DELAURO, ROCKEFELLER PROVISION HELPS CONSUMERS BETTER UNDERSTAND HEALTH CARE OPTIONS

Rule Released as Part of Health Care Reform Law Provides Consumers with Key Information about their Health Benefits and Coverage

Washington, DC— Details of a new piece of the health care reform law were released today, which are based on a bill introduced Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT) and by Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV). The provision will make sure that consumers can easily understand their health coverage and determine the best health insurance options for themselves and their families.

In 2009, DeLauro and Rockefeller introduced the Informed Consumer Choices in Health Care Act in their respective chambers. The legislation brings much-needed simplicity and key facts on health coverage to consumers through the creation of a “Coverage Facts” label for health care plans – similar to the “nutrition label” on packaged foods.

“This new rule is a critical part of the Affordable Care Act’s goal of transforming our health care system and putting Americans back in charge of their health care, instead of insurance companies. By providing plain, common-sense explanations of health care coverage, this rule will help to ensure that consumers can easily understand insurance policies and determine the best choice for their families,” said DeLauro. “This rule is a great example of the transparency and access to information we fought for during the debate over health care reform, and represents another step forward for the Affordable Care Act in improving our health care system.”

“For too many Americans, choosing a health insurance plan is an incredibly confusing process making it difficult to understand technical language, fine print, and the differences between plans,” said Rockefeller. “It’s time that we put consumers first, and this provision does that by making sure that people can find a plan that is affordable and works best for themselves and their families. People can now make informed decisions about their health coverage.”

The rule announced by the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury will make sure that health insurers and group health plans provide consumers with information that is understandable and consistent so that people can more easily compare details about health plan benefits and coverage. It will enable consumers to more easily understand the health coverage they already have and, when purchasing new coverage, make apples-to-apples comparisons of available options.