28 May 2010 - How the healthcare reform will affect American health insurance system |
To get it over with the 47 million Americans who do not have access to health insurance, the U.S. government launched in March its reform to improve the healthcare coverage. By 2014 it will become compulsory for Americans to subscribe insurance with private insurers or non-profit insurance cooperatives selected by the government.
This article aims at providing you with information about the new health care system in the US. However, keep in mind that application of this law may be amended due to the action of lobbies and states.
• Premiums: the sums you are charged for premiums cannot be increased unless the insurer justifies it. In addition, 85% of the money insurers receive from their clients or the State is to be used to pay medical expenses.
• Your state of health at the time you apply for an insurance contract will have no impact on the level of coverage you will get from insurers.
• American families will receive government subsidies to pay the premiums and out-of-pocket expenses according to household income (below $ 43,000 or $ 58,000 for couples).
• If you are an American expatriate, this reform does not affect you as long as you live in another country. This dispensation was granted by the American government as you certainly are already protected by health insurance in your country of residence, whose guarantees are often better than those offered by U.S. insurers.
If you are going to travel to the United States, do not forget to purchase health insurance for your trip, as this reform will not grant you with a better coverage than it already does. You can get a free quote for specific travel insurance
You will be well covered in case of unforeseen medical expenses, which is particularly important in the USA where medical expenses are responsible for most cases of personal bankruptcy.
You can read more information on the official website for the health insurance reform in the USA