A
AALARD
Guest
Patients will not have to pay co-pays
CHICAGO, -- Many with private health insurance won't have to pay the co-payment for some screenings or preventive care by next year, an Illinois insurance official says.
In an effort to lower overall healthcare costs by lowering barriers to catching illness early, the Affordable Care Act signed into law earlier this year requires private insurance companies to no longer charge a co-payment, usually about $20, or pay a deductible to receive preventive health services, such as recommended screenings, vaccinations and counseling.
"Patients in Illinois should not be deterred from seeking preventive care," Michael McRaith, director of the Illinois Department of Insurance, told the Chicago Tribune.
"Given the absence of any relevant state insurance law standards, this reform will impose meaningful affordability and uniformity on the delivery of essential healthcare."
Depending on age, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says patients will not have to pay out-of-pocket for preventive services including:
-- Blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol tests;
-- Many cancer screenings, including mammograms and colonoscopies.
-- Counseling on quitting smoking, losing weight, eating healthfully, treating depression and reducing alcohol use.
-- Routine vaccinations against diseases such as measles, polio, or meningitis.
-- Flu and pneumonia shots.
-- Counseling, screening and vaccines to ensure healthy pregnancies.
-- Regular well-baby and well-child visits, from birth to age 21.
CHICAGO, -- Many with private health insurance won't have to pay the co-payment for some screenings or preventive care by next year, an Illinois insurance official says.
In an effort to lower overall healthcare costs by lowering barriers to catching illness early, the Affordable Care Act signed into law earlier this year requires private insurance companies to no longer charge a co-payment, usually about $20, or pay a deductible to receive preventive health services, such as recommended screenings, vaccinations and counseling.
"Patients in Illinois should not be deterred from seeking preventive care," Michael McRaith, director of the Illinois Department of Insurance, told the Chicago Tribune.
"Given the absence of any relevant state insurance law standards, this reform will impose meaningful affordability and uniformity on the delivery of essential healthcare."
Depending on age, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says patients will not have to pay out-of-pocket for preventive services including:
-- Blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol tests;
-- Many cancer screenings, including mammograms and colonoscopies.
-- Counseling on quitting smoking, losing weight, eating healthfully, treating depression and reducing alcohol use.
-- Routine vaccinations against diseases such as measles, polio, or meningitis.
-- Flu and pneumonia shots.
-- Counseling, screening and vaccines to ensure healthy pregnancies.
-- Regular well-baby and well-child visits, from birth to age 21.