Can we expect low cost health plans?

FAQ’s for new health care reform bill – Affordable health plans for all?

I’ve had a lot of questions from folks as well as my own questions regarding the latest health care bill and affordable health plans. There were some questions that definetly come up more often than others. I’ve come up with the top 4 questions and pulled the answers right from the whitehouse.gov website. Now I realize that this is coming from one side of the longstanding health care plan debate. The bill has passed, and looks to be moving forward… so now what should we expect? Can we expect a low cost health plan for everyone? What changes for those that are happy with their current health insurance. As you look at these top 4 frequently asked questions, I’ve also included my thoughts that arose from the answers to these questions. Some of these thoughts I don’t know the answers on yet but will ask the questions and see if anyone might have an answer.

Will my health care coverage at work change?

“A: No. If you like the health plan you have, you will be able to keep it.

* Nothing in the health reform bill will require you to change your coverage. What the bill will do is strengthen the coverage you get at work by making it easier to understand and adding some clear rules to rein in the worst insurance company abuses.
* Language explaining what’s in your plan will have to be simple and clear so that you know what your benefits are and what’s covered.
* Insurance companies will no longer be allowed to place a lifetime limit on the amount of care they pay for. And in some cases insurance companies with excessive overhead costs will be required to give you a rebate. And, if your adult children are living at home up to age 26 they can be covered under your family policy.”

http://www.whitehouse.gov/health-care-meeting/questions/insurance-through-work-1

It sounds like I’ll still be able to keep my affordable health plan through my company. This is literally a medical health plan that I don’t pay a dime for. It’s fantastic But will my company change their health plans because of this bill? Will I have to pay more of a premium? They do address what happens with premiums in the next FAQ. However, I’m still unsure if employer based insurance coverage will change. I think it will and only time will tell how it will affect us all.

Will my health insurance premiums / costs go up because of health reform?

“A: No.

According to the independent and non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, people who get coverage through their employer today will likely see lower premiums.

Reform will lower premiums by reducing administrative costs, increasing competition between insurance companies and creating a larger pool of insured Americans.

And remember, the cost of doing nothing is high. In ten years, health care spending for each employee at an average big company will be $28,530.”

http://www.whitehouse.gov/health-care-meeting/questions/insurance-through-work

I understand the goal is to provide low cost and affordable health plans for everyone. And in order to do that, you’ll have to reduce the overall health insurance premiums. It would be intersting to know how it will reduce administartive costs while increaing competition. Not sure the detail on how that will happen.

Q: Will the government take my choice of doctor away?

A: No.

Nothing about the President’s proposal will interfere with the choice of doctors you have today. The legislation will not cause you to change the coverage you have at work today.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/health-care-meeting/questions/insurance-through-work-3

When you find a good doctor, the last thing you want to do is have to switch. I know in particluar this is something my wife has been worried about.

Will I be required to provide coverage that I can’t afford?

A: No.

* The President’s proposal does not require that small businesses provide coverage to their employees. Instead, the President’s proposal provides tens of billions of dollars in new tax-credits to small businesses to make it easier for them to provide coverage if they choose to do so.
* Today, small businesses pay up to 18 percent more than large firms for the same health insurance policy. The independent and non-partisan Congressional Budget Office found that with health insurance reform, premiums for small businesses will go down.
* In addition, you will be protected from sudden, arbitrary rate hikes because a worker get sick; because insurance companies will no longer be permitted to base the cost of coverage on health status.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/health-care-meeting/questions/small-business

This answer actually suprised me. I thought that was one of the sticking points with small business is they would be forced to provide small business health insurance coverage. Their not requried to provide health insurance but if they do it will be cheaper. I sure hope that’s the case. My best friend runs his own business and has had employees from time to time. Having to provide health care coverage to his employees would be a deal breaker.

Affordable health plans for individuals and small business is what we need. Will this health care reform bill provide that?