Women and the Affordable Care Act

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Women and the Affordable Care Act

Women have unique health care needs, and often make health care decisions for their families. The law offers important benefits for women and their families.

The Affordable Care Act and You

The health care law protects women by providing insurance options, covering preventive services, and lowering costs:

Insurance Companies Can’t Deny Coverage to Women. Before the Affordable Care Act became law, insurance companies selling individual policies could deny coverage to women due to pre-existing conditions, such as cancer and having been pregnant. Under the law, insurance companies are already banned from denying coverage to children because of a pre-existing condition. In 2014, it will be illegal for insurance companies to discriminate against anyone with a pre-existing condition.

Women Have a Choice of Doctor. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, all Americans joining new insurance plans have the freedom to choose from any primary care provider, OB-GYN, or pediatrician in their health plan’s network, or emergency care outside of the plan’s network, without a referral.

Women Can Receive Preventive Care Without Copays. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, all Americans joining a new health care plan can receive recommended preventive services, like mammograms, new baby care and well-child visits, with no out-of-pocket costs. See a list of preventive services for women. (Preventive services benefits apply if you’re in a new health plan that you joined after March 23, 2010.) Learn about new women’s preventive care guidelines issued August 1, 2011.

Women Pay Lower Health Care Costs. Before the law, women could be charged more for individual insurance policies simply because of their gender. A 22-year-old woman could be charged 150{d8d2ed1bf001b30b3e1c0fd6c8edbf0de035466ddfc67074e3b731d9a4a8e93d} the premium that a 22-year-old man paid. In 2014, insurers will not be able to charge women higher premiums than they charge men. The law takes strong action to control health care costs, including helping states crack down on excessive premium increases and making sure most of your premium dollars go for your health care.

The Affordable Care Act and Your Family

Women often make health care decisions for their families, and the law enhances their ability to make the best choices by:

Delivering New Coverage Options for Americans with Pre-existing Conditions. Health plans that cover children can no longer exclude, limit or deny coverage to your child (under age 19) based on a pre-existing condition. In addition, the law created a new program called the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) to help provide coverage for uninsured people with pre‑existing conditions until new insurance market rules that prohibit discriminating against anyone with a pre-existing condition go into effect in 2014.

Providing Consumers with New Rights and Protections: The Patient’s Bill of Rights. The Affordable Care Act frees Americans from worrying about losing their insurance, or having it capped unexpectedly if someone is in an accident or becomes sick, giving you greater control over your health insurance and care. It also places tough restrictions on health insurance companies to make them more accountable to you.

Requiring Plans to Cover Preventive Services Without Out-of-Pocket Costs. The law requires new health plans to cover recommended preventive services, including vaccinations, cost-free. Regular well-baby and well-child visits are also covered from birth through age 21. These services do not require a copay or co-insurance when offered by providers in your insurer’s network. See a list of preventive services for women and children. (Preventive services benefits apply if you’re in a new health plan that was created after March 23, 2010.)

Allowing Kids Under 26 to Stay on Their Parents’ Plan. If your plan covers children, you can now add or keep your children on your health insurance policy until they turn 26 (except, in some cases, when your child’s employer offers health coverage). It doesn’t matter whether your child is married, living with you, in school, or financially dependent on you.

Help for Family Members on Medicare. If your parents or other loved ones are on Medicare, it’s good to know the Affordable Care Act protects current benefits, strengthens Medicare for the future, and offers new benefits that will help cut costs. The gap in drug coverage known as the “donut hole” is being closed, reducing seniors’ out-of-pocket costs. In addition, people on Medicare may receive recommended preventive care like mammograms and colonoscopies for free. Read more in our Medicare & Long-Term Care section, where you can find out about Medicare, long-term care, and other options for seniors.

Download and print a PDF version of this fact sheet: Women and the Affordable Care Act (PDF- 104 KB) Learn more about the Affordable Care Act and share brochures and posters with others.

http://www.healthcare.gov/news/factsheets/2011/08/women.html

Key Features of the Law


The health care law offers clear choices for consumers and provides new ways to hold insurance companies accountable. The most important parts of the law are broken into groups below. We’ll highlight new features of the law here as they roll out between now and 2014.

Rights and Protections

If you have insurance, these consumer protections can help you get the most out of your plan.

Insurance Choices

If you need insurance coverage or have been rejected due to a health condition or disability, you may be eligible for coverage through one of these programs.

Insurance Costs

How does your health insurance policy affect your wallet? Find out how the law helps you get the most value for your premium dollar.

65 or Older

The health care law strengthens Medicare and provides access to preventive services and prescription drug discounts for seniors.

Employers

Tax credits and new programs are available to small businesses to help make care more affordable for employers, employees, and early retirees.

If you need help dealing with your insurance, finding insurance, or getting answers to questions about how the health care system works, visit the Get Help Using Insurance section. Use our interactive FAQ tool at answers.healthcare.gov to find answers to your questions about health care and insurance.

Information for You

The Affordable Care Act provides you with strong consumer protections, more coverage options, and lower costs. In this section, you can learn how the health care law meets the unique needs of specific audiences.

Families with Children

The law expands your family’s options for health coverage and makes health care more affordable. Watch a video to learn more.

Individuals

Whether you are healthy or have a health condition, the law includes strong new protections that include allowing you to appeal denied claims and providing help with your insurance through the Consumer Assistance Program.

People with Disabilities

Find out about programs that cover pre-existing conditions, eligibility for Medicaid, and options for long-term care. Watch a video to learn more.

Pregnant Women

Learn about coverage options that are available now for you and your child. Watch a video to learn more.

Seniors

The law gives seniors new preventive benefits, prescription drug discounts and more options for long-term care. Watch a video to learn more.

Small Businesses

Your business may be eligible for tax credits to help offset the cost of health insurance. Watch a video to learn more.

Women

The law provides women with important health benefits and features comprehensive new guidelines for women’s preventive services.

Young Adults

You may be eligible for coverage on your parent’s plan if you are under age 26. Watch a video to learn more.

Use our interactive FAQ tool at answers.healthcare.gov to find answers to your questions about health care and insurance.

Full Text of the Affordable Care Act (PDF – 2.6 MB)

taken from the government website   http://www.healthcare.gov/news/factsheets/2011/08/women.html

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