from all health plans. Please note that this provision applies to health plans upon their renewal on or after January 1, 2014. This means that pre- existing waiting periods will be removed from health plans at various times throughout 2014, based upon the renewal date of t he member’s policy. After January 1, 2014, please continue to verify eligibility and benefits for all members. This verification process will provide you with member specific benefit information and whether or not pre-existing waiting periods still apply to a member’s health plan.

The Affordable Care Act - Defined and Detailed

Health care reform law (also known as the Affordable Care Act or ACA) will continue to bring changes to the health care field in 2014. These changes include the ability for consumers to purchase health plans through the Health Insurance Marketplace (also known as the Exchange). The law also calls for the development of ACA compliant health plans that may be purchased off the exchange.

Definition and Details: The comprehensive health care reform law enacted in March 2010, in two parts: The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was signed into law on March 23, 2010 and was amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act on March 30, 2010. The name “Affordable Care Act” is used to refer to the final, amended version of the law.