Washington, D.C. -- September 24, 2012 -- "This week marks the beginning of a new era for consumers seeking reliable and accessible information about their health benefits. For decades, consumers have had to rely on long and complicated benefit summaries for those details. But under the Affordable Care Act, insurers now must provide consumers with simple and easy-to-read information designed to help them better understand their coverage options.
"The Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) includes crucial information about the medical services available to consumers in return for their premiums and deductibles. It informs patients about whether the coverage is adequate to meet the needs of someone with cancer or another medical issue. The summary empowers all patients and consumers for the first time to make informed choices about the best health plan for them and their families.
No wonder the SBC is one of the most popular provisions of the Affordable Care Act. Cancer patients, survivors and their families are now in a far better position to make important decisions about their health coverage.
ACS CAN continues to advocate for implementation of the law 's patient protections in ways that work best for those affected by cancer.
ACS CAN is the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate organization of the American Cancer Society, dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem. ACS CAN works to encourage lawmakers, candidates and government officials to support laws and policies that will make cancer a top national priority. ACS CAN gives ordinary people extraordinary power to fight cancer. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.