Fw: National Policy Matters - How will the Affordable Care Act Expand Health Care Coverage?

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National Policy Matters - How will the Affordable Care Act Expand

Health Care Coverage?

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How will the Affordable Care Act Expand Health Care Coverage?

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) will provide health insurance coverage to

millions of Americans who are presently uninsured or underinsured. By 2014

year, 32 million more Americans will have access to health insurance through a

combination of new private insurance market reforms, Medicaid expansions,

employer requirements, and individual responsibilities. Each of these changes

promises to be particularly beneficial for people with disabilities.

This issue of National Policy Matters addresses the cornerstones of the

ACA’s coverage expansions:

1) Pre-existing condition insurance plans

2) Medicaid expansion

3) Health insurance exchanges

4) Individual responsibility

I Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plans

What are Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plans?

Also known as “high risk pools,†they are basic health coverage for

people who have been turned down for health insurance because of a pre-existing

condition. The new Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) is a bridge

program to make health coverage available to those who have a pre-existing

condition and who have gone without coverage for at least six months. The PCIP

offers transitional coverage until 2014 when health insurance exchanges become

available and pre-existing condition exclusions are prohibited.

What is a pre-existing condition exclusion?

It is a limitation or exclusion of a benefit based on the fact that a

condition was present before the date of enrollment in coverage (or a denial of

enrollment), whether or not any medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment

was recommended or received before that date. For example, persons who are

denied coverage because they already had a heart defect or seizure disorder when

they applied.

Is there a plan in every state?

Yes. Each state has a plan. Some states have requested that the federal

government run their PCIP. Other states have requested that they run the

program themselves. In twenty-four states the federal government is operating

the plan. Click here to learn more and to see how many people are enrolled in

PCIPs in each state.

Who is eligible?

People with pre-existing conditions who were uninsured 6 months prior to

applying for coverage in the plan are eligible. They need to be a citizen and a

resident of the state in which the PCIP operates. They must also document that

they have been turned down or have good reason to believe they would have been

turned down for insurance based on their pre-existing condition. Or the person

must show that they were offered coverage but the policy excluded coverage of

treatment for pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, seizures, or heart

defects.

Are the plans really expensive?

The premiums vary depending on the age of the person and geographic

location. States determine the premiums and cost sharing. However, the ACA

does set some limits to ensure that they are roughly comparable to each states

individual market rates. PCIP premiums won't cost more because of medical

conditions and they are not based on income eligibility like Medicaid.

What is the out-of-pocket limit?

In 2010, the limit for the federal plans was $5,950. This includes the

deductibles, co-pays and other costs (excluding premiums) that an individual

would pay. To view more information about the state plans, see:

http://www.healthcare.gov/law/provisions/preexisting/index.html

What benefits does the PCIP provide?

PCIP covers major medical and prescription drug expenses. It will cover

at least the following categories:

(1) Hospital inpatient services

(2) Hospital outpatient services

(3) Mental health and substance abuse services

(4) Professional services for the diagnosis or treatment of injury,

illness, or condition

(5) Non-custodial skilled nursing services

(6) Home health services

(7) Durable medical equipment and supplies

(8) Diagnostic x-rays and laboratory tests

(9) Physical therapy services (occupational therapy, physical therapy,

speech therapy)

(10) Hospice

(11) Emergency services and ambulance services

(12) Prescription drugs

(13) Preventive care

(14) Maternity care

Can you see any doctor that you want?

No. The plans may establish a list of providers. However, they must

demonstrate that they have a sufficient number and range of providers to ensure

that all covered services are reasonably available and accessible to people.

II MEDICAID EXPANSION

The ACA greatly expands the number of people who are eligible for

Medicaid. The law establishes a new eligibility group that all states

participating in Medicaid must cover as of January 2014.

Who is eligible?

Low income individuals who are not otherwise eligible under mandatory

eligibility categories and have incomes below 133% of the Federal Poverty Level.

