Patients who enroll in a health insurance plan on or after September 23, 2010 will be eligible for a long list of free preventative health services when they are delivered by a network provider. This new rule is a provision of the Affordable Care Act, in order to make wellness and prevention services more affordable, accessible, and appealing to Americans. Insurance plans will be required to cover all evidence-based preventive services that are recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Some of the services included are: blood pressure, diabetes, and many cancer screenings. Also included are cholesterol tests, routine vaccinations, regular well-baby and well-child visits, tobacco cessation interventions, and much more.
Not everyone agrees with the intentions of this new rule. Some concern has been shown that these services might be offered, but the next challenge will be to convince Americans to take advantage of them. Others are concerned about an increase in insurance premiums as these out-of-pocket costs are eliminated.
Sources:
New Health Insurance Plans Required to Provide Free Preventive Health Care
The Affordable Care Act’s New Rules on Preventive Care and You
Health Plans to Provide Free Preventive Care
