Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Ppaca)
I. Overview
The purpose of this paper is to present a brief overview and timeline of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) that was signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010 and to discuss its potential impact on healthcare access, costs and quality, and insurance companies. .
II. Healthcare Reform Timeline
The PPACA includes comprehensive reforms that will take place over the next four years. It is intended to hold insurance companies more accountable, protect consumers, lower health care costs, increase the quality of care and provide more health care choices and improved access for all Americans. Some of the major provisions and their effective dates are outlined in the following sections.
A. 2010 Provisions
2010 Consumer Protections
• July 1, 2010 – Consumer website for health insurance coverage options.
• September 23, 2010 – Insurance coverage denial due to pre-existing conditions prohibited for ages 19 and under.
Improving Quality of care and Lowering Costs
• January 1, 2010 – Small Business Health Insurance Tax Credits.
• June, 2010 – $250 rebate check for Seniors for Medicare “Donut Hole”.
• September 23, 2010 – No out of pocket costs for certain preventive services.
Improving Access to Affordable Healthcare
• April 1, 2010 – States are allowed to cover more people on Medicaid
• 2010 - 1) scholarships and loan repayments for primary care doctors and nurses
• September 23, 2010 – Young adults covered under parents’ plans until age 26.
B. 2011 Provisions
Improving Quality and Lowering Costs
• January 1, 2011 – Seniors receive 1) 50 percent Medicare Part D drug discount, 2) certain free preventive services.
Improving Access to Affordable Healthcare
• October 1, 2011 – New Community First Choice option
Holding Insurance Companies Accountable
• January 1, 2011 – 1) percentage of premiums must be spent on healthcare services
C. 2012 Provisions
Improving Quality and Lowering Costs
• January 1,
The purpose of this paper is to present a brief overview and timeline of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) that was signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010 and to discuss its potential impact on healthcare access, costs and quality, and insurance companies. .
II. Healthcare Reform Timeline
The PPACA includes comprehensive reforms that will take place over the next four years. It is intended to hold insurance companies more accountable, protect consumers, lower health care costs, increase the quality of care and provide more health care choices and improved access for all Americans. Some of the major provisions and their effective dates are outlined in the following sections.
A. 2010 Provisions
2010 Consumer Protections
• July 1, 2010 – Consumer website for health insurance coverage options.
• September 23, 2010 – Insurance coverage denial due to pre-existing conditions prohibited for ages 19 and under.
Improving Quality of care and Lowering Costs
• January 1, 2010 – Small Business Health Insurance Tax Credits.
• June, 2010 – $250 rebate check for Seniors for Medicare “Donut Hole”.
• September 23, 2010 – No out of pocket costs for certain preventive services.
Improving Access to Affordable Healthcare
• April 1, 2010 – States are allowed to cover more people on Medicaid
• 2010 - 1) scholarships and loan repayments for primary care doctors and nurses
• September 23, 2010 – Young adults covered under parents’ plans until age 26.
B. 2011 Provisions
Improving Quality and Lowering Costs
• January 1, 2011 – Seniors receive 1) 50 percent Medicare Part D drug discount, 2) certain free preventive services.
Improving Access to Affordable Healthcare
• October 1, 2011 – New Community First Choice option
Holding Insurance Companies Accountable
• January 1, 2011 – 1) percentage of premiums must be spent on healthcare services
C. 2012 Provisions
Improving Quality and Lowering Costs
• January 1,
References: The Henry Kaiser Family Foundation. 2011. “Summary of Health Reform Law”. Focus on Health Reform, Vol. 7948-02. The Henry Kaiser Family Foundation. 2011. “Summary of Coverage Provisions in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act”. Focus on Health Reform, Vol. 8023. Hitt, Greg, and Janet Adamy. 2010. “House Passes Historic Health Bill”, The Wallstreet Journal. Retrieved September 11, 2011 from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703775504575135440191025592.html Dunham, Will. 2010. “TIMELINE-Milestones in Obama 's quest for healthcare reform”, Reuters. Retrieved September 11, 2011 from http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/02/22/usa-healthcare-idUSN2220141920100222