I'm A Young Woman and I'm Uninsured

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 young women like you who currently don’t have insurance. 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 Your 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).

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

    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.
•  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.
• 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 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.

     You May Be Able to Purchase A “Catastrophic Coverage” Plan

• Young adults under age 30 will have the option to purchase a “catastrophic plan” in the Exchange—coverage with lower premiums, but higher deductibles.
• Like all other plans in the Exchanges, catastrophic plans will be required to cover a set of essential health services and to provide free coverage for preventive health services. These plans will also be required to cover at least three primary care visits per year.
• Subsidies will not be available for individuals who choose to purchase catastrophic plans.

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.