When is an insurance policy considered "grandfathered" under the Affordable Care Act?

A health insurance policy is considered "grandfathered" under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) if it was issued before March 23, 2010. This designation allows plans that existed on that date to continue without having to meet certain new requirements imposed by the ACA, such as coverage for pre-existing conditions and preventive services without copayments for certain care.

The key element distinguishing grandfathered plans is their original issuance date—before the cutoff set by the ACA. This status is significant because it provides certain protections for existing plans while other newly issued plans must comply with all ACA requirements.

Other criteria, such as the type of plan (individual or group) or the absence of changes made after March 23, 2010, do not determine whether a policy is grandfathered. Those aspects may impact other regulations but do not affect the foundational guideline of the original issuance date, which is the primary factor in designating a policy as grandfathered.