By Justine Shum, MSIV
The Affordable Care Act has been getting a lot of negative press lately due to problems with its Marketplace website, but we remain hopeful that it will improve access to healthcare. The Affordable Care Act has made a lot of changes for women, particularly by increasing coverage of preventive services. With 2014 quickly approaching, here is a review of the expanded coverage that is specific to women:
Now:
- 20.4 million women with private health insurance gained expanded coverage of preventive services including mammograms, cervical cancer screenings, prenatal care, flu and pneumonia shots, and regular well-baby and well-child visits
- Many health plans now provide full coverage of other preventive services including well-woman visits, screening for gestational diabetes, domestic violence screening, breastfeeding supplies and contraceptive services
- 24.7 million women with Medicare received coverage of preventive services including an annual well visit, personalized prevention plan, mammograms, and bone mass measurement if at risk for osteoporosis
- Women between ages 19 and 25 who would have been uninsured now have coverage under their parent’s employer-sponsored or individually purchased health insurance plan
Coming up in 2014 & Beyond
- Insurance companies in the individual and small group markets will no longer be permitted to charge higher rates due to gender or health status
- An estimated 13.6 million women who would otherwise be uninsured will gain health coverage by 2016
- An estimated 8.7 million women who currently pay for individual insurance will gain coverage for maternity services
Resources:
For a full list of preventive services covered under the Affordable Care Act:
Good read on why we need Obamacare: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/03/opinion/sunday/kristof-this-is-why-we-need-obamacare.html?_r=0
