Rep. Hayes introduces bill to protect patients from ‘junk’ health plans – InsuranceNewsNet

WASHINGTON, April 15 — Rep. Jahana HayesD-Connecticutissued the following press release:

Congressman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) and Congressman Jan Schakowski (IL-09) introduced the Protecting Patients Against Deceptive Health Plans Act to close a loophole that makes patients susceptible to being misled into purchasing insurance that does not have to comply with the provisions of consumer protection of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This bill will protect American consumers and families.

“Junk plans are failing Americans when they need health care the most. It is unconscionable that insurance brokers are allowed to prey on the vulnerable and force them to pay out of pocket for care like prescription drugs and maternal health. As our nation moves toward pandemic recovery, comprehensive and affordable health care is more essential than ever,” said Congressman Hayes. “When families are burdened with unexpected medical bills, they can’t put food on the table or make ends meet. We must end junk plans and protect the American people from misleading policies.”

“Junk health plans continue to plague our market. When we passed the Affordable Care Act, we put in place fundamental protections for Americans against discrimination and higher costs. Junk health plans continue to discriminate on the basis of things like age, gender or a pre-existing condition. These plans take money from consumers but do not provide adequate coverage when they need it most. I am proud to join my colleague, the deputy Jahana Hayesto introduce legislation that closes loopholes that put American consumers at risk of unexpected medical bills and inadequate coverage,” said Congressman Schakowsky.

Certain forms of insurance coverage, known as “excluded benefits,” are exempt from many federal law requirements, including protections for pre-existing conditions under the ACA. These plans, also known as “junk plans,” are not required to provide comprehensive coverage, such as mental health and addictions coverage, prescription drugs, preventative services, and home care. maternity and newborn. Excluded benefit plans such as indemnity plans may discriminate against individuals based on pre-existing conditions or medical conditions, may impose annual or lifetime limits, and do not require cap consumers’ annual out-of-pocket spending.

The Protecting Patients Against Deceptive Health Plans Act ensures that insurance companies can no longer discriminate against people with pre-existing conditions by requiring policies treated as excepted benefits to be paid regardless of the condition, injury, diagnosis or other treatment-related characteristics. In addition, the legislation would also require that these limited plans be sold only to consumers already enrolled in comprehensive care who meet minimum essential coverage requirements.

The Protecting Patients from Deceptive Health Plans Act is approved by the American Lung Association and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

“The American Lung Association is happy to support Congresswoman Hayes Protecting Patients from Deceptive Health Plans Act,” said Harold WimmerNational President and CEO of American Lung Association. “This bill will protect American families by limiting the sale of non-comprehensive health plans and prohibiting discrimination based on pre-existing conditions for supplemental health insurance products.”

“On behalf of the more than 1.5 million Americans living with a diagnosis of blood cancer, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) is proud to support the Protecting Patients from Deceptive Health Plans Act. This is common sense and reasonable legislation that will help protect the patients we serve,” said Brian Connellexecutive director of federal affairs Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. “The Protecting Patients from Deceptive Health Plans Act would close the loopholes and help ensure that patients are protected from substandard insurance products.”