10 Things You Really Need to Know About Health Care Law
Learn about new benefits and protections for the whole family
January 8, 2014
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Health Care Law
En español l There’s a lot of information out there about the health care law. Find out what it all means for you and your family.
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1. More Preventive Benefits
Preventive and wellness benefits, such as screenings for certain cancers, diabetes, cholesterol and immunizations, are now covered.
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2. Coverage for Young Adults
Young adults can stay on their parents’ family health insurance plan until they turn 26, even if they’re in school, living away from home or married.
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3. New Consumer Protections
Insurance companies can no longer place limits on the dollar amount they’ll pay toward covered care in a year or your lifetime.
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4. Preexisting Conditions
Insurance companies can no longer deny you coverage just because you have a preexisting condition such as asthma, diabetes, high-blood pressure or cancer.
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5. Medicare Preventive Care
Medicare now covers a yearly wellness visit, immunizations and screenings for diabetes, cholesterol and certain cancers.
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6. Medicare Drug Savings
If you have Medicare Part D and fall into the “doughnut hole” you now get big discounts on prescription drugs — both brand name and generic.
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7. Buying Health Insurance
The Health Insurance Marketplace provides a new way to buy health coverage. You can shop online, and compare health insurance plans and costs on an “apples-to-apples” basis, or get help by phone or in person.
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8. Essential Health Benefits
The law sets certain standards that insurance companies must meet. Health plans must cover doctor visits, emergency care, hospital care, prescription drug coverage, preventive care and more.
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9. Paying for Health Coverage
Depending on your income, you may be able to get help with some of the costs when you buy your coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
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10. AARP’s Health Law Answers
Our easy-to-use online tool can help you understand what the health care law means for you and your family. In a few simple steps you can get a customized report that outlines your benefits and protections, and where you can get additional information in your state. Get started now.
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Visit the AARP home page every day for great deals and for tips on keeping healthy and sharp