ACA Provisions
Expansion of Health Care Coverage and Access
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has had several impacts on the delivery, type, and/care method provided to patients. One of the most significant provisions of the ACA is expanding health care coverage and access to health care services (Lantz & Rosenbaum, 2020). This provision has resulted in more individuals accessing health care services, including those who may not have had access to care.
Promotion of Preventive Services and Quality Care Delivery
The ACA also includes provisions that promote the use of preventive services and the delivery of quality care. For example, the ACA’s inclusion of preventive services, including immunizations and screenings, with no cost-sharing has enabled more people to avail themselves of these services, leading to better health outcomes (Chait & Glied, 2018). Moreover, the ACA mandates that health plans cover evidence-based services, such as cancer screenings and diabetes management, thereby promoting the delivery of quality care.
Integration of Technology in Care Delivery
Provisions backed by the ACA enable care delivery to be supported by technology, such as telemedicine and electronic health records. This can make the process of delivering care more efficient and allow providers to give their patients coordinated care.
Support for Patient-Centered and Coordinated Care
Finally, the ACA includes provisions that support patient-centered care. For instance, the ACA includes provisions supporting the patient-centered medical home model of care, emphasizing the patient-provider relationship and team-based care (Lantz & Rosenbaum, 2020). This model of care encourages providers to develop a relationship with their patients and to coordinate care with other providers. Additionally, the ACA encourages the use of patient-reported outcomes measures, which can help providers better understand their patients’ needs and tailor care to their individual needs.
Summary
Overall, the Affordable Care Act has significantly affected the way and manner in which health care is provided to patients. This law has enabled more individuals to access health care, increased the focus on preventive care, improved the quality of care, enabled the use of technology, and promoted patient-centered care.
References
Chait, N., & Glied, S. (2018). Promoting prevention under the Affordable Care Act. Annual Review of Public Health, 39, 507-524. Web.
Lantz, P. M., & Rosenbaum, S. (2020). The potential and realized impact of the Affordable Care Act on health. Journal of Health Politics, and Policy Law, 45(5), 831–845. Web.