HHS has unveiled a new on-line tool to help consumers take control of their healthcare. The website www.HealthCare.gov helps to provide information and resources to help access quality affordable healthcare coverage. Called for by the Affordable Care Act, the website provides consumers with both public and private health coverage options tailored specifically to their needs.
Healthcare.gov is the first central database with information on health coverage options that combines information on public programs from Medicare to the new Pre-Existing Conditions Insurance Plan with information available on more than 1,000 private insurance plans.
Consumers can receive information on options specific to their life situation and local community. In addition, the website can connect consumers to quality rankings for local healthcare providers as well as preventive services.
“Healthcare.gov makes it easy for consumers and small businesses to compare health insurance plans in both the public and private sector and find other important healthcare information”, said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.
“This website was developed with significant consumer input and is remarkably easy to navigate despite the sheer volume of content that it offers consumers. The site has billions of healthcare choices through the insurance finder and more than 500 pages of new content”, said HHS Chief Technology Officer Todd Park.
As the healthcare market transforms, so will HealthCare.gov. In October 2010, price estimates for health insurance plans will be available online. In the weeks and months ahead, new information on preventing disease and illness will be posted.
