This document discusses opportunities for social workers under the Affordable Care Act and the importance of Medicaid expansion. It summarizes key provisions of the ACA, such as dependent coverage until age 26 and prohibiting pre-existing condition exclusions starting in 2014. The document urges social workers to help enroll uninsured clients and advocate for Medicaid expansion in their states to reduce health disparities and provide coverage to low-income individuals. Social workers are well-positioned to help with enrollment and address psychosocial needs not met by other professions.
5. The Plan:Reform Health Insurance
Cover the Uninsured
• Dependent coverage to age 26 (2010)
• Limits on insurance premium increases (2010)
• No cost-sharing for preventive services (2012)
(cancer screening; mammography, etc.)
• No annual caps (2014)
• Guaranteed Issue - No Pre-ex exclusions (2014)
• Close Medicare donut hole by 2020
• More choice of plans in the individual market and
guarantee of comprehensiveness (2014)