![]() ![]() Prevention for children: Health plans will cover preventive care for children recommended under the Bright Futures guidelines, developed by the Health Resources and Services Administration with the American Academy of Pediatrics. Routine vaccines: Health plans will cover a set of standard vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices ranging from routine childhood immunizations to periodic tetanus shots for adults. Preventive services with a “grade” of A or B, like breast and colon cancer screenings, screening for vitamin deficiencies during pregnancy, screenings for diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure, and tobacco cessation counseling will be covered under these rules. Preventive Services Task Force, an independent panel of scientific experts, ranks preventive services based on the strength of the scientific evidence documenting their benefits. Specifically, these recommendations include:Įvidence-based preventive services: The U.S. Plans covered by these rules must offer coverage of a comprehensive range of preventive services that are recommended by physicians and other experts without imposing any cost- sharing requirements. By eliminating cost-sharing for preventive care, the new law also helps make it easier and more affordable for seniors on Medicare and Americans enrolled in Medicaid to access critical preventive screenings and services.Ĭovering High-Value Preventive Services Including New Services for Women and Children Today’s announcement builds on other provisions in the Affordable Care Act that support prevention, including the creation of a first-ever National Prevention and Health Promotion Strategy and a Prevention and Public Health Fund to invest in prevention initiatives and, this year, policies to increase the number of primary care professionals to help ensure access to these services. For new health policies beginning on or after September 23, 2010, 1 preventive services that have strong scientific evidence of their health benefits must be covered and plans can no longer charge a patient a copayment, co-insurance or deductible for these services when they are delivered by a network provider. Today, the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and the Treasury issued new regulations requiring private health plans to cover evidence-based preventive services and to eliminate cost-sharing for preventive care. From the Recovery Act to the First Lady’s Let’s Move! Campaign to the Affordable Care Act, the Administration is laying the foundation to help transform the health care system from a system that focuses on treating the sick to a system that focuses on keeping every American healthy. It is an idea that enjoys strong bipartisan support among elected officials as well as among many sectors of society –teachers, business leaders, doctors, nurses and parents. President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama believe a focus on prevention will offer our nation the opportunity to improve the health of all Americans and reduce health care costs. Even families with insurance may be deterred by copayments and deductibles from getting cancer screenings, immunizations for their children and themselves, and well-baby check-ups that they need to keep their families healthy. And yet, despite the proven benefits of preventive health services, too many Americans go without needed preventive care because of financial barriers. High-quality preventive care helps Americans stay healthy, avoid or delay the onset of disease, lead productive lives, and reduce costs. The Affordable Care Act – the health insurance reform legislation passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama on March 23 – will help make prevention affordable and accessible by requiring health plans to cover recommended preventive services without charging a deductible, copayment or co-insurance. Builds on Other Initiatives to Promote PreventionĬhronic diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, are responsible for 7 of 10 deaths among Americans each year and account for 75 % of the nation’s health spending – and often are preventable.Extending Benefits to Up to 88 Million Americans.Removes Financial Barriers to Preventive Care.Covering High-Value Preventive Services Including New Services for Women and Children. ![]()
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