Patient’s Bill of Rights
The Affordable Care Act helps people in the United States be in charge of their health and make informed choices about health insurance. Under the law, the Patient’s Bill of Rights:
Provides coverage for pre-existing conditions.
Under the Affordable Care Act, no insurance plan can reject you, charge you more or refuse to pay for the care you need. An exception to this rule exists with individual health insurance policies purchased on or before March 23, 2010, which were grandfathered in, and don't include some of the rights and protections provided under the Affordable Care Act.
Protects your choice of doctors and emergency room access.
Choose a primary care doctor from your plan’s network. You can also seek emergency care at a hospital outside of your health plan’s network.
Keeps young adults covered.
If you’re under age 26, you may be eligible to be covered under your parent’s health plan.
Ends lifetime limits on coverage.
Lifetime limits on most benefits are banned for all new health insurance plans.
Ends pre-existing condition exclusions for children.
Health plans can no longer limit or deny benefits to children under age 19 due to a pre-existing condition. Options such as the Children's Health Insurance Program (Chip) can provide low-cost health coverage to children.
Ends arbitrary withdrawals of insurance coverage.
Insurers can no longer cancel your coverage just because you made an honest mistake.
Reviews premium increases.
Insurance companies must now publicly justify any unreasonable rate hikes.
Helps you get the most from your premium dollars.
Your premium dollars must be spent primarily on health care, not administrative costs.
Restricts annual dollar limits on coverage.
Annual limits on your health coverage have been phased out.
Covers preventive care in network at no cost to you.
You may be eligible for recommended preventive health services. There’s no copayment even if you haven’t met your yearly deductible.
Guarantees your right to appeal.
You have the right to ask that your plan reconsider its denial of payment.
