Starting in January of 2014, the Affordable Care Act will require all individual, family, and small group health insurance plans in North Carolina to provide coverage for what are considered “essential health benefits.” Right now, different health insurance providers offer a range of benefits depending on which plan you purchase and where you live. The mandated essential health benefits will help standardize basic coverage for individuals, families, and small groups in North Carolina.
What are the essential health benefits?
North Carolina has determined that all health insurance plans must provide some level of coverage for the 10 categories listed below.
- 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/wellness and chronic disease management
- Pediatric services, including oral and vision care
Will your NC health insurance be compatible in 2014?
Depending on your health insurance provider, your plan may or may not be compatible with new healthcare standards. Contact us and we can assess your current health insurance plan to see if it will be compatible in 2014. We can help you explore your best health insurance options for when Obamacare comes into effect.