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| Pure Security Insurance, LLC |
| Medicare*Health*Life*Dental* & More |
| Questions and Answers |
Q: When will I start to see changes to my health plan because of health care
reform?
A: Many of the provisions in the new law will not take effect for several years. At
the earliest, provisions that affect individual health plans will take effect six months
from the date of enactment-in late September.
Q: Do I need to do anything differently, now that health care reform is law?
A: No, you can use your health plan as you normally would.
Q: Will my premium change due to health care reform? Will more services be
covered?
A: It's hard to say how your plan's benefit design and premium rates might change
until we know more about the law and how state and federal regulatory agencies
will apply its provisions.
Q: What about "grandfathered" health plans?
A: Under the new law, the plan you have as of March 23, 2010, is considered a
"grand fathered" plan. Such plans are exempt from many-but not all-reforms.
New plans, effective after March 23, 2010, are not "grandfathered" and will be
subject to changes that could cause premiums to rise higher than they
otherwise would. For example, the new law will eventually eliminate annual
limits on certain key health benefits and require plans to include a mandatory
package of "essential benefits." While such benefits may appear attractive,
they also can make premiums more expensive. You may lose your rights to a
"grandfathered" plan if you make changes to your existing health plan.
member, will not cause you to lose "grandfathered" status.
Q: I've read that reform is suppose to lower health costs.
A: Any premium changes-up or down-due to health care reform will occur in the
future. Not all of the law's rules and regulations have been released, so it's
difficult to understand the full impact of health care reform on any member's
specific premiums.
Q: Does the new health care reform law provide me with free health care
coverage?
A: NO. The new law does not mean that you're now covered under a free
government health plan. Such a change is not part of the new health care reform
law. One of the goals of the health care reform is to create additional health
insurance options, whether from private health insurers or expanded public
programs like Medicaid. The new law includes additional provisions designed to
help low-and moderate-income people afford health care coverage. Under the
new law, 2014 premium assistance for uninsured individuals with incomes between
133-400 percent of the federal poverty level will be available for plans purchased
through new, state-run exchanges. The amount of assistance will depend on your
income. The lower your income, the more assistance you can expect. Also in
2014, Medicaid will expand to cover people with annual incomes at or below 133
percent of the federal poverty level. That's $29,327 for a family of four. If you
think you qualify, the agency that oversees Medicaid in your state can likely give
you more information. As always, you should carefully evaluate your personal
situation and insurance options before making any decisions about your health
care coverage. Only you can make sure you have the health insurance coverage
that you and your family need and want.
Q: I would like to continue coverage for my child who is over 21. Can I do that?
A: A provision of the new health care reform law allows adult children to remain on
their parents' plan until their 26th birthday. This provision takes effect on
September 23, 2010.
Q: My family member has a pre-existing condition and isn't eligible for coverage
right now. When will they be able to get coverage?
A: We know that many people are eager to obtain coverage. The new law says
that starting in 2014, health plans cannot have pre-existing condition limits and will
be guaranteed. The new law also ends pre-existing condition limits for dependent
children under the age of 19 under certain plans sooner than 2014. When this
goes into effect, insurance companies won't be able to:
that are "grandfathered." Not all of the rules and regulations have been released,
so it's difficult to understand the full impact of health care reform on any specific
person's coverage.
reform?
A: Many of the provisions in the new law will not take effect for several years. At
the earliest, provisions that affect individual health plans will take effect six months
from the date of enactment-in late September.
Q: Do I need to do anything differently, now that health care reform is law?
A: No, you can use your health plan as you normally would.
Q: Will my premium change due to health care reform? Will more services be
covered?
A: It's hard to say how your plan's benefit design and premium rates might change
until we know more about the law and how state and federal regulatory agencies
will apply its provisions.
Q: What about "grandfathered" health plans?
A: Under the new law, the plan you have as of March 23, 2010, is considered a
"grand fathered" plan. Such plans are exempt from many-but not all-reforms.
New plans, effective after March 23, 2010, are not "grandfathered" and will be
subject to changes that could cause premiums to rise higher than they
otherwise would. For example, the new law will eventually eliminate annual
limits on certain key health benefits and require plans to include a mandatory
package of "essential benefits." While such benefits may appear attractive,
they also can make premiums more expensive. You may lose your rights to a
"grandfathered" plan if you make changes to your existing health plan.
- You switch to a plan that pays a lower coinsurance percentage
- You increase your deductible by more than 18 percent
- You choose a plan with higher copayments.
- You choose a plan that eliminates all or most benefits for a particular
condition. - You enroll in a new plan-with the same insurance company or a different
one-that has an effective date anytime after March 23, 2010.
member, will not cause you to lose "grandfathered" status.
Q: I've read that reform is suppose to lower health costs.
A: Any premium changes-up or down-due to health care reform will occur in the
future. Not all of the law's rules and regulations have been released, so it's
difficult to understand the full impact of health care reform on any member's
specific premiums.
Q: Does the new health care reform law provide me with free health care
coverage?
A: NO. The new law does not mean that you're now covered under a free
government health plan. Such a change is not part of the new health care reform
law. One of the goals of the health care reform is to create additional health
insurance options, whether from private health insurers or expanded public
programs like Medicaid. The new law includes additional provisions designed to
help low-and moderate-income people afford health care coverage. Under the
new law, 2014 premium assistance for uninsured individuals with incomes between
133-400 percent of the federal poverty level will be available for plans purchased
through new, state-run exchanges. The amount of assistance will depend on your
income. The lower your income, the more assistance you can expect. Also in
2014, Medicaid will expand to cover people with annual incomes at or below 133
percent of the federal poverty level. That's $29,327 for a family of four. If you
think you qualify, the agency that oversees Medicaid in your state can likely give
you more information. As always, you should carefully evaluate your personal
situation and insurance options before making any decisions about your health
care coverage. Only you can make sure you have the health insurance coverage
that you and your family need and want.
Q: I would like to continue coverage for my child who is over 21. Can I do that?
A: A provision of the new health care reform law allows adult children to remain on
their parents' plan until their 26th birthday. This provision takes effect on
September 23, 2010.
Q: My family member has a pre-existing condition and isn't eligible for coverage
right now. When will they be able to get coverage?
A: We know that many people are eager to obtain coverage. The new law says
that starting in 2014, health plans cannot have pre-existing condition limits and will
be guaranteed. The new law also ends pre-existing condition limits for dependent
children under the age of 19 under certain plans sooner than 2014. When this
goes into effect, insurance companies won't be able to:
- Deny coverage to a child because of a pre-existing condition
- Deny payment for a child's treatment because the treatment is related to a
pre-existing condition.
that are "grandfathered." Not all of the rules and regulations have been released,
so it's difficult to understand the full impact of health care reform on any specific
person's coverage.