ObamaCare and Your Stone: Good News, Bad News!

Abstract

The Affordable Heath Care Act (ACA), commonly known as ObamaCare, is the new national health care law that was signed into law on March, 2010. Since becoming the law, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) has altered insurance industry practices, expanded certain Medicare benefits, and initiated new payment and service delivery models. This law went into full effect on January 1, 2014. As of October 1, 2013 consumers looking for health insurance were able to turn to state-based health care exchanges. The exchanges are the centerpiece of the Affordable Care Act intended to help the uninsured and small businesses find affordable coverage. Many people who have had to put off seeking medical care because they could not afford it may finally get the care they need. Additionally, doctors may get paid for services that they have provided for free to uninsured patients. On the other hand, ObamaCare has resulted in the increase in Insurance premiums, an increase hiring of part-time workers and incentivizing businesses to scale back benefits. While it is debatable whether this law is positive or negative, Obama Care is the future of healthcare and it is here to stay. The healthcare law is over 2,500 pages and the complete details of this law are beyond the scope of this chapter. This chapter, will however, tell you the pluses and minuses of this law and how this affects you and your kidney stone.