I’m sure by now you have heard the buzz about the new Healthcare law. To be completely honest with you, I am so confused about all the information out there. I have been slowly trying to soak up all the information and see how it pertains to me. Let’s face it, you can’t ignore it. . . Healthcare is highly important to your family. As the person who makes most of the decisions about our Healthcare, I need to be fully informed. Did you know that 80% of women make the healthcare decisions?!
Last week I had the opportunity to listen to a presentation put on by The Motherhood, and WellPoint (which is Blue Cross Blue Shield). They were their to discuss, and answer any questions we had about the new healthcare law, and what options we have available to us. I don’t know about you, but I had lots of questions.
Patrick Blair and Ellie Kay, both WellPoint spokespeople gave us an over view of the new laws, and answered some questions we had. WellPoint does business in 14 states across the U.S. most people know them more as Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield.
As we all know healthcare is highly important. It protects you and your family when sickness may occur. Major illness, and injuries can be super costly if you don’t have insurance. Here are a few figures to show you some costs:
- An average cost of a 3-day hospital stay is $30,000
- A broken arm can cost $2,500 or more (that is without surgery)
There are going to be four options to get your healthcare insurance for next year:
- Purchasing through you or your spouse’s employer
- Buy health insurance yourself
- Enroll in government programs like Medicare or Medicaid plans – if you are eligible
- Go without insurance – but you will have to pay a tax penalty
I’m sure you have seen the word Healthcare Exchanges around. If your like me, your not really sure what that is.
“Healthcare Exchanges” will be like a marketplace for healthcare. You will be able to compare your healthcare options.
- Enrollment starts: October 1, 2013
- Enrollment ends: March 31, 2013
- Coverage will begin: January 1, 2014 (this is for people who sign up before December 15, 2013)
Here are some important facts you need to remember:
- You may be able to qualify for financial help
- You can get preventive healthcare at no cost
- You can’t be denied based on pre-existing conditions
- Help will be available for people who make about $45,000 dollars a year, and families of four who make about $92,000 dollars a year.
- Financial help will be offered on a sliding scale. . . so the more money you make the less help you will get.
Later in the fall, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield will have a subsidy estimator available online for you to get an estimate of how much of a subsidy you may receive.
There will be health benefits that all plans will offer:
- Emergency services
- Maternity and newborn care
- Mental Health & Substance use disorder services
- Chronic disease management
- Pediatric services, including oral and vision care
Woman will not be able to be charged more. Cannot be charged more or denied for pre-existing conditions. Woman will get preventative care for mammograms, well woman visits, contraception, and more. You can choose your own primary care, OB-GYN and pediatricians without referrals. (I think this is HUGE)
All plans will come in levels or tiers. Such as Platinum, Gold, Sliver, and Bronze. Which means that if you choose the bronze you will have the lowest monthly premium, but will cover 60% of the costs. Or if you choose the platinum plan you will have the highest monthly premium, but will cover 90% of the costs.
All in all, there are plus sides to this new law. Like doctors are suppose to be more attentive, and be more helpful. Whether this happens or not is the real question. I’m still not 100% sure what is going to happen with this new healthcare, but I hope that it is going to work better for those who currently can not afford healthcare. I have always given up my healthcare to afford it for my children. Is this necessarily smart? No, probably not, but I think that my kids are more important. It will be nice not to have to chose between us anymore.
I hope that the information I have provided you with, will help with your decision. If you are still confused, or need more information you can look in these places.
*Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. I was provided with information by The Motherhood and WellPoint. All opinions are 100% mine or my monkeys.
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