What are the “grandfather” rules under PPACA for individuals who had plans on March 23, 2010?
A. Subscribers who had coverage before March 23, 2010 will be able to retain their plans and be exempt (hence “grandfathered”) from many of the requrements of PPACA. All health plans subject to the new law–whether or not they are grandfathered plans–must provide certain benefits to their customers for plan years (i.e. plan anniversary dates) starting on or after September 23, 2010 including (1) no lifetime limit on coverage; (2) no recisssions on coverage when people who get sick made an unintentional mistake on their applications; and (3) extension of parents’ coverage to young adults under 26 years old. Click here for the news release and information about regulations issued by the Department of Health and Human Services on “grandfathered” health plans. The regulations are very complicated and each carrier is acting differently in response. If you had a plan in effect before March 23 and are considering making changes in response to any renewal letter or if you are changing carrier
