How Does Health-Care Reform Affect Women?

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) expands women's access to health insurance and adds several reforms to the existing health-care system that are specifically beneficial to women.

Access to care and affordability are important issues for women. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, because almost twice as many women than men who receive employer-provided health insurance are covered as dependents, they are susceptible to losing that coverage should they become widowed, divorced, or if their husbands lose their jobs.

In addition, the cost of coverage may significantly impact women. Women earn less than men, on average, and are more likely to be out of the workforce to care for children, parents, or other dependents. Because of this trend, out-of-pocket costs such as co-pays, deductibles, and premiums can pose a particular threat to women's access to affordable care.

The ACA provides for the creation of state-level health insurance exchanges, available to small businesses and uninsured individuals that will serve as a marketplace of private and public health plans. Individuals and families purchasing insurance through insurance exchanges may be eligible for subsidies or tax credits (based on income) that can be applied towards the cost of insurance.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 20% of women between the ages of 18 and 64, or about 19 million women, are uninsured. Of those, it is estimated that 36% will be eligible for tax credits and subsidies. ACA specifies essential health benefits for women that must be offered by non-grandfathered plans. These benefits include maternity and newborn care, including prenatal visits and pediatric services. Several preventive services must be offered without co-payments or deductibles, including mammography exams; Pap tests; colonoscopies; type 2 diabetes screening; obesity screening; several immunizations including hepatitis, influenza, and HPV; and alcohol and tobacco counseling. Specific coverage benefits will continue to be shaped by U.S. Health and Human Services regulations.

What Health-Care Provisions Are Effective 2013?

With the Supreme Court's favorable ruling on the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), more of the law's provisions will become effective in 2013. Here are some of the new features that may be important to you.

 

Medicare Part D participants who reach a gap in their drug coverage (the "donut hole") are required to pay the entire cost of prescription drugs out-of-pocket. In 2013, the ACA will continue to close this gap by increasing subsidies to reduce the cost of brand-name and generic drugs to participants who reach the donut hole. These subsidies will continue until 2020, when the participant's maximum contribution toward the cost of prescriptions will be reduced to 25%.

 

The threshold for the itemized deduction for medical expenses increases from 7.5% to 10% of adjusted gross income, beginning in 2013. However, this increase is waived for taxpayers age 65 and older through 2016.

 

In 2013, the annual pretax employee contribution to a Section 125 cafeteria plan flexible spending account (FSA) is reduced to $2,500, subject to annual increases for cost-of-living adjustments. The reduction does not apply to certain employer non-elective contributions (e.g., flex credits).

 

Beginning in 2013, the hospital insurance (HI) portion of the payroll tax, commonly referred to as the Medicare portion, increases by 0.9% for individuals with wages exceeding $200,000 ($250,000 for married couples filing a joint federal income tax return, and $125,000 for married individuals filing separately).

 

In addition, 2013 marks the imposition of a new 3.8% Medicare contribution tax on the unearned income of high-income individuals. This 3.8% contribution tax generally applies to the net investment income of individuals with modified adjusted gross income that exceeds $200,000 ($250,000 for married couples filing a joint federal income tax return, and $125,000 for married individuals filing separately).

 

Looking ahead, 2014 brings the implementation of the health insurance exchanges, premium and cost-sharing subsidies, and the requirement that most individuals have health insurance.

Food For Thought . . . Simple Steps to Increase Your Life Expectancy

·         The leading cause of death and the number one cause of shortening life expectancy in the U.S. is heart disease. As your heart ages, there can be a build- up of gunk in your arteries and your arteries themselves can become harder (see heart aging for more information). This causes your blood pressure to rise and your heart to work harder, leaving you at risk for heart disease. Vegetarians (whole foods vegetarians) have some of the best arteries around because eating healthy vegetables avoids bad fats and other unhealthy foods.

·         People who eat lots of vegetables take in lots of antioxidants. Antioxidants help your body repair some of the damage caused by aging. The more plants you eat (and the greater variety) the more raw materials your bod has to make repairs. Read more on antioxidants and their evil counterpart, free radicals.

·         Finally, vegetables simply fill you up with very few calories (if prepared without creams, butter or cheese). A healthy vegetarian diet should help maintain or lose weight. A healthy weight is tied to a longer life expectancy.

So be more like a vegetarian to increase your life expectancy and live healthier.    

Source: http://longevity.about.com/od/liveto100/ss/life-expectancy_6.htm