Health Reform Update: Administration Releases Fact Sheet on "Patient Bill of Rights"

Marking the 90 day anniversary of the signing of the Affordable Care Act, President Obama used the occasion to announce the implementation of a Patient’s Bill of Rights through HHS and Treasury Departments, as passed in the Affordable Care Act (ACA).The interim final regulations pertaining to the "Bill of Rights" was published in the Monday, June 28th Federal Register.

The “Patient’s Bill of Rights” is designed as of September 23^rd to:

• Prohibit insurers from denying coverage to kids with pre-existing conditions.
• Prohibit certain annual and lifetime limits on benefits.
• Prohibit insurers from dropping coverage when policy holders become ill.
• Ensure the consumers the ability to choose a primary care doctor or pediatrician.
• Lift the OB-GYN referral requirement
• Dismiss the need for prior approval if out of network emergency care is needed.