Maniolas

By Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services Logo of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services There has been a lot of confusion about some recent notices to consumers from insurance companies that sell coverage in the individual insurance market, and I’d like to clear up the facts. Today, more than 3 out of every 4 Americans get insurance from an employer, Medicare, Medicaid, or the Veterans Benefits Administration.  Americans who purchase insurance on their own, however, generally buy coverage in the individual insurance market. Before the Affordable Care Act, coverage in the individual market often was unaffordable, had high co-pays or deductibles, or lacked basic benefits like maternity care, mental health services, and prescription drug coverage.  These plans also had high turnover rates, and often were not renewed at the end of a plan year.  One study showed that more than half of enrollees in the individual market left their plan within a year. The health care law is creating new protections for people in the individual market, as well as strengthening employer-based coverage.  In the Health Insurance Marketplace, consumers will no longer be charged more because of gender or a pre-existing condition, recommended preventive services will be covered with no additional out of pocket cost, there will be caps on out of pocket costs, and plans will have to offer a basic package of 10 categories of essential health benefits. Some insurance companies that sell products in the individual market are making changes to their plans.  Plans that were Read More …