New Rules on Preventive Health Care Services
WASHINGTON (KCBS) New health care consumer regulations will mean that some preventive health care will be available for little or no cost.
Under President Barack Obama's health care overhaul plan, many preventive services will soon be available with no out-of-pocket expenses, meaning no co-pays, deductibles or co-insurance.
"The services it will apply to are well-baby visits, so allowing children to get the once a year visit they need," said UCLA's Center for Health Policy Research Director of Health Insurance Studies Shana Alex Laverrada. "Routine vaccinations, health screenings, cancer screenings. Things like mammograms, prostate tests, anything that the U.S. Preventive Task Force says has a grade A or B. So, an absolutely necessary screening."
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Laverreda said that the new rules will also require the reporting of medical loss ratios.
"The government is mandating that insurance companies need to pay more of those premium dollars towards health care," she said.
Laverrada said that currently, most health plans spend about 70 percent of premiums on health care.
The prevention requirements take effect for health plans renewing on or after September 23. Most beneficiaries will see them starting the first of the year.
