DETROIT — Beginning this October, Michigan residents may be affected by the federal health reform law. What health insurance covers, where people can buy it and whether people qualify for government financial assistance are questions many people in the State will be asking. 

To help people in Michigan understand the new law and its impact on them, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) has launched an interactive website, HealthCareReformBasics.com. 

“Health care is undergoing its biggest change since Medicare was created nearly 50 years ago. People have lots of questions. We wanted to provide a place where people, on their own time, can explore health reform’s impact, based on their own circumstances and coverage situation,” said Andrew Hetzel, vice president for corporate communications at BCBSM. 

BCBSM wants Michigan residents to stay informed about how this transformation will affect their care. The site addresses many basic questions that residents all have, from what health care reform is, to discussing potential impacts for consumers.  It also further breaks them down, by allowing consumers to navigate through the website and choose a path that is specifically designed for them. 

“The purpose of this website is to educate and, we hope, to give people a more personalized experience in finding information that is relevant to their own circumstances,” Hetzel said.  “Health reform will affect different people in different ways. The best way to prepare is to explore – based on your family size, income and coverage situation – how it may affect you.” 

BCBSM will continue to update HealthCareReformBasics.com, as new information regarding implementation of the ACA is available. Consumers can also sign up for email updates detailing changes in the law.