Many provisions of the Affordable Care Act began immediately with the remaining provisions to take effect over a four-year period. Unless you have a crystal ball no one knows for sure what type of impact the health reform will have on the health care system. According to healthcare.gov, in reference to health care providers, health reform is designed to make our health care system stronger and make it better for you and your patients.
Here's how:- More than 32 million uninsured patients will have more access to affordable health coverage options lowering the burden of uncompensated care for physicians, hospitals and others in the health care system.
- The implementation of the electronic health record (EHR) will simplify paperwork allowing you to focus more on patient care.
- New consumer protections such as no set annual or lifetime limits, no pre-existing limitations and the right to choose their primary care physician.
- Lower cost sharing to Medicare patients making providers worry less about their patients being able to afford necessary treatments.
- Expanded access to preventative services which will strengthen provider efforts to help patients lose weight or quit smoking.
- Incentives for health care providers who provide high-quality services.
- Investment in workforce development by supporting the training and development of health care professionals.
Source: Healthcare.gov. Accessed: October 3, 2010. http://www.healthcare.gov/
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