September 23rd marks the six month anniversary of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. A number of new insurance protections will become effective for all plans beginning on or after September 23rd, marking the next phase of health care reform implementation. This includes extending dependent coverage for young adults, banning insurance rescissions, no cost sharing for certain preventive care, a new insurance claims and appeals process, the elimination of lifetime coverage limits and a prohibition on denying coverage of children under 19 with pre-existing conditions.

How do these new provisions affect grandfathered health plans? When will average American families feel the benefits of these new changes? Why are we still experiencing double digit premium rate increases? When and how do I put my 25 year old back on my insurance plan?

The New America Foundation’s Health Policy Program Director, Dr. Kavita Patel, explains the benefits and limitations of the next wave of health reform.