California reveals details of health-law insurance plans

Consumers are getting their first glimpse at what health insurance will look like in California as the state prepares to implement the federal healthcare law.

On Wednesday, state officials will spell out the details on policies available next year to people buying their own coverage. In January 2014, most Americans will be required to have health insurance or face a penalty.

Federal law established four broad plans of coverage — Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze — whose benefits vary based on the level of out-of-pocket expenses that consumers are required to pay. A Platinum plan, the most expensive, would require policyholders to pay about 10% of the cost of care, while the Bronze plan, the least expensive, pegs the patient share at 40%.

Document: Details of California's healthcare plans

Now for the first time, California is laying out the specific co-pays and deductibles that many policyholders will face when going to see a doctor, get a lab test or visit an emergency room.

Nationwide, President Obama's Affordable Care Act requires insurers to cover certain services, such as maternity care and prescription drugs, and they must accept all applicants regardless of preexisting medical conditions. But the federal law allows states to go beyond those minimum standards and set stricter rules.

State officials said they took this extra step to help Californians get the best deal when they shop for insurance. Consumers will be able to buy these policies through Covered California, the state-run marketplace for health insurance.

"For the first time, all Californians will be able to make an apples-to-apples comparison of their health plan choices in 2014," said Peter Lee, executive director of Covered California. "Today's health insurance market is a shell game where insurers are trying to avoid paying for expensive care and consumers don't know what's covered or not covered."

By Chad Terhune

Full Story - LA Times