09.23.10 | Rep. Scott Announces Affordable Care Act Patient Protections Now in Effect
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Marking the sixth month anniversary of the signing of the Affordable Care Act, Rep. Scott announced that many important consumer protection features of health insurance reform are in effect as of today. Better known as the Patient's Bill of Rights, these provisions seek to end insurance company abuses and put consumers and their doctors back in control of their own care.
"The Patient's Bill of Rights will outlaw once and for all the most egregious practices of the insurance industry," said Rep. Scott. "For example, young adults now have the option to stay on their parents' insurance until their 26th birthday. And those with private insurance will no longer risk losing their coverage when they get sick. That's over 4.5 million Virginians alone who are now protected from insurance rescissions. These new provisions are the next step towards a healthier nation and will offer security and peace of mind for millions of families. I am proud to have supported them and happy to hear about all the people in my district that are already starting to benefit from these new policies."
For plan years beginning on or after September 23, 2010, all privately-insured Americans will have the following protections:
- Health coverage cannot be arbitrarily cancelled if you become sick.
- Children cannot be denied coverage due to a pre-existing condition.
- Children up to age 26 can stay on their parents' health plan.
- Health insurance companies cannot put a lifetime limit on health coverage.
- Health plans' annual limits are phased out over three years.
- New plans must offer preventive services without deductable or co-payments.
Please find out more information on what the Affordable Care Act means for you and your family here.
# # #