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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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