It is the time of year when many people consider health care coverage for next year and there are some big changes that could impact your family care.
The new federal Health Care Reform Act will change everything from pre-existing conditions to prescriptions, 10TV's Joanna Freeman reported.
For many people, it is time for open enrollment, which means choosing the right insurance plan for you and your family.
SPECIAL SECTION: Health
The new coverage makes it possible for people who were previously denied coverage, or who have
an illness, to get insurance. Those consumers can pay for their health insurance through the Ohio
High Risk Pool.
You can also buy into the pool you have been without insurance for more than six months,
Freeman reported.
"I think people are happy that their insurance coverage is getting better and covers more of the things that will cover more of their care," said Ohio Department of Insurance spokesman Doug Anderson.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act also eliminates lifetime benefit limits and restricted annual limits, meaning your insurance provider cannot drop your coverage if you have a chronic illness.
Another big change takes away co-pays and deductibles for all preventive care.
The law also increased the dependent age to 28, meaning children can remain covered through their parent's insurance through college and higher education.
"Young people are a segment of the population after they graduate from high school or college that has a really high rate of being uninsured," Anderson said.
The changes are expected to expand health coverage to more than 900,000 Ohioans, Anderson said.
One of the drawbacks to the reform is that over-the-counter drugs will no longer be covered
through flexible spending accounts.
Watch 10TV News HD and refresh 10TV.com for additional information.
More Information:
- Ohio Health Care Reform Information
- 1-800-686-1526
