: : Julie Seiden, Managing Director,
Health Benefits Services |
Health Benefits Services |
631.923.1595 ext. 310
Health Care Reform Brings About First-Dollar Preventive Care
The new regulations require non-grandfathered health care plans to provide complete coverage of many preventive services for newborns, children, and adults, regardless if deductible costs are met. These regulations apply for the first plan year on or after September 23, 2010.
The government has put these regulations in place in order to increase patients' access to numerous services, such as diabetes and cholesterol tests, prostate and other cancer screenings, child/adult vaccinations, pre-natal services, and routine checkups for children and infants. In the past, many patients were required to cover deductible costs or share the cost of these services, but now preventive care will be covered on a full first-dollar basis. The new regulations only apply to in-network providers.
The Department of Health and Humans Services, or HHS, hopes that the increased access to high-quality preventive care will lead to earlier detection of disease and improve Americans' overall health, essentially lowering health care costs. In the United States, 7 out of every 10 deaths are caused by chronic diseases, like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. HHS estimates that 75% of the country's health care dollars are spent on fighting diseases and illnesses that can be prevented. Additionally, the HHS states that Americans receive preventive services about half as much as they need to.
Increased Coverage
Here are a few health care services that will be covered under the new regulations:
- Preventive Care
- Vaccinations
- Care for Children
- Women's Care
Information on all of the covered services can be found on the government's www.healthcare.gov website.
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