The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor and Treasury have issued regulations to implement a New Patient’s Bill of Rights under the Affordable Care Act to assist children (and eventually adults) with pre-existing conditions gain healthcare coverage and keep it. It will also protect the individual’s choice of doctors, and end lifetime limits on healthcare. The regulations released detail a set of protections that apply to healthcare coverage starting on or after September 23, 2010, six months after the enactment of the Affordable Care Act.
“The rule we are announcing today will allow employers to make routine and modest adjustments to co-payments, deductibles and employer contributions to their employees’ premiums without forfeiting grandfather status. This flexibility will encourage employers to continue offering health coverage to their employees and help to ensure coverage for all Americans,” said Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis.
These new protections will apply to nearly all health insurance plans. Limits on pre-existing conditions and annual limits will not apply to existing “grandfathered” plans offering individual coverage. For more details including the Fact Sheet and Interim Final Regulations, please visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website.