I'm an Uninsured Woman with a Pre-Existing Condition

What Does the New Health Care Law Mean for Me?

The new health care law that President Obama signed in March 2010 has many benefits for women, including women like you who have a pre-existing condition and are uninsured. Here are some of the ways that the new law will help:

NOW: You May Be Able to Get Coverage through a Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan
    If you’ve been uninsured for 6 months or more and have been denied coverage in the past.

• Until new coverage options become available in 2014, the new health care law creates a temporary source of health insurance for uninsured people with pre-existing conditions, known as a “Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan.” (For more information visit: www.healthcare.gov)
• You won’t be charged more because you’re a women or because of your medical history, and out-of-pocket costs (like co-pays and deductibles) will be limited.

    You May Be Able to Get Coverage on a Parent’s Plan
    If you’re under 26 years old and don’t have your own job-based insurance.

• Until age 26, adult children without access to job-based coverage will be able to enroll as a dependent on a parent’s plan, beginning with the first plan renewal after Sept. 23, 2010 (although some health plans are putting this provision into effect early). A pre-existing condition exclusion period may apply.

BY 2014: NEW, MORE AFFORDABLE, HIGH QUALITY OPTIONS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE

    You Can’t Be Denied Coverage or Charged More Because of Your Pre-Existing Condition

• Beginning in January 2014, health insurance plans can no longer deny coverage because of your medical history, exclude certain care or make you wait until it is covered. (Starting in Sept. 2010, insurers cannot impose these exclusions on children.)
• New plans won’t be allowed to charge you a higher premium because you’re a woman or because of your medical history.

     You May Find Coverage through New Insurance Exchanges

• In January 2014, new, easy-to-use Health Insurance Exchanges will start operating in every state. The Exchanges will allow you to comparison shop to find the best insurance plan to meet your needs.

      Your New Health Insurance Plan Will Cover the Services You Need, When You Need Them

• All plans will be required to cover a set of essential health services, including maternity care and prescription drugs. They’ll also cover certain preventive services for free.
• Health plans won’t be able to limit what they spend on your health care each year or over your lifetime.

    You May Be Eligible for Medicaid or Subsidized Private Insurance
    If you have a low or moderate income.

• By 2014, all states must open up their Medicaid programs—public health insurance for low-income people—to everyone with incomes below 133% of the poverty level (currently about $14,400 for an individual). Medicaid has minimal cost-sharing and covers many important women’s health services.
• In addition, people with incomes below 400% of the poverty level (currently about $43,300 for an individual) that don’t have access to affordable job-based coverage will be eligible for sliding scale health insurance subsidies to help them buy plans sold through the Exchanges.

For more information on how you and other women you know will benefit from the new health care law,
visit the National Women’s Law Center website: www.nwlc.org/reformmatters.