Advocacy Update: Affordable Care Act Issues Physicians Need to Know
The bulk of the Affordable Care Act's coverage provisions went into effect on January 1, 2014, including tax credits for Marketplace-based coverage, Medicaid expansion, and insurance industry reforms such as prohibitions on pre-existing condition coverage limits. For physicians and patients, the expansion of coverage presents an opportunity to improve patient's access to care and nurture the doctor-patient relationship. The ACA may also create new challenges, as some insurance plans offer limited provider networks that may disrupt continuity of care, create tight prescription drug formularies, and require high cost-sharing responsibilities that may place a financial burden on patients. This document will provide practical advice to physicians and their patients who face such issues and what they can do to ensure access to patient-centered care in the reformed health system. ACP has created resources for physicians and their patients to help them learn about the ACA's coverage provisions, how to sign up for coverage and where to get enrollment help.
View the Affordable Care Act Issues Physicians Need to Know