Question

What minimum benefits must a person have while owning a “basic health program” under the ACA?

Answer 1

ACA stands for Affordable Care Act, a law consisting of two pieces of legislation that are collectively referred to as "Healthcare Reform" or "Obamacare".

1. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), enacted on March 23, 2010

2. The Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act (HCERA), enacted on March 30, 2010

The main objective of the ACA is to expand health insurance coverage to an estimated 32 million uninsured Americans and strengthen existing coverage

Functions of ACA:

- increase benefits and lower costs for consumers
- provide new funding for public health and prevention
- bolster health care and public health workforce and infrastructure
- foster innovation and quality in our system

This final rule establishes the Basic Health Program (BHP), as required by section 1331 of the Affordable Care Act. The BHP provides states the flexibility to establish a health benefits coverage program for low-income individuals who would otherwise be eligible to purchase coverage through the Affordable Insurance Exchange (Exchange, also called Health Insurance Marketplace). The BHP complements and coordinates with enrollment in a QHP through the Exchange, as well as with enrollment in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). This final rule also sets forth a framework for BHP eligibility and enrollment, benefits, delivery of health care services, transfer of funds to participating states, and federal oversight. Additionally, this final rule amends another rule issued by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (Secretary) in order to clarify the applicability of that rule to the BHP.