Launched in July, www.HealthCare.gov is a federal government, consumer-focused website managed by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The website’s primary purpose is to guide consumers through their options available under the Affordable Care Act.
It also:
- Contains information to help people learn more about what the Affordable Care Act means for individuals, families, and small businesses.
- Helps consumers search for insurance coverage options via an “Insurance Finder” tool. This provides links with the details of each plan and contact information.
- Offers information about prevention.
- Enables site visitors to compare quality of hospitals, nursing homes and dialysis facilities.
- Has an interactive timeline that explains what is changing and when.
- Provides news, links and a glossary.
The site includes information on specific elements of the Affordable Care Act, including pre-existing conditions, keeping children under the age of 26 on parents’ health insurance plans, the Patient’s Bill of Rights, physician choices, access to emergency departments, the impact on Medicare, small business tax credits, and more commonly asked questions about the new law.
You can download information on a variety of subjects that might be of interest to your patients including topics like immunization information, how the act will impact people living with HIV/AIDS, and how to appeal claims decisions.
People can also interact with HealthCare.gov on Facebook and Twitter.