SCOTUS on PPACA (ObamaCare) June 28, 2012

Live blog while watching the decision on Scotusblog.

PPACA (ObamaCare) is upheld and will go forward! Individual mandate deemed constitutional.

I will blog later with more details.
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Well, that was an interesting morning and for many a bit of a surprise. The Supreme Court ruled that the individual mandate to purchase health insurance coverage is considered a "tax" and not a "penalty" and, as such, falls under Congressional authority and is constitutionally legal.

Undoubtedly there will be many announcements, blogs and video responses from the various parties with regard to this decision.

Below is a link to the PDF of the court's decision (all 67 pages):

SCOTUS Decision

Dave
www.an-insurance.com

Women's Preventive Care Enhancements August 2012

As directed by the ACA (Affordable Care Act), preventive care services for women will be enhanced for all non-grandfathered health plans in California (and all other states as well).

In addition to current preventive benefits, the following preventive benefits for women will be added to existing and new non-grandfathered health insurance plans including self-funded group health plans:

* Well-Woman visits
* Screening for gestational diabetes
* Testing for HPV (human papillomavirus)
* Counseling for sexually transmitted infections
* Screening and counseling for HIV
* FDA-approved contraceptive counseling and contraception methods
* Breastfeeding support, supplies and counseling
* Screening and counseling for interpersonal and domestic violence

For those purchasing coverage on or after August 1st, the health plan will include the expanded preventive benefits.

For those on existing health plans prior to August 1st, the benefits will be added at the policy renewal of your policy. Most likely not later in any case than January 2013. Each carrier will determine at what point it will add the benefit, this (above) is how Anthem Blue Cross intends to do it.

For those on grandfathered health plans (plans purchased prior to March 23, 2010), grandfathered plans will not receive and additional preventive benefits for women.

Dave
www.an-insurance.com