Hoyer: All 3,584,000 Marylanders to Directly Benefit from Patient's Bill of Rights

18,000 Young Adults, 741,000 Seniors Among Those to Benefit from

Reforms That Go Into Effect Tomorrow

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) announced that starting on Thursday, September 23rd, key patient rights and protections included in the health insurance reform law will begin to take effect. The new "Patient's Bill of Rights" is designed to put Maryland families and their doctors – not the health insurance companies – back in charge of their health care.

"Beginning this week, Fifth District families will see additional benefits of the health insurance reform law go into effect that will put them in control of their health care," stated Congressman Hoyer. "The Patients' Bill of Rights bans some of the worst insurance company abuses, while providing the stability and flexibility that families need to make the choices that work best for them. The reforms that take effect this week aim to not only improve health coverage for the people of the Fifth District, but they will give them the security and peace of mind that they can get and keep affordable health care regardless of pre-existing conditions, without going broke, and without being denied help when they get sick."

The benefits that go into effect this week include the following:

• Prohibits insurance plans from rescinding coverage when a person gets sick
• Prohibits insurance plans both from denying coverage and limiting benefits for children based on pre-existing conditions
• Outlaws lifetime limits
• Tightly restricts the use of annual limits until they are completely banned starting in 2014
• Requires insurance plans offering family coverage to allow young people up to their 26th birthday to remain on their parents' insurance plan at the parents' discretion
• Guarantees that patients have their choice of primary care doctor within their plan's network of doctors
• Prohibits insurance plans from charging higher cost-sharing for emergency services that are obtained out of a plan's network
• Prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage for needed care without a chance to appeal to an independent third party

To learn more about the immediate benefits to Maryland families, click here.

These provisions take effect for the next plan year starting on or after tomorrow, which means that they'll be in effect during this open enrollment season in the employer's plan or the next time a person re-enrolls in or purchases a policy from an insurer.  Many of these reforms will be expanded over time.

In addition, the new HealthCare.gov is an easy to use website that helps consumers take control of their health care and make the choices that are right for them by putting the power of information at their fingertips. In addition to more information about the Affordable Care Act, the website is the first of its kind to bring information and links on all of the health insurance coverage options out there, into one place, making it easier for consumers to learn about and compare their insurance options.

"Information is power, and this new website puts control over health care back into the hands of Maryland families and small businesses," said Congressman Hoyer. "I urge all Marylanders to use this resource so you can make the most informed decisions about the health care coverage that works best for you."

To learn more about these provisions and other ways that health reform will help Maryland, please visit www.healthcare.gov.

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