What counts as 'insurance' under the new law?

[leftstreet]

Recently doctors, clinics, hospitals, healthcare professionals have been responding to the healthcare crisis by offering their own nonprofit 'wellness' and medical coverage plans to uninsured patients.

Will that count as 'insurance' under the new law? Or will you have to prove you're contributing to some Insurance/Big Pharma CEO's retirement fund to avoid a penalty.

[sinkingfeeling]

1. I don't exactly know what you're talking about. The 'wellness' plan I have

is sponsored by my insurance company. It pays for weight control programs, screenings for bone hardness, and biometric screenings of blood pressure, blood sugar, BMI, etc.

[leftstreet]

2. All of that, but available directly from Drs, clinics, hosps. etc

Not through insurers

Many healthcare organizations have been offering 'pooled' coverage like that without using an insurance company as a middle person.

Will that count under the new law?

[sinkingfeeling]

3. Doubt it. Insurance is to cover your medical needs. None of those things

would help in the case of heart attack or cancer.

[leftstreet]

4. Blood pressure screening (etc) is part of your medical needs

Maybe we're not talking about the same thing

[sinkingfeeling]

10. I would say that is preventive.

[cbayer]

5. As I understand it, the ACA requires that you have a plan that provides at least

catastrophic coverage (high deductible) and preventative care.

While the plans you describe probably do the second, I doubt very much that they do the first.

[leftstreet]

7. Thank you

Maybe catastrophic coverage will be cheap enough people can keep any nonprofit wellness check plans they have through their Drs and clinics, etc

Thanks

[HopeHoops]

8. RE: catastrophic coverage - the ACA eliminates the problem of using it.

In the past, if you dropped comprehensive in favor of catastrophic, you were subject to rejection should you subsequently apply to return to comprehensive coverage. I went through the process. It's a royal pain in the ass and a not of nail biting.

[cbayer]

9. I think that's going to be a good alternative.

Some physicians have established "boutique" practices to avoid dealing with insurance at all. They offer basic care, including some tests and labs, for a set fee.

If you have that and a catastrophic policy with no lifetime max (another ACA requirement), you should be covered for just about everything you might need

[SickOfTheOnePct]

11. My understanding is that catastrophic coverage is banned except for those under 30

***edited: banned except for those under 30 and those with proven financial hardship.

[leftstreet]

6. Anyone? Does no one know?

Odd. There have been so many ardent supporters of the ACA here. Surely someone has the answers.