What does a phased elimination of annual limits refer to in health insurance?

A phased elimination of annual limits in health insurance refers to gradually removing the cap on the amount of money an insurer will pay for a person's healthcare throughout the year. This concept is particularly important in the context of health reform initiatives aimed at improving patient access to necessary medical services without the fear of hitting a financial limit that would result in reduced coverage.

Health insurance plans used to impose annual limits on the amount of benefits paid out, potentially leaving patients underinsured when they reached those caps. The phased elimination means that over a period, these limits will be lifted entirely, allowing for more comprehensive coverage of healthcare services. This aligns with the goals of promoting better healthcare access and ensuring that individuals can receive necessary treatments without financial constraints.

The other options do not accurately represent the concept of phased elimination of annual limits; they refer to different aspects of health insurance policy management and patient rights. For example, introducing deductibles relates more to out-of-pocket expenses before coverage kicks in, while reductions in patient rights would imply a contrary effect than intended in health reforms.