New rules from a health insurance reform package signed into law by President Obama has kicked in, according to the Washington Post. They are:

• Limits on how health insurance companies spend customers' premiums.

"The rule requires that insurers spend at least 80 percent of this money on the customers themselves....For policies that are sold to large groups instead of small companies and individuals, the number is even higher: 85 percent. The remaining 15 or 20 percent of the money can be used for a company's salaries, marketing and overhead - or kept as profit."

• Pharmaceutical companies must give seniors in Medicare's "doughnut hole" a 50% discount on brand-name prescription drugs.

• Free preventative screenings for seniors as well as one free wellness visit per year for Medicare beneficiaries.

• The creation of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation.

"This new agency is aimed at slowing down the rapid rise of health-care costs. It is supposed to foster innovation in both caring for patients and processing their payments and claims."

I, for one, look forward to these changes. Happy new year all!