This timeline describes the major milestones of the Affordable Care Act and what you need to know as the law is fully implemented in October, 2013. Have questions? We are here for you by phone, online and in person. Go to floridablue.com for more.

1. Comparing health plan
coverage and costs
All insurance companies must show the benefits and
costs of their health plans in the same format. This
format is called a Summary of Benefits and Coverage.
This will make it easier to compare health care plans.
Everyone can get a health plan
Starting October 1, you can’t be turned down or
charged more for insurance even if you are already
sick or have a health condition.
Rebates from insurance companies
Insurance companies must give back a part of the
money they collect from premiums
if they don't spend a certain
amount of it on medical care.
Get help
understanding
health plans
This fall Navigators and
Certified Agents will be in
your community to help
you understand
Marketplace plans
available and what
they will cost. They can
also help you apply
and enroll in a plan.
The fee in 2014: pay 1% of your yearly
taxable income or $95 per person —
whichever is higher. This will increase
every year.
Must have health plan or pay a fee
If someone who can afford health insurance doesn't
have coverage in 2014, they may have to pay a fee.
They also have to pay for all of their health care.
Health Care
Reform and You
Get preventive care at NO COST
The new plans will cover a lot of preventive care
services including:
This fall people under 30 and some
people with limited incomes may
buy what is called a "catastrophic"
health plan. It protects you from
very high medical costs.
Lots of changes are happening in health care. We’re here to help you understand what is new and what
you may need to do.
The health care reform law, called the Affordable Care Act, was passed by our government in 2010. The
law makes health insurance available to more people, so more people will be able to get the care they
need. That’s good news! Here are some key things to know.
'Metal' health
plans offered this fall
There will be four
categories of health plans:
Platinum, Gold, Silver and
Bronze. These metal levels
can help you compare
plans, the monthly
premiums, and costs for
services for things like
doctors or hospital
visits. Coverage is effective
1/1/2014.
Grandfathered health plans
People enrolled in a health plan that took effect before
March 23, 2010, may be able to keep their plan.
Know your budget. This fall, there will be
a lot of health plans to choose from, so
you should think about your budget and
your needs. Think about the monthly
The Marketplace opens: New health
plans available Oct. 1
With an effective date of 1/1/2014, you can buy one
of the new health plans from an insurance company
or through the government’s health insurance
Marketplace.
Florida Blue or your local insurance agent
can also help you understand your choice
of plans on the Marketplace, plus other
options for health plans through Florida
Blue. We can help you apply and enroll.
Premium Tax Credits
You may be eligible for a tax credit or 'subsidy'
to help pay for your health plan through the
Marketplace. For 2013, Individuals who make less
than $45,960 or families of four that make less than
$94,200 may qualify for a subsidy.
Cost-sharing reduction
If you buy a health plan from the 'Silver' category
through the Marketplace and your income is below a
certain level, you may get a discount on your health
care services. This lowers the amount you'll pay out-of
pocket for your health care deductibles, coinsurance
and copayments.
Bronze
cost of the health plan and see what health costs it
covers. Usually the lower your deductible, the
higher the monthly health plan bill.
Silver
Gold
Platinum
Pay to the
order of:
Medical Loss Ratio(MLR) Rebate Date:
Dollars
$
Pay to the
order of:
Medical Loss Ratio(MLR) Rebate Date:
Dollars
$
How can I learn more about how health care reform affects me?
We encourage you to talk to us one-on-one for answers to your specific health insurance questions. We can
explain your options and walk through the next steps you may need to take, so you can make the best
decisions for you and your family.
Call: 1-800-633-6808 or your local insurance agent
Visit: a Florida Blue Center – find one near you at floridablue.com
Visit our blog at blog.floridablue.com
Florida Blue, Florida’s Blue Cross and Blue Shield Company
Florida Blue is an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
77821-0913R
Stay up-to-date 24/7!
Just visit our website at FloridaBlueHealthCareReform.com. Read facts about the health care
law and how the changes may affect you, view the top FAQs and more. The Resources section
at the bottom of the page has a lot of great interactive tools: a subsidy estimator, an ebook
you can download, a fun and educational video library, plus a timeline of key dates.
This information is for illustrative purposes only and is being provided to help increase understanding of the impacts of some of the
provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). It does not attempt to cover all of the law’s provisions and is not intended as tax or legal advice.
We encourage members to seek professional advice including legal counsel, regarding how the new requirements may affect you.
Starting October 1, the cost of a
health plan will be based on your
age, where you live and if you use
tobacco. It won't matter if you are
male or female or if you have any
kind of health condition.
Extra help for
kids under 19
Starting this fall, all
plans for individuals
and families will include
kid’s vision care and
some will include dental
care for kid's under age
19. All plans for small
businesses will have
vision and dental care
for kids under 19.
DENTAL
Essential Health Benefits
This fall, all of the new health plans for individuals
and small businesses must include a comprehensive
list of items and services known as 'Essential Health
Benefits'. These include things like emergency
services, hospitalization, maternity and newborn
care, mental health and substance dependency
services, prescription drugs, preventive and wellness
services, pediatric dental and vision care.
VISION
$0
Mammograms,
well-woman visits,
breast-feeding
supplies and support
Routine physicals,
immunizations,
well-child visits
Eye exams, lenses
and more for
children
under age 19
Contraceptives
Use our subsidy estimator and see if you may
qualify by visiting:
floridabluehealthcarereform.com/subsidy-estimator
2012
2013
2014