Health reform provisions go into effect

A number of Affordable Care Act provisions took effect last week, and the Patients’ Bill of Rights, which is part of the new law, may be of particular importance to older Americans. Those who are reaching their senior years but are not yet old enough for Medicare have been subject to the most egregious insurance company abuses suffered by any demographic group.

New protections that may be especially important for older Americans include preventing insurers from canceling coverage after a patient becomes ill, preventing insurers from placing a cap on coverage, requiring insurers to provide preventative care with no out-of-pocket cost, and preventing insurers from canceling coverage due to a preexisting condition.