Health Insurance Reform Update

Starting September 23, 2010 health insurance companies must remove lifetime limits and annual dollar limits on essential health benefits. The health care reform law allows a phased in implementation. The Dept of Health and Human Services will give a final definition of essential health benefits but the list is expected to include the following services:

• Alcoholism treatment services
• Asthma education
• Bariatric surgery
• Chiropractic
• Diabetic supplies
• Durable medical equipment
• Hearing aids
• Home health care
• Hospice
• Infusion therapy
• Kidney disease treatment
• Mental health/substance abuse
• Outpatient occupational, physical, and speech therapy
• Prescriptions
• Preventive care
• Prosthetic devices/limbs
• Skilled nursing services
• Transplants
• Treatment for TMJ

Although most of these benefits are already available on California health plans, benefits vary from state to state depending on state laws.