Millions of Americans
now have health insurance due to the Affordable Care Act, but at the same time
due to the increase of High Deductible Health Plans (HDHP), health care is no longer
affordable.
Under HDHP's the patients
have to take care of a large portion of their own healthcare expenses, the
Internal Revenue Service classifies a plan as HDHP when the deductible is $
1,300 or more for an individual and for a family $2,600. Some plans available
through exchanges have very high deductibles even higher than the 'Bronze' plan
where a person spends at least $ 3,600 before the benefits are available.
Employers Shop for Health Insurance Plans Under the Affordable Care Act Guidelines for Their Employees
Employers will soon be bound to decide on plans for their employess health insurance or face fine.
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According to a report by the Associated Press - NORC Center for Public Affairs Research - 1 in 8 Americans had to forgo essentials like food or finish their savings when they are trapped by HDHP's. It was found that 23% with HDHP's skipped a medical test or treatment and 29% did not bother to see a doctor.
The alleged intent of
forcing so many costs onto patients is to make them better consumers of
healthcare. Instead, studies have shown that those on the plans simply avoid
getting non-preventative care, especially for their children. The American Academy of Pediatrics(AAP) is so concerned
that it recommends that HDHPs be sold only to adults.
![Affordable Care Act Rolled Out in Kentucky]( "Affordable Care Act Rolled Out in Kentucky")
After its passage, the Affordable Care Act in Kentucky has brought a sea change in health care.
"HDHPs discourage use of no preventive primary care and thus are at odds with most recommendations for improving the organization of health care, which focus on strengthening primary care," AAP said in a statement, according to Covering Health.
In all plans it is necessary to have preventive care with annual health checks and if there is a problem the clock starts ticking. According to a report 13% Americans have deductibles of more than 10% of their annual income. Those in lower income brackets are hit especially hard.
"The results of this survey show that these trends toward greater cost-sharing, combined with little or no growth in median family income, have left many working Americans in the middle and lower end of the income distribution with large healthcare cost burdens," the report's authors wrote. "Cost-sharing in health plans is affecting people's medical decisions in ways that should be of concern to policymakers and the medical community."
Reference: Steve Straehley
Source: Medindia
Affordable Care Act Rolled Out in Kentucky
After its passage, the Affordable Care Act in Kentucky has brought a sea change in health care.
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"HDHPs discourage use of no preventive primary care and thus are at odds with most recommendations for improving the organization of health care, which focus on strengthening primary care," AAP said in a statement, according to Covering Health.
In all plans it is necessary to have preventive care with annual health checks and if there is a problem the clock starts ticking. According to a report 13% Americans have deductibles of more than 10% of their annual income. Those in lower income brackets are hit especially hard.
"The results of this survey show that these trends toward greater cost-sharing, combined with little or no growth in median family income, have left many working Americans in the middle and lower end of the income distribution with large healthcare cost burdens," the report's authors wrote. "Cost-sharing in health plans is affecting people's medical decisions in ways that should be of concern to policymakers and the medical community."
Reference: Steve Straehley
Source: Medindia
Affordable Care Act's Contraceptive Coverage can be Beneficial to Women
Affordable Care Act's mandate for contraceptive coverage could be immensely beneficial to women, suggest Penn State College of Medicine researchers.
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 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act can Help Advance Co-Operation Between Healthcare and Public HealthA new study reveals that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act can lead to increased emphasis on prevention. | Advertisement
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