Welcome to the future of your health care

[Carmen813]

I am still not certain that insurance will be able to sold across state lines. I have real issues with minimums requirements for plans as those typically only drive up the cost of the plans(being forced to buy things you dont need).

So long as the plan meets that standard, and adapts if the state adds requirements of it's own (which the state has to pay for, so that shouldn't serve as much of a disincentive), than they can sell across lines. You can read through the bill and learn about how they work. It's actually pretty well organized and straight forward, one section deals entirely with the exchange system.

Minimums will drive up the costs of some plans. Depending on your income the increase cost may be partially defrayed by subsidies. There is also a new requirement that 80-85% of your premium dollars go towards actual health care costs or you get a refund. That actually goes into effect on January 1st, though some plans have waivers. The minimums were drawn based from the types of coverage that Congress and all federal employees receive. Congress will also need to buy their plans from the exchange starting in 2014.

ESSENTIAL HEALTH BENEFITS.— (1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary
shall define the essential health benefits, except that such ben-
efits shall include at least the following general categories and
the items and services covered within the categories:
(A) Ambulatory patient services.
(B) Emergency services.
(C) Hospitalization.
(D) Maternity and newborn care.
(E) Mental health and substance use disorder services,
including behavioral health treatment.
(F) Prescription drugs.
(G) Rehabilitative and habilitative services and de-
vices.
(H) Laboratory services.
(I) Preventive and wellness services and chronic dis-
ease management.
(J) Pediatric services, including oral and vision care.