Impose new annual fees on the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector.
Require insurers to raise the age limit for dependents up to age 26 on all policies.
The federal government will begin to regulate the “medical-loss ratio” of individual and group plans to guarantee they spend a certain percentage of premium costs on medical care instead of administrative costs. This will lead to insurers cutting back on customer benefits like managing provider networks and facilitating the coordination of care.
Institute a new tax of 10% on the amount paid for indoor tanning services.
Establish a temporary national high-risk pool to provide health coverage to individuals with pre-existing medical conditions. (Effective 90 days following enactment until January 1, 2014)
Create a temporary reinsurance program for employers providing health insurance coverage to retirees over age 55 who are not eligible for Medicare. (Effective 90 days following enactment until January 1, 2014)
Establish the Federal Coordinated Health Care Office to coordinate treatments and payments for “dual eligibles” who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid.
Provides a one-time payment of $250 to seniors who have prescription drug costs high enough to put them into the Medicare Part D “donut hole.”
Prohibit individual and group health plans from placing lifetime limits on the dollar value of coverage and prior to 2014, plans may only impose annual limits on coverage as determined by the Secretary. Prohibit insurers from rescinding coverage except in cases of fraud and prohibit pre-existing condition exclusions for children.
Require qualified health plans to provide at a minimum coverage without cost-sharing for preventive services rated A or B by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, recommended immunizations, preventive care for infants, children, and adolescents, and additional preventive care and screenings for women.