The New Health Dialogue

Is it too early to say what would happen first if health care reform passes? We don’t think so. Better to be ready for something than to expect nothing, we always say.

Understanding that we can’t be absolutely positive that the upcoming reconciliation process won’t change a thing or two, the somethings that will come first are:

Insurance reforms:

• Within 6 months of enactment, elimination of pre-existing condition exclusions for children (and for everyone beginning in 2014, when the Exchanges are operational)

• Within 6 months of enactment, dependents may remain on their parents’ health insurance policy until age 26

• No lifetime limits on benefits, restricted use of annual limits and no rescissions

• $5 billion for high risk pools

• Re-insurance for employer health plans for early retirees

• New insurance plans required to offer free preventive care and immunizations without cost-sharing

• Development of uniform coverage documents will begin immediately to help people compare different insurance policies and creation of an internet portal for better health policy shopping
  

• Creation of an appeals process and consumer advocate for insurance customers

For Small Business:

• Tax credits beginning in 2010

• Tax credits of up to 35% percent of premiums will be immediately available to firms that choose to offer coverage

Medicare Part D changes:

• If you fall into the Medicare Part D Drug Benefit coverage gap, dubbed the "donut hole," you will receive $250 to help pay for prescriptions in 2010
  

• Guarantee 50% price discounts on brand-name drugs purchased by beneficiaries in the coverage gap, beginning in 2011

Regular Medicare changes:

• Beginning on January 1, 2011, Medicare beneficiaries will receive a free, annual wellness visit and will have cost-sharing waived for certain prevention services.