The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, passed in March 2010, will significantly change the way that health insurance works in the United States, but a recent survey conducted by Harris Polls showed that most Americans don’t know how the law will affect them. HealthCare.gov is a website designed to help consumers learn more about their options and rights under the new law. The website provides comprehensive information for consumers and health care providers, such as a timeline outlining when various provisions of the law will take effect, guides for prevention and screening, and a glossary of health care and insurance terms.
The site allows consumers to find out more about how the changes will affect them specifically, with sections for families with children, individuals, people with disabilities, seniors, young adults, and employers. Consumers can use an interactive insurance-finding tool to help them learn which insurance options are best for them, find affordable care, and get premium quotes from insurers. The site also connects consumers with quality ratings and comparisons for hospitals, nursing homes, home health care, and dialysis facilities.
HealthCare.gov already offers a wide range of information about health care coverage and will continue to grow as new information becomes available. Consumers are encouraged to give feedback to help improve the site and ensure that their health care questions are answered.
<submitted by Lisa Federer>
