Category: Health Insurance Reform

Topics: Medicare | About the Affordable Care Act | Employers | Health Insurance Coverage | Manage Your Health Care | Health Care Assistance | Health Care Facilities | Dental Care

Medicare

Where can I find a doctor that accepts Medicare and Medicaid?

To find a doctor that accepts Medicare and Medicaid payments, you may want to visit the Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services' Physician Compare. You can search by State, County, City, Zip Code, and doctor's name and by the name of a Group Practice.

About the Affordable Care Act

How is the health care law working in my state?

Each state may choose to operate its own Marketplace and to expand their Medicaid program to serve low-income individuals and families. More than half the states have expanded Medicaid to serve low income families and individuals.

What is the Health Insurance Marketplace?

The Health Insurance Marketplace is a resource where individuals, families, and small businesses can compare health insurance plans for coverage and affordability; get answers to questions about your health care insurance; find out if you are eligible for tax credits for private insurance or health programs like Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP); enroll in a health insurance plan that meets your needs.

What is the Affordable Care Act?

The name “Affordable Care Act” (ACA) is the name used to refer to the final, amended version of the comprehensive health care reform law and its amendments. The law addresses health insurance coverage, health care costs, and preventive care.

Employers

As a small business owner, am I required to offer health insurance to my employees?

No employer has to offer coverage. Some large businesses that don't offer coverage meeting certain standards may have to make a shared responsibility payment in 2015.

Health Insurance Coverage

Are breast pumps covered by the Affordable Care Act?

Yes. Under the Affordable Care Act, health insurance companies can’t refuse to cover you or charge you more just because you have a “pre-existing condition” — that is, a health problem you had before the date that new health coverage starts. They also can’t charge women more than men.

Can I get dental coverage in the Marketplace?

Yes. You can get dental coverage in the Health Insurance Marketplace in two ways: as part of a health plan, or by itself through a separate, stand-alone dental plan.

Will the Affordable Care Act cover my flu shot?

Flu and other vaccines are required to be covered by your health insurance without charging a copayment or coinsurance. But, be sure to check with your insurance company to find out if you must go to a specific facility to receive the vaccine.

Can I get coverage if I have a pre-existing condition?

Yes. Under the Affordable Care Act, health insurance companies can’t refuse to cover you or charge you more just because you have a “pre-existing condition” — that is, a health problem you had before the date that new health coverage starts. They also can’t charge women more than men.

Does the Affordable Care Act cover individuals with mental health problems?

Yes. The Affordable Care Act provides one of the largest expansions of mental health and substance use disorder coverage. The law requires that most individual and small employer health insurance plans, including all plans offered through the Health Insurance Marketplace cover mental health and substance use disorder services.

Manage Your Health Care

How can I complain about poor medical care I received in a hospital?

Bring your complaints first to your doctor and nurses. If you have Medicare, you can file a complaint with your State's Quality Improvement Organization. Talk to your hospital social worker if you believe you are not ready for discharge from the hospital. Billing complaints should be discussed with the hospital or Medicare carrier.

What are my health care rights and responsibilities?

As a patient, you have certain rights. Some are guaranteed by federal law, such as the right to get a copy of your medical records, and the right to keep them private.

Health Care Assistance

Are there any health assistance programs for pregnant women, mothers, and children?

Free or reduced cost prenatal care may be available. Call 1-800-311-BABY to find the health department in your area code.

Where can I go to get free or low-cost health care? Is there a web site that helps me locate inexpensive health care?

Consult the HHS Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) directory of health centers at http://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/ - these health centers provide care on a sliding fee scale so it is affordable for anyone. You can receive care even if you are uninsured or cannot pay. Search the directory by zip code to find the centers nearest you.

Are there health care facilities that provide free or reduced-cost care?

About 300 health care facilities nationwide are obligated to provide free or reduced-cost care (called Hill-Burton Facilities). You must apply for assistance at the facility.

Does HHS have low cost health insurance for families & children?

Families who earn too much to qualify for low-income Medicaid insurance may be able to qualify for the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services administer funds to States who are responsible for the program at the local level.

Does HHS help people with Black Lung disease?

Black Lung Clinics in 11 states provide services to active and retired coal miners with respiratory and pulmonary impairments.

Health Care Facilities

Where can I find information to compare nursing homes for quality?

To find detailed information about the past performance of Medicare and Medicaid certified nursing homes, visit the Nursing Home Compare site. You can search by state, county, city, zip code, and/or facility name. See: http://www.medicare.gov/nursinghomecompare/search.html

Is there some way to find out if one hospital is better than another one?

Visit the Hospital Compare site (http://www.medicare.gov/hospitalcompare/) for data, then talk to your doctor and other health care providers about the quality and experience of hospitals treating the conditions you are concerned about.

How can I find out if my hospital offers good care for my condition?

Hospital Compare offers the consumer information on hospitals performance on measures of quality. Some information is based on how well hospitals provided recommended and appropriate care to patients being treated for heart attack, heart failure and pneumonia, or who were receiving surgical care.

Dental Care

Where can I find low-cost dental care?

There are a variety of resources for dental care, including local health departments, medical insurance programs (public and private), dental schools, clinical trials and state and local resources.

What can I do to limit my exposure to fluoride?

Talk with your dentist about the best use of fluoride to prevent tooth decay. In adults in the U.S., there is little concern about unwanted health effects even from the combined level of fluoride from all sources.

How can I prevent dental fluorosis in my children?

There is some potential for developing dental fluorosis in young children. As soon as the first tooth appears, begin cleaning by brushing without toothpaste with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush and plain water after each feeding. Begin using a small amount of toothpaste with fluoride twice a day when the child is 2 years old. Also, check with your pediatrician if you have questions.