Question

according to the centers of medicare services (cms) , the affordable care act was designed to give U.S citzens improved flexibility snd control , allowing them to make more informed decisions about their own health plans and health care providers. now that the ACA has been in place for several years , do you feel that in fact happened ? discuss the strenghts and weaknesses of the ACA today.

Answer 1

The strengths and weakness of Affordable Care Act (ACA) are as follows:

Strengths:

1. Subsidies offer financial help
Subsidies make purchasing health insurance less expensive for those who qualify. Also, the implementation of the 80/20 rule means 80% of your premium dollars is spent on healthcare instead of administrative costs.

2. Free preventive care
All qualified health insurance plans must provide 10 essential health benefits. These benefits include free preventive care and wellness visits with no copay, deductible, or coinsurance.

3. No surprise cancellations or pre-existing denials
Insurance companies can’t cancel your policy because of a mistake on an application. Insurance companies also cannot deny coverage for a pre-existing condition (unless your plan is grandfathered).

4. Medicaid is more inclusive for many
For states that have chosen to expand their program, Medicaid coverage now includes uninsured Americans under 138% of the federal poverty level.

5. Dependents can stay under parents’ plan longer
Your children can be insured under your health plan until they are 26 years old.

6. No more unreasonable limits
Limits on lifetime benefits have been completely banned and annual limits phased out. (This does not include grandfathered plans).

Weaknesses:

1. The cost has not decreased for everyone
Those who do not qualify for subsidies may find marketplace health insurance plans unaffordable. Customers may end up paying more for a plan that includes benefits, such as maternity care, that they may not need.

2. Loss of company-sponsored health plans
Some businesses may find it more cost-effective to pay the penalty and let their employees purchase their own individual insurance on the exchanges rather than provide employer-sponsored coverage.

3. Tax penalties
Prior to 2019, you could face large tax penalties if you were uninsured. The national penalty no longer exists, but some states are now enacting health insurance mandates of their own.

4. Shrinking networks
Many insurance companies made their provider networks smaller to cut costs while implementing ACA requirements. This left customers with fewer providers that are “in network.”

5. Shopping for coverage can be complicated
Shopping for coverage can be more complicated with limited enrollment periods, difficulties with the websites, and more coverage options.

6. Marketplace uncertainty can raise costs
While the marketplace appears to be stabilizing, many counties still have only one insurance option because of insurance cancellations, decreasing competition, and increasing costs.