The Benefits of Health Insurance Reform For People With Disabilities

Individuals with disabilities are poised to have greater access to health care under the new health insurance reform plan. There will be more choices for such people. Costs will be lower thanks to a system of rewards for quality and waste cutting. These changes will mean that Americans with disabilities will have more access than ever to affordable, high-quality health care coverage.

Healthcare Choices For The Disabled

The new health insurance reform will eliminate discrimination against those with disabilities when it comes to health insurance. Presently individual insurance plans deny coverage for those with existing medical conditions, and their only option for coverage is through group coverage or government plans, which they may or may not be eligible for.

Health insurance will be much more accessible for everyone including those with disabilities once it has been expanded to include all individuals. Premium assistance will also make it much easier for many middle-class Americans to afford coverage. It will stop the trend of people quitting jobs in order to be eligible for Medicaid benefits.

Health insurance exchanges, a key feature of the health insurance reform will allow Americans to compare and contrast the options available for quality health care including the price of policies, in order to make the right choice for their needs. There are even options for long term care coverage with certain voluntary programs.

The new health care reforms include an expansion of the Medicaid program. People with disabilities and others who were previously denied coverage will now be eligible. This will greatly help those who do not qualify for SSI.

Reduced Healthcare Costs Through Change

The new plan will give significant discounts for any medications that fall into the "donut hole" of Medicare. Many people with disabilities are eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare. The big downfall with the prescription portion of Medicare is the gap in coverage for prescription drugs. However, the health care reform will find those who are have prescriptions that fall into the gap, with a 50% discount on costs.

Medicare beneficiaries who have low incomes will now have an easier application process for financial help. Subsidies for premiums will increase. Co-pays for certain drug benefits are also amongst the savings under the new plan.

Healthcare Quality and Accessibility

Amongst the other benefits of the new health insurance reform plan are better preventative health care and chronic disease care. Individuals with disabilities will have a better chance of being diagnosed with treatable illnesses in earlier stages. In addition, the plan will be supportive of research to treat illnesses, prevent disabilities and halt their progression. Presently in the U.S., 10% of people experience a chronic condition that limits their activity.

These changes facilitate the development of a system that doesn't just treat illness, but also prevents sickness. Quality standards and priorities that are medically driven will become the norm with the new plan. Hospitals will need to report quality and performances that meet certain criteria will be rewarded. This will lead to better access to information and health options for everyone, including the disabled.