Pioneer Living Survival

http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/109178/10-ways-the-new-healthcare-bill-may-affect-you?mod=family-love_money

The Patient Protection and Affordable Health care Act, more commonly referred to as the "healthcare bill", has taken over a year to craft and has been a lightning rod for political debate because it effectively reshapes major facets of the country's health care industry.

Here are 10 things you need to know about how the new law may affect you:

1. Your Kids are Covered:D?????

Starting this year, if you have an adult child who can not get health insurance from his or her employer and is to some degree dependent on you financially, your child can stay on your insurance policy until he or she is 26 years old

2. You Can't be Dropped:roll:?

Starting this fall, your health insurance company will no longer be allowed to "drop" you (cancel your policy) if you get sick. In 2009,"rescission" was revealed to be a relatively common cost-cutting practice by several insurance companies.

3. You Can't be Denied Insurance:unsure:

Starting this year your child (or children) cannot be denied coverage simply because they have a pre-existing health condition.

4. You Can Spend What You Need to

Prior to the new law, health insurance companies set a maximum limit on the monetary amount of benefits that a policy holder could receive.
5. You Don't Have to Wait:unsure:

If you currently have pre-existing conditions that have prevented youfrom being able to qualify for health insurance for at least six months you will have coverage options before 2014. Starting this fall,

6. You Must be Insured:mad:

Starting in 2014 (when you will be required by law to have health insurance), states will operate new insurance market places - called"exchanges" - that will provide you with more options for buying an individual policy if you can't get, or afford, insurance from your work place and you earn too much income to qualify for Medicaid

7. You'll Have More Options:unsure:

Starting in 2014 (when you will be required by law to have health insurance), states will operate new insurance market places - called "exchanges"

8. Flexible Spending Accounts Will Become Less Flexible:ohmy:

Three years from now, flexible spending accounts (FSAs) will have lower contribution limits - meaning you won't be able to have as much money deducted from your pay check pre-tax and deposited into an FSA for medical expenses as is currently allowed. The new maximum amount allowed will be $2,500.

9. If You Earn More, You'll Pay Morehmy:

Starting in 2018, if your combined family income exceeds $250,000 you are going to be taking less money home each pay period.

10. Medicare May Cover More or Less of Your Expenses:roll:?????

Starting this year, if Medicare is your primary form of health insurance you will no longer have to pay for preventive care such as anannual physical, screenings for treatable conditions or routine laboratory work

What say you???????????????????????????????How do you feel about this??????