The Massachusetts healthcare insurance reform law, enacted in 2006, makes it mandatory for all the residents of the state to obtain a minimum level of coverage, as prescribed by the state. Those residents who earn less than 150% of the federal poverty level will receive free health insurance if they are not eligible for Medicaid plans. Thus, the federal health reforms, signed by the President in March 2010 are a familiar territory for Massachusetts and its residents.
Though the state reform laws are only about mandatory coverage and providing financial help to those who cannot afford it, the Affordable Care Act seeks to make health plans more beneficial to the citizens. Here is an overview on what these benefits will be:
Children with medical conditions and below the age of 19 will not be discriminated on the basis of their health status. Adults will get the same privilege by 2014. In the meantime, a federal high risk pool worth $76.7 million will help them get coverage at affordable rates.
9830 young adults who are studying or are looking for jobs will not have to worry about expensive premiums any longer as they will be able to stay in their parents’ health plans till they turn 26.
Insurance companies will not be able to place lifetime limits on health plans anymore. The medical expenses such as the premiums and co-pays will be tightly regulated. This will ensure that residents in Massachusetts do not have to pay extravagant out-of-pocket expenses even after having access to insurance coverage.
The patients’ choice of doctors will be protected and they will be free to retain a plan that a like. New applicants will be able to choose any participating primary care provider. There will be no pre-authorization required when women in Massachusetts want to consult ob-gyn or in emergency cases.
Not just individual health plans, the federal health reforms will help the society as well by increasing the funding that the government health programs receive. Those working for small businesses in the state will now have access to group health plans through their employers. The Act will provide tax credits to 102,000 small firms in Massachusetts when they provide coverage to their workers.
The existing 333 Community Health Centers will receive more dollars to increase the patient intake and to build more health centers. The National Health Service Corps will receive $1.5 billion over a period of five years to cater to the 7% of the Massachusetts population that lives in underserved areas. Massachusetts will also have the option of federal Medicaid funding to cover a larger population from the lower income bracket.
Low Income health insurance Massachusetts
Low Income health insurance Massachusetts is one of the most important products that health insurance industry offers. Apart from group health insurance offered by the employer, residents of Massachusetts opt for health insurance policies from different insurers. When it comes to buy health insurance, a quote is very important. Low Income health insurance Massachusetts quotes are important for consumers when they want to compare health plans, assess the costs involved, gauge the level of medical coverage offered-all these previews help in deciding which health plan would be most suitable for them.
A health insurance quote provides the following things to a consumer:
1. What is the level of medical coverage?
2. What is the cost involved in the health p
lan?
3. How much are the deductibles? 4. What are the limits and exclusions involved in the plan?
5. Are there are copays and coinsurance amounts?
6. Does the consumer need to have referrals for seeing the specialist?
7. Is there any maximum limit of benefits provided by the plan?
All these points are needed to compare different health plans. Residents of Massachusetts find it very handy to compare different health insurance plan when they are offered Low Income health insurance Massachusetts quotes from different insurance companies.
