Videos: Affordable Care Act 101
Whether buying medical coverage for yourself, your family or your business, there are questions about the Affordable Care Act and what it means to your health and your finances. To help Pennsylvanians better understand the dramatic changes afoot in health care, witf launched Transforming Health, a dynamic, multimedia public-information campaign.
Since November, theTransforming Healthteam has taken a look at President Obama’sAffordable Care Act(ACA) and has explored how it will impact quality of healthcare, healthcare costs, and access to affordable insurance for millions of Americans.
The ACA was passed in March of 2010. Yet, two years later, the public still remains deeply divided on the issue. And, 41% of Americans said they are confused by the law. Here’s where we stand.
It’s a lot to digest, and we’re getting closer to the October 1st date when the health insurance exchanges are due to open for individuals to purchase an insurance plan. So, we’ve rounded up some short videos on the health law to refresh you and prepare you for some of the upcoming changes that will impact you.
1. The Affordable Care Act: What is it?
Some of the key features of the Affordable Care Act are the expansion of access to preventative screenings, extending coverage to young adults who can stay on their parents’ insurance plans, and expanding access to coverage for patients with pre-existing conditions. Read more.
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2. Healthcare Vocab
There’s no denying the Health Care reform law could make for some heavy reading. It’s a lot of new information – and a lot of new language that may or may not be familiar to you. Learn a few of the buzz words you’ll need to know to stay up to speed when it comes to the way that care is delivered. Read more.
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3. A new focus on prevention
Dr. Paul Haidet at Penn Sate Hershey Medical Center explains that there is a new focus on prevention under the Affordable Care Act: “Its no longer doctors practicing what I would call reactive medicine where you come in with problem in hand and the doctor tries to fix problem. Its doctors acting proactively to try to prevent problem.” Read more.
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4. Patient participation in healthcare
One of the goals of the Affordable Care Act is to keep people well. There will be incentives for doctors to reach out to their patients and work with them to keep them healthy. But in order to make the doctors’ efforts a success, patients need to be active participants in their health as well. Read more.
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5. Electronic health records: Good for doctor and patient
Under the Affordable Care Act, medical providers may choose to be a part of anaccountable care organizationwhich is a large network of providers and hospitals who come together voluntarily to give coordinated care to their patients. After a visit with the specialist, your primary care provider will keep track of your care and update your care team. Anelectronic health recordcan be shared among different medical providers to help everyone see the complete picture of your health – not just one piece. Read more.
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6. Doctor perspective on Affordable Care Act
We know that theAffordable Care Actmeans change for patients receiving care, but what will it mean for the doctors who are delivering the care to those patients? Read more.
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7. Patient-Centered Medical Home
The concept of a Patient-Centered Medical Home puts the patient at the center – and partners them with their primary care doctor. They’re supported by a care team – which is made up of nurses – a pharmacist whatever the patient needs. Read more.
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8. Insurance under the Affordable Care Act
The Affordable Care Act calls for some changes in health insurance coverage starting in 2014. One major change is that everyone will be required to have health insurance. Eric Beittel, President of the Central Pennsylvania Health Underwriters Association explains the changes and how people can get insurance through an exchange. Read more.
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9. Assessments under the ACA
Starting in 2014, the Affordable Care Act will require most Americans to have health insurance. According to a Gallup poll, not everyone is aware of the new requirement, which is also known as an individual mandate. Although the poll showed most Americans were familiar – 43% of uninsured Americans – the population who’ll be most affected by the change were unaware of it. Read more.
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10. Incentives for healthy employees
John Hickey, the president of Sutliff Chevrolet in Harrisburg says a new wellness program is already making a difference in the lives of his employees. “Our entire program is about making people more aware and then providing them incentives to improve,” he says. The Affordable Care Actwill allow employers to increase such incentives starting next year. Read more.
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11. Financial incentives for doctors under health law
Under the Affordable Care Act there’s a new emphasis on keeping people well rather than treating them when they’re sick. There will be new financial incentives for doctors to reach out to patients. Read more.
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12. Value-based care
Dr. Paul Conslato, an internist and medical director at Lancaster General Health Physicians, says that many health care providers are now placing more emphasis on patient outcomes, rather than the number of patients they treat and the cost of their visit. Read more.
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13. Women pay less under the health law
Starting in 2014, the Affordable Care Act will prevent insurers from charging women higher premiums than they charge men. Read more.
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14. Health law benefits new moms
Pregnancy is an exciting time! You’re busy taking care of yourself and preparing for the arrival of your baby. The last thing you want to do is worry about health insurance and the cost of care. Under the Affordable Care Act, moms will feel more support in this area. Read more.
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15. What will Men’s health look like under the Affordable Care Act?
The Men’s Health Network has proposed a preventive services package for men under the Affordable Care Act which includes screening for sexually transmitted diseases and cancer, and well-man visits. Read more.
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We’ll be hosting a public forum at witf this fall on the health law, that will feature an expert panel that will answer questions from the community.
We invite you to share your questions about how the law will impact you in this online survey.
