The Affordable Care Act: Protecting You This Flu Season
December 01 2010
As we're quickly approaching the peak of flu season, the Affordable Care Act makes it easier than ever to stay protected. Under the new law, preventive services, which include many common vaccinations, will be covered by your insurer.
That means the influenza vaccine, so critical to keeping kids, adults, and the elderly healthy this season, will come with no cost-sharing for you. Individuals who are enrolled in new group or individual health plans after September 23, 2010 can avoid the cost of deductibles, co-pays, and co-insurance.
With the inclusion of preventative services, many other vaccinations are covered as well. For children, many of the vaccinations required for school enrollment will be made available at no cost, and adults have coverage for many basic vaccines.
Dr. Harold Koch, Assistant Secretary for Health, outlined the new coverage in a recent post HealthCare.gov:
For children (up to 18 years of age), this includes: Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis; Haemophilus Influenzae Type B; Hepatitis A; Hepatitis B; Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus (for females); Inactivated Poliovirus; Influenza; Measles, Mumps, Rubella; Meningococcal; Rotavirus; and Varicella.
For adults (19 years and older), this includes: Hepatitis A; Hepatitis B; Herpes Zoster; Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus (for females); Influenza; Measles, Mumps, Rubella; Meningococcal; Pneumococcal; Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis; and Varicella.
Stay safe and healthy this flu season. For more information on the preventive services offered in the Affordable Care Act, visit the HealthCare.gov page on preventive care.
"Under new plans, no child under age 19 will be denied coverage for a pre-existing conditions, period. Adults who have been without insurance for six months and who have been unable to obtain insurance because of a pre-existing condition, can apply for coverage under the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP)."
Insurers can no longer cut someone after the fact.
New screening procedures are now in place for health care providers to eliminate fraud and waste in the health care system.
Medicare Part D enrollees who hit the Medicare prescription drug benefit gap in 2010 will automatically receive a $250 rebate check.
Effective immediately, qualified small employers get tax credits of up to 35% of premiums for offering coverage.
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America's new health care law makes it easier for you to find the quality, affordable health care that you and your family need.
