Question: I just read your blog post about the new free preventive care ruling. Who does it apply to?. For instance, I am insured on a group plan through my employer, will I get the free benefits in September?
Answer: No. Only people in new insurance plans beginning after Sept. 23rd or in existing plans that change substantially will be able to get the discounted preventive services. The health care law exempts so-called grandfathered plans offered by employers that have not substantially changed since the legislation was signed in March. To maintain grandfathered status, employers cannot substantially raise co-pays, deductibles and other employee contributions or lower their contribution to their employees' premiums by more than 5 percentage points.
