To help adolescents and adults without access to a usual source of care, the Affordable Care Act (Section 10503) invests in Health Centers. Approximately $11 billion was appropriated over 5 years for operation, expansion, and construction of health centers throughout the nation. About $9.5 billion was provided to (1) Support ongoing health center operations; (2) Create new health center sites in medically underserved areas; and (3) Expand preventive/ primary health care services. By the end of this fiscal year, approximately $5 billion in Affordable Care Act resources will have been invested in health centers. Information on locations of health centers is available at: http://www.healthcare.gov/using-insurance/low-cost-care/community-health-centers/index.html.
Because of the Affordable Care Act, more Americans will have access to affordable health insurance coverage. For adolescents, the Affordable Care Act expands health insurance coverage, increases access to comprehensive benefits, and places greater emphasis on prevention and wellness.
Provisions |
In Effect |
---|---|
Medicaid/ CHIP |
|
Maintenance of pre-Affordable Care Act Medicaid and CHIP eligibility levels for children younger than 19 |
March 23, 2010 through September 30, 2019 |
Expanded Medicaid eligibility to 133 percent of Federal Poverty Guidelines for children ages 6-18 |
January 1, 2014 |
Required Medicaid continued coverage for some current and former children in foster care ages 25 and younger |
January 1, 2014 |
Private Insurance |
|
Recommended preventive services with no deductible or co-pay |
Plan years beginning on or after September 23, 201016 |
Women’s preventive services with no deductible or co-pay |
August 1, 201216 |
Prohibition on pre-existing conditions |
Plan years beginning on or after September 23, 2010 (under 19); January 1, 2014 (all ages) 17 |
Expansion of dependent coverage (19-25) under parent’s health insurance |
Plan years beginning on or after September 23, 2010 |
Guaranteed issue of health insurance regardless of applicant’s health status or other factors |
Plan years beginning on or after January 1, 201418 |
Essential Health Benefits |
|
Coverage of pediatric services, including dental and vision, to age 19 |
Beginning on or after January 1, 201419 |
Mental health and substance use coverage, with federal parity requirements |
January 1, 2014 |
Prohibition of lifetime limits on coverage on essential health benefits |
Plan years beginning on or after September 23, 2010 |
Prohibition of annual limits on coverage of essential health benefits |
Plan years beginning on or after January 1, 201420 |
Health Insurance Marketplace (Exchanges)— New, transparent mechanism to shop for affordable coverage. Tax credits for eligible households below 400 percent of Federal Poverty Guidelines, for those not Medicaid/CHIP eligible. |
January 1, 2014 |
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