STAY INFORMED! WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HEALTH CARE REFORM May 2012

PROBLEM: Health Insurance Costs Are TOO High!

o Lowers the cost of individual & small business health insurance o Improves the quality of health care o Makes health care more accessible WHAT DOES THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT (ACA) DO FOR YOU?

AM I REQUIRED TO HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE? o All individuals MUST be enrolled in a health insurance plan by 2014 that meets basic minimum standards, as set by the government o This can include Medicaid o If you don’t have health insurance, you will have to pay a fee* *Waivers are available under certain conditions, such as religious beliefs 2014 $95/ year 2016 $695/ year

DO YOU QUALIFY? o Lawfully present individuals must buy health insurance (individual mandate) o May buy health insurances in state exchanges or qualify for Medicaid o May qualify for federal assistance if <400 Federal Poverty Level (FPL) o Individual: Annual income <$44,680 o Family of Four: Annual income <$92,200

EXPANDS CARE By 2014, all pre-existing Conditions, lifetime Coverage caps and annual Limits are banned Dependent coverage is extended to age 26 26

BENEFITS FOR WOMEN  Ban on lifetime coverage limits  Allow adult children up to age 26 to join or remain on a parent’s health plan  Phased-in ban on annual limits  Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan  Preventive services coverage without copay  $250 rebate for Medicare beneficiaries in Part D  Phased-in ban on annual limits  Better coverage and lower cost on brand name prescription drugs for Medicare beneficiaries in Part D  Medicaid expansion  State insurance exchanges  Insurance market reforms, including no rating on gender  Premium and cost sharing credits for exchange plans  Employer shared responsibility penalties

WHAT’S COVERED? Mammograms Vision Care Pregnancy Annual Wellness Visits Breastfeeding Support Colonoscopies Vaccinations Newborn Care Mental Health Services Substance Abuse Services

Health Exchange = New Market to Buy Insurance!

HOW CAN I GET HEALTH INSURANCE?

NEED MORE INFORMATION? o o o Asian and Pacific Islander American Health Forum ( o Kaiser Family Foundation o Implementation Timeline: ( o Healthcare Hits Main Street Video mbedded&v=3-Ilc5xK2_E mbedded&v=3-Ilc5xK2_E