New proposed Affordable Care Act rule to simplify eligibility and benefits (Video)

While the basic concept behind the Affordable Care Act is understood by most Americans, the complex logistics that will affect our access to healthcare and coverage of costs is bewildering. Monday afternoon, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced she is seeking your comments and input on a new proposed rule that, according to the HHS press release, is meant to "develop systems that will make it easy for consumers to determine if they are eligible for Medicaid or tax credits that make insurance more affordable." The new rule is also designed to give states more flexibility when operating their Medicaid programs.

Starting in 2014, millions of Americans will become eligible for health coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Some will receive it through Medicaid, some through the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and others via the new health insurance marketplaces (also known as the Exchanges).

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius proposes a new rule under the Affordable Care Act.

Photo credit: 

Bill Pugliano/Getty Images

“Before the health care law was passed, millions of Americans were unable to obtain or afford quality health coverage,” Secretary Sebelius said. “Today, we are proposing a rule to provide Americans with access to affordable, high quality health coverage and give states more flexibility to implement the law in a way that works for them.”

Beginning in 2014, adults who earn up to 133 percent of poverty -- $14,865 for an individual or $30,656 for a family of four -- can be eligible for Medicaid. If your employer doesn't offer group health insurance, you will be eligible to buy it through a health insurance marketplace, and you may be eligible for tax credits to reduce the monthly cost.

For more information on this proposed rule, click on FACTSHEET

To read the complete proposed rule, click on NEWRULE

Here's how to comment on the new proposed rule. You have until 5pm on February 13, 2013. In commenting, please refer to file code CMS-2334-P.

You may submit comments in one of four ways (please choose only one of the ways
listed):

1. Electronically. You may submit electronic comments on this regulation to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the "Submit a comment" instructions.
2. By regular mail. You may mail written comments to the following address ONLY:
   Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
   Department of Health and Human Services
   Attention: CMS-2334-P
   P.O. Box 8016
   Baltimore, MD 21244-8016
   Please allow sufficient time for mailed comments to be received before the close of the comment period.
3. By express or overnight mail. You may send written comments to the following address ONLY:
   Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
   Department of Health and Human Services
   Attention: CMS-2334-P
   Mail Stop C4-26-05
   7500 Security Boulevard
   Baltimore, MD 21244-1850.
4. By hand or courier. Alternatively, you may deliver (by hand or courier) yourwritten comments ONLY to the following addresses prior to the close of the comment period:
   a. For delivery in Washington, DC--
   Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
   Department of Health and Human Services
   Room 445-G, Hubert H. Humphrey Building
   200 Independence Avenue, SW.
   Washington, DC 20201
   b. For delivery in Baltimore, MD--
   Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
   Department of Health and Human Services
   7500 Security Boulevard
   Baltimore, MD 21244-1850