PPACA Phase-ins

Numerous PPACA changes became effective for insurance plan years starting after 9/23/10 (for most patients this would be a plan year beginning January 1). Many changes are related to insurance coverage, including:

• coverage extends to dependents up to age 26

• certain preventive and immunization services will be covered with no patient cost sharing

• lifetime dollar limits will be removed from benefit plans

• pre-existing condition exclusions and waiting periods are eliminated for patients under 19 (older patients phase in later)

• retroactive cancellation will be only in cases of fraud or failure to pay

Other changes:

• increases in penalties for misusing health savings account funds

• changes in flexible savings accounts (FSAs)

Much of this will increase insurance premiums in the short run, and employers are passing much of the cost down the ladders to employees.