SACRAMENTO -- Californians now have a clearer picture of what health insurance will look like when major provisions of the federal health care law debut in 2014. <\/p>\n
Acupuncture to treat pain and nausea will be covered, for example, as will tobacco cessation and vision screening. <\/p>\n
But the jury's still out on chiropractic care. <\/p>\n
State lawmakers this week sent two bills to Gov. Jerry Brown that identify the services health insurance plans must cover starting in 2014 for individuals and small businesses. <\/p>\n
The measures -- Senate Bill 951 by Sen. Ed Hernandez, and Assembly Bill 1453 by Assemblyman Bill Monning, D-Carmel -- define what are called \"essential health benefits\" under the federal health care overhaul and will fundamentally transform the kind of insurance Californians will buy. <\/p>\n
\"It's historic,\" Monning said. <\/p>\n
The bills, he said, will affect \"the millions of Californians who have had limited coverage or no coverage who now will have access to coverage, and it will be comprehensive in nature. It will include preventive services, immunizations, hospitalization. The list goes on and on.\" <\/p>\n
The benefits will apply to insurance plans sold through the state's new health insurance exchange, which will offer federally subsidized plans for individuals and families making between 138 and 400 percent of the federal poverty level. <\/p>\n
Unsubsidized plans sold outside of the exchange also must meet these requirements. <\/p>\n
Insurance offered by large employers -- <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
More here:<\/p>\n
Federal health law clearer for California<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" SACRAMENTO -- Californians now have a clearer picture of what health insurance will look like when major provisions of the federal health care law debut in 2014. Acupuncture to treat pain and nausea will be covered, for example, as will tobacco cessation and vision screening. But the jury's still out on chiropractic care Continue reading