Up front, trying to make sense of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Healthcare Reform) is similar to connecting all the dots in the tax code. Apparently this lack of clarity occurs when folks try squeezing into chapters what a sentence or two could say.

One of the most contentious elements of the new law is the mandate for every individual to possess health insurance or face penalties from the federal government (see Rights for Me page 22). Best as we can tell, that portion of the law is scheduled for compliance by 2014.

Various portions of the law are implemented in different years between now and 2014.

“There will be quite a few provisions that kick in six months after the law’s passage (Sept. 23), including children under the age of 19 can’t be denied coverage because of pre-existing conditions,” explains, Eileen St. Pierre, extension personal finance specialist at Oklahoma State University “Your policy can’t be cancelled because you get sick, there will be no more lifetime limits on insurance policies and limits on annual benefits will be restricted.”

As well, insurance companies must now provide dependent coverage for adult children up to age 26.

For adults who were uninsurable because of existing medical problems, by June 21 St. Pierre explains a high-risk insurance pool was to be established so they could obtain insurance. By 2014 that pool is to disappear and insurance companies will be prohibited to deny insurance because of pre-existing conditions.

There are also a number of provisions that begin this year for employers who offer insurance.

According to St. Pierre, small businesses will be immediately eligible for tax credits for up to 35% of premiums if they offer coverage to their employees. She adds there will be some restrictions such as the number of employees, the average wage and the amount of the premium covered by the employer. The tax credit will rise to 50% of premiums in 2014.

Apparently, insurance companies must now also provide information to those they’re insuring that details how patient premiums are spent. By 2011, St. Pierre says insurers will be required to spend 85% of large-group and 80% of small-group plan premiums on health care or to improve health care quality, or rebate the difference to those paying for the insurance.

All of this is just a dusting, of course. In addition to other requirements for individuals and businesses, there’s plenty of change regarding Medicare, Medicaid, associated taxes and whatnot.

Despite how anyone feels about the new law St. Pierre points out that it will affected everyone.

“There is no shortage of opinions regarding the new health reform law and how we will pay for it,” St. Pierre says. “There’s a general sense of fear and uncertainty about this legislation. The best way to overcome fear is with education. Become an educated consumer.”

You can find the House Ways and Means implementation timeline at http://docs.house.gov/energycommerce/TIMELINE.pdf