What does health care reform mean for me now?

I am constantly getting asked the same question, "What kind of impact is health care reform going to have on my health plan?" From the very beginning of all the changes, it has been unclear exactly what changes would happen and when they would happen. As time goes by, it is finally becoming clear what changes are actually going to take place right now.
As of September 23, 2010, we are going to see some immediate changes. The changes that are planned to take place are considered by most to be added benefit to health care plans.
So what are these changes?

-Elimination of lifetime maximums. Under the new law, lifetime maximums on the dollar value of coverage will be eliminated. Over 8.8 Floridians with private insurance coverage will be affected.
-Restrictions of annual limits. Insurance plans' annual limits will be tightly regulated to ensure access to needed care. This will protect the 7.7 million residents of Florida.
-Free preventative care provision. Qualified health plans must now provide preventative care like immunization or mammograms without charging deductibles, copays or coinsurance.
-Coverage for emergency services. Health plans are prohibited from charging higher cost sharing for emergency services obtained outside of the plan's network.
BlueCross Blueshield has worked hard to make sure all of their plans that will be available after 9/23 will conform to the new benefits provided under health care reform. Lifetimes maximums will be removed, annual dollar limits will be removed from all actively sold plans, preventative care will be offered with no deductibles, copays or coinsurance, and emergency services will have the same cost share whether in or out of network.
If you have questions as to how these changes will effect your current health plans, please give us a call at 1-800-946-3303 or visit our website by clicking here.