How Aetna Family Health Insurance Plans are Changing Due to Health Care Reform

President Obama signed into law the health reform acts back in March 2010. There were two acts that made up this piece of legislation that is commonly reform to as the health reform acts, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010. This law has resulted in major changes for Aetna family health insurance policies. Some of the changes to Aetna family health insurance plans have already started, while others will not go into effect until the year 2014. Also, existing Aetna family health insurance plans are grandfathered, which means that they are permitted to not enact the required changes. However, any new Aetna family health insurance policy, after September 23, 2010, is required to include the new requirements, as established by the health reform acts.

Some of the changes that will start effective next month include the following:

Although all Aetna family health insurance plans currently offer preventive care and services, in the future, members will no longer pay copayments or coinsurance for specific preventive services, such as immunizations, well child office visits, and screenings for women. This will result in significant bargains for members enrolled in Aetna family health insurance plans that have small children, which is the group that requires the most frequent preventive care office visits. This preventive care is essential to monitor the growth and development of babies. New Aetna family health insurance plans will provide 100% coverage for preventive care.

Young adults can now stay on their parents’ Aetna family health insurance policy until they reach the age of 26. In the past, this could only happen until a younger age, and as long as they met certain conditions, such as being enrolled in a full-time college or university. However, a new health reform law requires Aetna family health insurance policies to allow dependents to remain covered until the age of 26. Many families will feel relief at this change, since many young adults, even those with college degrees, are having a difficult time finding a full-time job with benefits. At this time, they can continue to receive medical care under their parents’ Aetna family health insurance plan.

The government is almost making it easier for Aetna family health insurance plan enrollees to appeals medical claims that have been denied. This has always been a complicated process, but the appeals process is being streamlined for the convenience of consumers.

Because Aetna family health insurance plans are managed care plans, with a preferred network of providers, emergency services provided by out of network providers has been more expensive than if it had been provided by an in network providers. New Aetna family health insurance plans will not charge extra for emergency services provided in an out of network emergency room. This is a big change that will go into effect for Aetna family health insurance plans next month. There will also be fewer restrictions placed on choosing health care providers. Some Aetna family health insurance policies will no longer require referrals to certain other physicians, who also have primary care physician status. This will save some time for members enrolled in those Aetna family health insurance plans that require referrals.

Check with your Aetna family health insurance certificate of coverage to see if any of these changes apply to your current policy, or notice the new changes in your new policy.