The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) was passed in 2010 with the intent of making health care affordable and accessible for all consumers. This course offers an introductory look at the main components of ACA, as well as how the law has changed over time. For anyone who counsels health care consumers, this course will provide guidance on how to objectively advise them about their choices.

Lesson 1: Health Care in the United States
Identifies the sources of health coverage in the United States and why the concept of risk pooling is important to ACA and other health insurance plans. The purpose and primary components of ACA are also reviewed.

Lesson 2: Benefit Mandates
Defines the benefit mandates that apply to all health insurance plans and dives into the details of grandfathered vs. nongrandfathered plans.

Lesson 3: Purchasing Qualifying Coverage
Explains the different types of exchanges, including state-based and federally facilitated exchanges, SHOP exchanges and private exchanges, as well as what types of coverage can be purchased through each.

Lesson 4: Funding ACA
Provides a thorough look at how the individual and employer shared responsibility penalties and the Cadillac Tax were designed to help fund ACA, as well as the current status of each tax.

Lesson 5: Advising Consumers
Discusses the different ways to advise consumers through the unique steps of choosing and enrolling in a health plan.