This means that eligible people must NOT be age 65 or older, pregnant, entitled

to or enrolled in benefits under Medicare Part A or Part B, SSI beneficiaries,

or other mandatory groups.

What is 133% of the Federal Poverty Level?

For an individual, in 2010, it is about $14,000 per year. It varies by

size of the family as shown below:

Family Size

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

133% of poverty

$14,403

$19,378

$24,352

$29,326

$34,300

$39,274

$44,249

$49,223

How is eligibility changed?

Currently, to qualify for Medicaid, applicants must meet both asset and

income thresholds in most states. In 2014, there will not be an asset test when

determining eligibility for this new group. This means that things like cars,

small savings accounts, or life insurance policies will not be considered when

determining eligibility. Income will also be counted differently. Social

Security benefits will not be counted as income. This will mean that

individuals newly eligible for SSDI in the 2 year waiting period for Medicare

may be eligible for Medicaid during that period.

Does the Medicaid expansion help people seeking long term services and

supports?

No. The expansion does not change current eligibility rules for home and

community based services. People must meet current rules for determining

financial eligibility including any asset test used in their state and the

standards for having a disability and qualifying for services.

When does the coverage expansion take effect?

In 2014 all states must expand coverage. However, the Centers for

Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has provided guidance allowing states to

start earlier and to phase in coverage beginning in April, 2010.

Who is paying for the expansion?

The federal government is paying 100% of the extra costs of cover the

newly eligible individuals for the first three years. After 2016, the federal

share goes down to 90%.

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Federal

Funding

100%

100%

100%

95%

94%

93%

90%

III HEALTH INSURANCE EXCHANGES

The ACA requires the establishment of health insurance exchanges which are

a market place where individuals and small businesses can purchase insurance.

Each state has flexibility on how they establish the exchanges. States can

decide to run regional exchanges or can let the federal government run the

exchange in their state. The ACA provides general guidance on what the

exchanges must do, the federal and state role, and what the health insurance

plans must look like.

What essential benefits must the exchanges provide?

a.. Hospitalization, emergency services, ambulatory (i.e. outpatient)

services

b.. Prescription drugs and laboratory services

c.. Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices

d.. Mental health and substance abuse disorder services including

behavioral health treatment

e.. Preventative and wellness services and chronic disease management

f.. Pediatric services including dental and vision care

g.. Maternity and newborn care

What are the levels of coverage?

Plans that offer essential benefits can offer varying levels of coverage:

a.. A bronze plan will pay for 60% of the cost of covered benefits

b.. A silver plan will pay for 70%

c.. A gold plan will pay for 80%

d.. A platinum plan will pay for 90%

What is the federal role?

The HHS Secretary will:

a.. Ensure that benefits are balanced among categories (see above list)

b.. Establish that benefits are not denied based on individuals’

“present or predicted disability, degree of medical dependency, quality of

life, age or expected length of life.â€

c.. Develop uniform explanation of coverage documents and Standardized

definitions including the following key terms: Rehabilitation and habilitative

services and devices; Devices intended to include durable medical equipment; and

Behavioral health treatment (intended to encompass autism treatments)

What must the exchanges do?

a.. Certify qualified health plans, provide required information and

assistance to consumers, and determine eligibility for federal premium credits

and cost-sharing reductions;

b.. Operate a risk adjustment system and implement the requirement that

issuers calculate risk across all of their health plans inside and outside an

exchange;

c.. Implement insurance market reforms;

d.. Build capacity at the state level to enforce the new requirements

e.. Ensure non-discrimination

f.. Establish consumer education campaigns;

g.. Expand technical capabilities and create accessible electronic

information systems; and

h.. Create a seamless eligibility and enrollment systems

Will the coverage be affordable?

There are subsidies for low income individuals and limits on out of pocket

expenses for covered benefits. Specifically all group plans must limit out of

pocket expenses for covered benefits, using the same out of pocket limits that

apply to high deductible plans that are used with Health Savings Accounts

($5,950 for an individual and $11,900 for a family in 2010). In the small group

market, they must limit deductibles to $2,000 for individuals and $4,000 for

families in 2014. After that, these limits will be updated each year as average

premiums increase.

