From Covering Kids & Families of Indiana
"The Commonwealth Fund released an explainer in February, What Consumers Need to Know About Health Coverage That Doesn’t Comply with the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Unregulated health coverage products are expected to become more prevalent as ACA plans become more expensive and consumers face more barriers to coverage. These products include short-term plans, healthcare sharing ministries, fixed indemnity insurance, and medically underwritten coverage offered by Farm Bureau. While these products may have relatively low upfront costs that make them appealing, they offer limited financial protection creating significant risks that may not be clear to people when they sign up.
In contrast, ACA compliant health insurance must abide by regulations designed to protect consumers. ACA-compliant plans:
- Cannot deny coverage or charge a higher premium to people with a preexisting health condition.
- Must cover 10 categories of essential health benefits.
- Must cover certain high-value preventive services without cost sharing.
- Cannot impose annual or lifetime limits on these essential benefits.
Consumers should be careful when shopping for insurance. Non- ACA plans may be marketed in ways that can be confusing."
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