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Essential Health Benefits under the ACA

Starting this year, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires that health plans offered in the individual and small-group markets offer essential health benefits within at least ten categories:

ambulatory patient services
emergency services
hospitalization
maternity and newborn care
mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment
prescription drugs
rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices
laboratory services
preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management
pediatric services, including oral and vision care

Visit the sidebar for further resources on the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Ewoldt, L. L. (2013). Healthcare reform: resolve to increase your knowledge in 2014.American Nurses Today, 9(1), 8-11.