Fact Sheet: A Time Line of the Health Care Law

2010

• Temporary insurance, also known as the Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP), covers people who have been denied health coverage because of a pre-existing condition and have been without insurance for at least six months.
  
• Children under age 19 can't be denied health insurance because of a pre-existing condition.
  
• Young adults up to age 26 can remain on or be added to a parent's  health insurance plan.
  
• Individuals with new employer-based or individual insurance plans do not have to pay for certain preventive care services.
  
• Insurance companies can't drop your coverage if you become sick.
  
• Insurance companies can't place lifetime dollar limits on health coverage.
  

2011

• People with Medicare receive a 50 percent discount on brand-name prescription drugs and a 7 percent discount on generic prescription drugs while in the Medicare Part D "doughnut hole."
• Medicare adds free coverage for wellness and preventive care.
  
• It's easier to file complaints about the quality of care in a nursing home. Better access to information on nursing home quality and resident rights is available.
  

2012

• People with Medicare receive a 50 percent discount on brand-name prescription drugs and a 14 percent discount on generic prescription drugs while in the doughnut hole.
  

2013

• People with Medicare receive a 52.5 percent discount on brand-name prescription drugs and a 21 percent discount on generic prescription drugs while in the doughnut hole.
  

2014

• People with Medicare receive a 52.5 percent discount on brand-name prescription drugs and a 28 percent discount on generic prescription drugs while in the doughnut hole.
  
• Insurance exchanges begin offering health coverage with comprehensive benefits.
  
• Premium subsidies are available for people with limited incomes who buy health insurance through an exchange.
  
• Children, parents and childless adults who do not have Medicare and who have a limited income are able to apply for Medicaid.
  
• Insurance companies are banned from putting annual limits on health coverage.
  
• Insurance companies can't deny anyone health coverage because of a pre-existing condition.
  
• Spouses of people on Medicaid who receive care services at home get the same protections for income and other resources as spouses of those on Medicaid who live in nursing homes.
  

2015

• People with Medicare receive a 55 percent discount on brand-name prescription drugs and a 35 percent discount on generic prescription drugs while in the doughnut hole.
  

2016

• People with Medicare receive a 55 percent discount on brand-name prescription drugs and a 42 percent discount on generic prescription drugs while in the doughnut hole.
  

2017

• People with Medicare receive a 60 percent discount on brand-name prescription drugs and a 49 percent discount on generic prescription drugs while in the doughnut hole.
  

2018

• People with Medicare receive a 65 percent discount on brand-name prescription drugs and a 56 percent discount on generic prescription drugs while in the doughnut hole.
  

2019

• People with Medicare receive a 70 percent discount on brand-name prescription drugs and a 63 percent discount on generic prescription drugs while in the doughnut hole.
  

2020

• The Medicare Part D doughnut hole is closed.