Health Law Kicks In. Does it Help Me?

The new health care law is 6 months old and starts delivering protections and dollars and cents benefits that Americans can grasp. It doesn't affect us all in the same way.

Question #1: Will everyone's health insurance change today?

Answer #1: It depends on the year your health insurance plan started. Many of the new requirements begin with plan years starting on or after September 23rd. If your plan starts on January 1, as many do, that's when the change starts.

Grandfathered plans, those existed prior to law enactment date of March 23rd and remain essentially unchanged, must meet only some of the requirements. New plans and those with significant changes in benefits or out of pocket costs must comply with even more changes in the law.

Question #2: How do I know my health plan fits in all this?

Answer: If you get insurance through work, ask your employer about the changes. If you are self-insured, call your insurance company

Question #3: What are some of the new benefits?

Answer: Free preventive care for one. Some people will no longer have to pay copays, coinsurance or meet their deductibles for preventive care that's backed up by the best scientific evidence. That includes flu vaccines, mammograms, and even diet counseling for adults at-risk of chronic disease. Free preventive care isn't required of existing health plans that are grandfathered in (defined above). New plans and those that change substantially after Sept. 23rd must provide this benefit.

Question #4: What other changes start Sept. 23rd?

Answer: If you go to an emergency room outside your plan's network, you won't get charged extra. Patients will be able to designate a pediatrician or an ob-gyn as their primary care doctor, avoiding the need for referrals that are required under some plans.

Question #5: Lifetime limits eliminated? What's that mean?

Answer: Millions of Americans have insurance that sets a capt on their insurance will pay to cover their medical costs over a lifetime. The caps have left sick patients with medical bills topping $2 million. These lifetime limits will be eliminated for plans issued or renewed on or after Sept. 23rd. If you've maxed out because of the caps but remain eligible for coverage must be reinstated.

Question #6: What are annual limits? any exceptions?

Answer: Plans issued or renewed on or after Sept. 23rd can't have annual limits less than $750,000. Annual limits will be eliminated entirely by 2014. Employers and insurance companies can apply for waivers for so-called 'mini-med' plans that offer limited benefits. The intent of the waivers is to allow these low-cost plans to exist so that people don't lose their health coverage when premiums increase.

Question #7: Any changes that affect parents?

Answer: Insurers can no longer deny coverage to children with pre-existing conditions. Also, parents can keep their adult children on their health plans until age 26.

Question #8: Are these changes likely to raise health insurance premiums?

Answer: The Obama administration says the new benefits will raise premiums by no more than 1 - 2%. Benefit consulting companies say the impact will be in the single digits, but may vary from plan to plan.

Motivation then change?

I met this woman today for the second time ever. A year ago, she was 75 pounds heavier, on 12 different medications, had a fun level of 2, romance level of 2, and a personal growth level of 4. She summed it up well, by her definition she was not in a good place.

A year later, she's 75 pounds lighter and takes a daily aspirin with a fun level of 7, romance level of 10 (she's getting married in November to a man she didn't even know a year ago), and a personal growth level of 9.

I asked her what motivated her to change?

She simply said... my to be husband. A year ago I was fine with a romance level of 2. But then I met him and 2 just wasn't going to cut it. He encouraged me to become the person I wanted to become. He's my motivation.

Then I said, 'just because one has motivation, doesn't mean one will change.'

She said, 'That's right!'

I knew what motivated her so the question became 'How do you create change?'

It's easy she replied.
Change your thoughts.
Change your feelings.
Change your behaviors.

She's done that with great success.

Our clients have done the exact same thing and they should be applauded. You've changed your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors! Look at yourself in the mirror and see your changes. Close your eyes and feel your changes. Open your eyes and enjoy your changes every day.

Visit our Facebook Page and tell us what motivates you and what positive outcomes you have experienced once you changed your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The more we share, the more positive change we will create!