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Understanding The Affordable Care Act: One Woman's Concerns

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - A key provision of the Affordable Care Act that will provide health insurance coverage to millions of uninsured Americans is set to go into effect on Oct. 1.

In her 10-part series, Understanding The Affordable Care Act, WCBS 880's Marla Diamond spoke with one woman who's apprehensive about the coming online exchanges.

A history of bad experiences with insurance companies is compounding the anxiety of entering the health care exchange for one Long Island woman, Diamond reported.

Understanding The Affordable Care Act: One Woman's Concerns

"I have cancer. Which is going to be the best plan for me? My chemo costs $7,000 a month. According to these plans, I will be responsible for 10 percent or up to 40 percent. How can I afford to pay for my chemo at these prices?" Dolores Persky of Wantagh told Diamond.

Elisabeth Benjamin with the Community Service Society of New York said their team of volunteers has been busy helping people figure out the best deal for their specific situation.

WEB EXTRA: UNDERSTANDING THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT

Benjamin, a longtime advocate for affordable health care, said the online exchanges will actually benefit Persky, whose annual household income is $59,000.

"Her premiums are going to go down by $700 or $900 a month if she takes the silver level product and she'll have much more comprehensive health insurance," Benjamin told Diamond.

Persky said she's still skeptical about the Affordable Care Act.

"I'm not dipping into my children's college funds for me to afford chemo. But then, I'm also on the other hand not going to not go for chemo and have my girls grow up without a mom," she told Diamond.

In Part 6 on Monday, Diamond will show us how one Bergen County hospital is dramatically reducing emergency room visits and bringing down costs under the Affordable Care Act.

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