Affordable Care Act: All policies must include 10 essential benefits

1. Ambulatory patient services: This is typical coverage. It includes visits to your doctor’s office, which many plans already cover
2. Emergency services: Visits to the emergency room must be covered, and you can’t be penalized
3. Hospitalization: Hospital stays must be covered, though you may have to pay 20% or more of your bill if you haven’t reached your plan’s out-of-pocket limit
4. Maternity and newborn care: Policies must cover costs for prenatal care, delivery and care for the mother as well as postnatal care.
5. Mental health and substance abuse services: All policies must provide coverage for both inpatient and outpatient care, though some carriers may limit this to 20 days each per year.
6. Prescription drugs: At least one drug in every category and classification of federally approved drugs must be covered by plans
7. Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices: Plans must provide therapy, rehabilitation, and habilitation services
8. Laboratory services: Preventive screening tests — including those for prostate exams and breast cancer screenings — must be provided free
9. Preventive and wellness services: Policies must cover dozens of screenings to help prevent chronic disease
10. Pediatric services: Dental and vision care, previously not covered by many health policies, must be offered to children younger than 19

Source: Detroit Free Press
Source URL: http://www.freep.com/article/20140219/FEATURES08/302190008/1...

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