Health Care Reform Changes

If health care reform passes in the next few days, what will be its impact in the near future. The following is a good list:

• 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