New health care changes pending
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act health care law was passed in March 2010, and for the next two years changes will continue.
Anthony Matrisciano, senior public relations specialist for BlueCross of Northeastern Pennsylvania, said the individual mandate will take place Jan. 1, 2014, if it is deemed constitutional.
During a meeting with the Sun-Gazette Monday afternoon Matrisciano said he expects a decision by June or July as to whether the law, which requires individuals to maintain minimum essential coverage each month, is legal. "The law is the law," he said. "We're planning ahead as if it will be implemented."
The idea behind the individual mandate is by having healthy people in the health care system, it could help lower the risk and cost of health care for everyone. Matrisciano said, half of all Americans currently do not use health care, according to a government agency.
As of the first day in 2014, health care would be available for everyone, even people with diseases and currently not covered.
"The federal health care law says it can't deny anyone for coverage," he said. "(BlueCross of Northeastern Pennsylvania) already (does) that with some of our products. In 2014, that will be kind of a level playing field."
Another big date for state health care is Jan. 1, 2013.
On that date, the federal government will assess if the state is ready to take charge of the health care for the following year.
"It won't be the federal government that is running (the health care)," Matrisciano said. "We felt our state insurance department is more prepared and knows the market better than the federal government."
The new system will be more web-based and will be similar to the Travelocity travel website, he said.
For individuals and small businesses with health care, they can put their zip code into the website to receive a list of insurers.
The website will ask for more information to target the individual's needs, such as whether the person is eligible for Medicaid or if the person's children qualify for the Children's Health Insurance Program.
Williamsport Health Insurance Agents - News
By ALYSSA MURPHY (amurphy@sungazette.com) , The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act health care law was passed in March 2010, and for the next two years changes will continue. Anthony Matrisciano, senior public relations
By MARK MARONEY mmaroney@sungazette.com , City Council is going to look Thursday at a grant application for $340000 to help pay for the remaining reconstruction of Reach Road and improve driveability and access into the
By MARK MARONEY (mmaroney@sungazette) , That, and a potential surplus for a city in need of it, were reasons City Council unanimously approved an ordinance Thursday night to join the Pennsylvania Municipal Health Insurance
With health care costs escalating by about $550000 over 2011, Mayor Gabriel J. Campana and Michelle Casale, the city human resources director, researched the benefits of Williamsport enrolling in the Pennsylvania Municipal Health Insurance Cooperative.
A graduate of Schuylkill Haven Area School, she is studying medical assisting at McCann School of Business & Technology. She is sponsored by Higgins Insurance. Cecely Dallago, 20, of Pottsville, is a daughter of Michelle and Richard Dallago.
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