Preventive Measures to Come to New Plans

As part of the new health care regulations, preventive care is now to be included in new health plans for no additional member costs. This applies solely to new plans. Current grandfathered plans are not required to institute the preventive measures outlined in the new bill.

Some of the preventive measures will take effect now, while others will take effect next year. Among the measures that will go into effect with the new plans include mammograms, immunizations, colonoscopies and other preventive services.

According to a spokesperson for America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), these rules do a good job of expanding preventive care coverage, while keeping care affordable. The new measures follow the intention of the law and don’t seek to go beyond that; a positive for keeping coverage affordable.

As it currently stands, many people don’t see physicians on a regular basis. Identifying health risks early can prevent illnesses from becoming more serious. Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services quoted figures citing that one out of eight children has not seen a doctor in the last year, while one in five women over age 50 has not received a mammogram in the last five years.

Preventive coverage goes a long way in bringing down health care costs in the long run. Chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes can often be prevented through regular preventive checkups. They also account for 75 percent of nation’s health spending. By identifying these diseases early, there is hope that health care spending will come down, and along with the premiums.