“Starting in September, some of the worst abuses will be banned forever,” stated President Barak Obama as the new Patient’s Bill of Rights was unveiled. Made possible by the the health care reform act, these rights will make significant changes to the health care system in the U.S.
New Patient’s Bill of Rights
These rights provide for basic consumer protection and deal with issues regarding what existing and future health insurance can and cannot do. Here’s what the new Patient’s Bill of Rights does:
- prevents insurance companies from canceling a policy if the policyholder gets sick. At a time when American’s need health insurance most, insurance companies have used loopholes such as mistaken information on an application to cancel a policy and leave the patient high and dry with no coverage.
- stops insurance companies from denying coverage to children with pre-existing conditions. In September, this ban becomes effective for children. In 2014, the provision extends to ban this discrimination for all Americans.
- prohibits setting lifetime limits on insurance policies issued or renewed after September 23, 2010. As Americans renew or purchase insurance policies in the future, they will no longer have to be concerned with having their coverage cap out if they have catastrophic level expenses and need their coverage the most.
- phases out dollar limits on coverage over the next three years. In addition to lifetime caps, many policies have annual limits which can be devastating to those with high medical costs each year. These limits will be eliminated completely by 2013.
- allows patients to designate any available participating primary care physician as their provider. This eliminates the need for referrals to see a physician such as an OB-GYN.
- removes insurance company barriers to receiving emergency care and prevents them from charging patients more because the facility or physicians are out-of-network. Allows patients to seek emergency care anywhere without having to pay higher co-pays or deductibles. It also eliminates the need for prior approval for this care.
These historic changes mark the beginning of health care reform in the U.S. Over the course of the next few years, individuals and families will find health care much more affordable and accessible. Insurance companies will be held accountable and no longer allowed to deny coverage when it is most needed.
Sources:
Patient’s Bill of Rights
HealthCare.gov
Kathy Quan - Kathy Quan RN BSN has been a home health/hospice nurse for over 30 years. She has authored five books and writes for several online ...
