According to a Medscape report, here are 10 things surgeons should know about the coverage changes from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act coming in the next few years.
1. Premium averages will increase for young, healthy people.
2. Young healthy people will get better benefits than they have now.
3. Older and sicker patients will see rates fall.
4. Individual policy rates will be similar to what employers pay for workers now.
5. Policies on the online health insurance exchanges marketplaces must cover essential benefits, some of which were not covered in the past.
6. The exchange cannot turn people away because of pre-existing conditions.
7. Plans cannot charge women more than men.
8. Out-of-pocket payment is capped at $6,350 for individuals and $12,700 for families.
9. There will be a variation in premium prices based on age, location and selected insurer.
10. There is an estimated seven million people who will join the 15 million people currently purchasing their own overage next year.
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