Fact Sheet: The Health Care Law and Improved Health Insurance Practices

by: Education & Outreach | from: AARP | updated 2011

The health care law includes strong consumer protections against a number of discriminatory insurance practices.

The new law:

• Prohibits insurance companies from dropping coverage: Insurers can no longer cancel your health coverage if you become sick. (Effective September 2010)

The Health Law and You

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Through educational fact sheets, live webinars, and the question-and-answer series "Health Care Reform Explained," AARP has the information you need.

• Bans lifetime caps: Insurers can no longer limit how much they will pay out in medical benefits over your lifetime. (Effective September 2010)

• Ends annual limits on coverage: Insurers can no longer place arbitrary caps on how much they will pay for your medical benefits during a calendar year. (Effective 2014)

• Adds free preventive care coverage: New private health insurance plans must cover more preventive care services, such as mammograms and other screenings, free of charge. (Effective September 2010)

• Extends coverage for young adults: Children can remain on a parent's health insurance policy until age 26. (Effective September 2010)

• Eliminates coverage denials due to pre-existing conditions: As of September 2010, insurance companies can no longer deny coverage to children with pre-existing conditions. In 2014, this protection will be extended to everyone.