The Affordable Care Act puts consumers back in charge of their health
care. Under the law, a new “Patient’s Bill of Rights” gives the
American people the stability and flexibility they need to make
informed choices about their health.
View Key Features of the Affordable Care Act or read a year-by-year
overview of features.
Coverage
- Ends Pre-Existing Condition Exclusions for Children: Health plans
can no longer limit or deny benefits to children under 19 due to a
pre-existing condition.
- Keeps Young Adults Covered: If you are under 26, you may be
eligible to be covered under your parent’s health plan.
- Ends Arbitrary Withdrawals of Insurance Coverage: Insurers can no
longer cancel your coverage just because you made an honest mistake.
- Guarantees Your Right to Appeal: You now have the right to ask
that your plan reconsider its denial of payment.
Costs
- Ends Lifetime Limits on Coverage: Lifetime limits on most
benefits are banned for all new health insurance plans.
- Reviews Premium Increases: Insurance companies must now publicly
justify any unreasonable rate hikes.
- Helps You Get the Most from Your Premium Dollars: Your premium
dollars must be spent primarily on health care – not administrative
costs.
Care
- Covers Preventive Care at No Cost to You: You may be eligible for
recommended preventive health services. No copayment.
- Protects Your Choice of Doctors: Choose the primary care doctor
you want from your plan’s network.
- Removes Insurance Company Barriers to Emergency Services: You can
seek emergency care at a hospital outside of your health plan’s network.
