Eight Ways Young Women Benefit From Obamacare

Quick list of what's great about the ACA for young women.

Electronic Health Records - Insurers will be required to provide electronic health records, which will reduce paperwork and costs and make it easier for health care providers, from physicians to pharmacists, to access a patient's information.  (Photo: Getty Images/STOCK)

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Eight Ways Young Women Benefit From Obamacare - You've heard people arguing about Obamacare (officially known as the Affordable Care Act or ACA) for months ... but you may have tuned it all out, because it's all so confusing and you don’t even know how — or if — it affects you. But starting in 2014, the law will require most people to buy insurance or risk paying a $95 fine, so now is the time to pay attention. And the fact is, you may discover that there are lots of benefits you'll be able to take advantage of that you couldn't before. Here's a quick list of what's great about the ACA, especially for young women. — Reporting and writing by Phil Galewitz/ Kaiser Health News (Photo: Todd Pearson/Getty Images)

Respect Your Private Time - Spending time with your loved ones doesn’t mean anything if you’re glued to your cell. Show them that they matter and that you can live in the moment with them. STOP checking emails and texting folks from the job when you are out. (Photo: Jupiterimages/Getty Images)

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You Can Stay on Your Parents' Health Policy Until You Turn 26 - Previously, most insurers did not allow young adults beyond age 21 to stay on their parents' policies. More than 3 million young adults have gained coverage since this provision went into effect in 2010. Your parents will be charged the same rates as when you were younger. You can be covered by their policy even if you’re married, but the coverage won't extend to your spouse.(Photo: Jupiterimages/Getty Images)

Birth Control Is Included - Did you know that under Obamacare, name brand and generic birth control and other forms of hormonal contraception like the patch and IUDs are covered under these insurance plans? That means no more co-pay.  (Photo: GettyImages)  

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You’re Entitled to Free Preventive Care, Including Birth Control  - Since 2012, nearly 30 million women have benefited from free preventive services including checkups, screenings for diabetes and HIV, contraceptives and family planning counseling. Keep in mind, health plans may not cover all birth control, so your preferred method may not be one of the ones provided, but you will have at least one free option. Also, certain religious employers are exempt from the birth control requirement.  (Photo: Keith Brofsky/Getty Images)

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Create a Budget - Not only will it make you more responsible with your money, but it will let you see where you can cut back so you can save even more. It will also teach you the skills you’ll need to live well on your fixed retirement income. Try You Need a Budget’s simple tool, and make your budget part of a digital financial organization system that will make all aspects of your money life easier.  (Photo: JGI/Jamie Grill/Getty Images)

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You May Be Eligible for Government Discounts on Insurance - Starting Oct. 1, new online health insurance exchanges will go live in every state, selling coverage that will take effect Jan. 1, 2014. The exchanges will allow you to compare prices and benefits to find an insurance plan you can afford that fits your needs; if you still feel you can’t afford it, you can find out whether you’re entitled to a federal tax credit based on your income. The lower your income, the higher the tax credit. You can get the discount at the time you enroll. Find information on your state exchange here.(Photo: JGI/Jamie Grill/Getty Images)

My Hair Can Grow Longer During Pregnancy – FACT - If you’re pregnant or have been, you may have found that your hair felt fuller during your pregnancy although your hair isn’t actually growing faster. Instead, you were simply losing it at a slower rate than usual. During the resting phase of hair growth, your hair naturally sheds. During pregnancy women experience higher estrogen levels, which prolong the hair’s growth phase resulting in less shedding.  (Photo: Monika Bender/Getty Images)

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You’ll Have Maternity Coverage, No Matter What - You may not know this but only about 12 percent of health plans sold on the individual market currently include coverage for maternity, according to Judy Waxman of the National Women’s Law Center. But starting next year, all individual health plans will have to include 10 essential health benefits including maternity care, as well as hospitalization, prescription drugs, mental health services and preventive services.(Photo: Monika Bender/Getty Images)

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And Forbearance? - For people who do not qualify for deferment, you can apply for forbearance. If approved, you may be able to stop paying your loans for up to one year. Your interest is still accruing over this time, however.(Photo: Khuong Hoang/Getty Images)

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You Can’t Be Charged More Than a Guy  - In most states, insurers are currently allowed to charge women more than men for individual coverage. According to the National Women’s Law Center, in 30 percent of cases, nonsmoking women were charged more than men who smoked. Such gender rating will be outlawed starting next year.(Photo: Khuong Hoang/Getty Images)

You Can’t Be Rejected for Having a “Pre-Existing Condition” - Today, insurers can deny you health insurance if you have a chronic condition such as asthma or diabetes (in which case you’re considered a health risk); if they do accept you regardless of these conditions, they can still charge you more for coverage. But starting next year it will be illegal for them to penalize you this way; health premiums may vary based on three factors only: age, where you live, and whether you’re a smoker. (Photo: Fuse/Getty Images)

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You Can’t Be Rejected for Having a “Pre-Existing Condition” - Today, insurers can deny you health insurance if you have a chronic condition such as asthma or diabetes (in which case you’re considered a health risk); if they do accept you regardless of these conditions, they can still charge you more for coverage. But starting next year it will be illegal for them to penalize you this way; health premiums may vary based on three factors only: age, where you live, and whether you’re a smoker. (Photo: Fuse/Getty Images)

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If You Are an Individual Who Makes Under $16,000 a Year… - You may be eligible for Medicaid. Medicaid is the state-federal health insurance program for the poor, and it’s being expanded by the law to those whose annual income is under the federal poverty level. However, because the Supreme Court ruled that the expansion is optional for states, only about half of them are participating. (Photo: REUTERS/John Sommers II /Landov )

If You're a Breastfeeding Mom… - You can pump at work more comfortably. Since 2011, the law has required employers to provide a "reasonable break time" and a private place (not a bathroom) for you to pump breast milk during the workday. The law also requires health plans to cover the costs of breastfeeding equipment and breastfeeding counseling without a co-pay. (Photo: Fuse/Getty Images)

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If You're a Breastfeeding Mom… - You can pump at work more comfortably. Since 2011, the law has required employers to provide a "reasonable break time" and a private place (not a bathroom) for you to pump breast milk during the workday. The law also requires health plans to cover the costs of breastfeeding equipment and breastfeeding counseling without a co-pay. (Photo: Fuse/Getty Images)

Verify - The bill expands the E-Verify system and requires employers to confirm that prospective workers are legally eligible to work in the U.S. within three business days after an offer of employment has been accepted. They also must verify status using fraud- and identity-theft resistant documents.  (Photo: Chris Ryan/Getty Images)

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One Final Note - Not everyone will see immediate coverage changes; many of you who get your insurance through your job are in "grandfathered" plans, which are exempt from some of the rules. Ask your company's health benefits administrator if this is the case for you. —From Kaiser Health News (Photo: Chris Ryan/Getty Images)