IV INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY

The ACA requires that individuals who can afford to do so maintain a

minimum level of health insurance coverage or else pay a tax penalty.

Why is it in the law?

The goal of the ACA is to increase the number of people who are insured

and it uses many means to get there. The main purpose of the requirement is to

encourage people to accept coverage they are eligible for or to purchase

coverage. Covering everyone helps bring the costs of health care down. It is

also important because insurers will be required to offer coverage to everyone

who applies regardless of their health status or pre-existing conditions. If

people were not encouraged to purchase coverage the concern is that they would

wait until they get sick and have a need for coverage and that would drive up

costs.

Are children required to be covered?

Yes, the parents or caretakers must secure coverage for their children.

Is everyone subject to a penalty for not securing coverage?

No, a number of people are exempt including:

a.. People who earn so little they are not required to file tax returns

(This is adjusted annually but in the 2009 tax year it was $9,350 for an

individuals and $18,700 for a family)

b.. No access to affordable coverage

c.. A short coverage gap (less than three months)

d.. American Indian tribes

e.. other hardship exemptions designated by the HHS Secretary

What is acceptable coverage?

a.. Government sponsored health plan (Medicare, Medicaid, Children’s

Health Insurance Program (CHIP) or TRICARE)

b.. Employer based coverage

c.. Individual coverage (including the health insurance exchanges)

What is the penalty?

The penalties are administered by the IRS and change by year. Tax

penalties for no coverage are the larger of:

a.. 2014: $95 per adult plus $47.50 per child under age 18 up to a

maximum of $285 or 1% of income

b.. 2015: $325 per adult plus $162.50 per child up to a maximum of $975

or 2% of income

c.. 2016: $695 per adult plus $347.50 per child up to a maximum of

$2085 or 2.5% of income

When does it take effect?

The individual responsibility provisions take effect in 2014.

What help is available for moderate income people?

There are premium subsidies for low and moderate income individuals.

Premiums are the amount of money that you must pay for a health insurance plan.

It is usually paid monthly, quarterly, or yearly by you or your employer. It

does not include co-pays, deductibles or other out of pocket costs.

Subsidy amounts are presented for a family of four in the table below:

Income as percent of poverty

Annual income for a family of four

Premium contribution as a percent of income

Monthly dollar amount for family of four

133%

$29,326

3%

$73

150%

$33,075

4%

$110

200%

$44,100

6.3%

$232

250%

$55,125

8.05%

$372

300%

$66,150

9.5%

$524

350%

$77,175

9.5%

$610

400%

$88,200

9.5%

$608

Who is eligible for the subsidies?

Premium subsidies will be available for individuals and families with

incomes between 133 percent and 400 percent of poverty ($14,404 to $43,320 for

individuals and $29,326 to$88,200 for a family of four.).

How will the subsidies work?

These payments will be made directly to insurance carriers on behalf of

eligible individuals and families. There are only available to people

purchasing coverage in the health insurance exchanges. The subsidies will be on

a sliding scale. For example a family with income at 133% of poverty ($29, 326)

would have the amount of premiums they are responsible for capped at 3% of their

income or $879 a year ($73 each month).

Is there any assistance with out of pocket costs?

Generally people with incomes below 400% of poverty will have limits on

how much out of pocket expense they will have. Like the premium subsidy is a

sliding scale, offering more assistance to lower income individuals.

V HELPFUL LINKS

Health Care for People with Disabilities:

http://www.healthcare.gov/foryou/disabilities/index.html

Find Insurance Options

http://finder.healthcare.gov/

Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP)

http://www.healthcare.gov/law/provisions/preexisting/index.html

Issue 11

Jan 6, 2010

The Disability Policy Collaboration

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Washington, DC 20036

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