Healthcare law which is called the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was passed on March 23, 2010 by
President Obama. There are several provisions of the law that might affect your family and especially
your child with special needs.

The Affordable Care Act and Children with Special Health Care Needs New Report: Breaking the link between children’s special health care needs and financial hardship

Affordable Care Act and Children with Special Health Care Needs

Changes for North Dakota Provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) can be beneficial for your family and especially for your child with special needs. Some of the sweeping changes include removal of pre-existing condition clause for children, expansion of Medicaid by raising the income limit, and abolition of lifetime caps for children.

For an in depth review of the changes that might affect your child and your family

ND Department of Insurance Health Care Reform Page

Healthcare Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA)

Key Terms You Should Know

Timeline of the Law

Most of the changes brought about by the law will go into effect by 2014. But to ease the transition process the law is being phased in.

What’s Changing When(Condensed Version)

What’s Changing When (Full Version)

Implementation Timeline by Year

Pre-Existing Condition

If you have been denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition or a chronic condition now there is help. You can apply for:

Pre-Existing Coverage Insurance Plan (PCIP). Learn more about how you and your child can enroll.
Open Enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplace
Beginning in October 2013, Open Enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplace Begins The following link offers a checklist of 7 things families and individuals can do to prepare for this new opportunity:
Consumer Checklist

Impact on Young Adults

Effective immediately if your child is on your plan or if your private insurance plan has a dependent policy then your child can continue to be on your plan until they turn 26.