Now that the United States has passed health care reform, many people are wondering what this means for them. Here is a general overview of changes that will be coming within the first year of the health care reform’s passage.

First, additional rules will be put in force to regulate insurance companies. The insurance companies can no longer drop people purely because they get sick, and limits on your health care expenses over your lifetime have been removed. In addition, children con no longer be barred from receiving medical insurance because they have a preexisting condition, and people under the age of 26 are now allowed to stay on their parents health insurance plans. These programs serve as ways to resolve issues with insurance companies offering insurance only until you actually get sick.

The next area of the bill for this year is the expansion of medicare benefits. Medicare drug users will find that they receive a $250 payment to cover a portion of the out of pocket expenses when they spend between $2,700 and $6,154 (an area of coverage that is currently exposed). While adults aged 55 to 64 will not be covered by medicare in the first year, they will be instated into a temporary insurance program until 2014.

Finally, the new bill will place a ten percent tax on tanning services that use ultraviolet lamps. Many people find themselves confused by this piece of legislation, but the rationale is that these services cause long term health effects and so, they should pay a portion of the costs.

While the bill has significantly further reaching impact than this, these are the changes that will go into effect in the first year.

Many people are under the impression that under Obama’s health plan they no longer need to go out and get health cover and the government will take care of it for you. This is far from the truth and you still need to get health cover yourself.

When you start looking for cheaper health insurance you need to make sure you compare the policies carefully, especially now with the changed in the healthcare system.

the best way to to do this is to compare them and make sure you understand them.

#1. Read the details of the plan carefully, so you do not get any nasty surprises when you need treatment and you know exactly what is covered.

#2. Start a HSA with the health care insurance company. This account is free of taxes and can be used to cover you expenses if need be. Don’t get tempted by a low premium and high deductible medical costs.

What’s more, you should consider a policy that has a disability insurance included. This feature is important if you get seriously ill or hurt and you cannot work anymore. In most cases health insurance has this included and more and more individual policies are beginning to provide this extra feature as well.

#3. Many people are getting really discouraged by having to take out insurance now. With the Obama health plan you now have no choice and if you do not take out a health plan you will face fines. That is the bad news. There is some good news though and this will work in your favor.

Insurance companies are no longer allowed to turn away people with pre-existing conditions. This means you do not have to stay with the same company who will continue hiking their charges and you have to continue paying up. Now you can look at alternative insurers.

If you are looking for cheaper health insurance you do not have to worry about a cap on your cover. Many insurers have capped payouts and cover and hidden this in the small print. This is no longer allowed under Obama’s health plan.

If you are looking for cheaper health insurance now is the time to get it, before health companies start to find ways round these changes and start hiking their prices again. If you want cheaper health cover the best you can do is to compare prices on the internet and find cover that is affordable for you.