What are my rights and protections under the law?

The main objective of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was to provide quality, affordable health insurance coverage to all Americans. The law calls for coverage to be more fair to the consumer and easier for you to understand.

Key provisions beginning in 2014

The key provisions begin to take place in 2014. Some parts apply to individual and small business plans and some apply to all types of health insurance coverage.

Here are some examples:

1) Exchanges (sometimes called marketplaces) will be created to make securing coverage simple and easy.

2) You cannot be turned away or charged more premium because of pre-existing conditions.

3) You should be informed about your coverage options in an easy-to-understand way.

4) Health insurance companies have to justify premium increases.

5) It is illegal for a health insurance company to cancel your health insurance because you get sick.

6) Protects your right for choosing your doctor.

7) Children up to age 26 can be covered on his/her parent's health insurance regardless of marital or student status.

8) Access to free preventive care.

9) No lifetime benefit maximums or annual limits on essential health benefits, so you can't run out of insurance for those services

10) You have a right to appeal insurance decisions.