Monday, March 10, 2014

What are “Essential Health Benefits” and who has to have them?

From 1/1/2014 on, all new health insurance plans (insured small group and individual health insurance plans) must cover the 10 bulleted benefits below, in order to avoid a tax penalty.  


Qualified Health Insurance Plans MUST cover these 10 items without any lifetime or annual limits on these “Essential Health Benefits.”  There are exceptions to those that have to buy these plans.  Those folks that have a State or Federal plan (Medicare, Medicaid, VA, Tricare, CHIP etc.,) or are a part of an Employer Group that provides benefits or are “Grandfathered” or that the insurance is “unaffordable” won’t need to buy.  All the rest of us, unless we are “Exempt” our plan must cover these benefits to be the correct kind of insurance to avoid paying the tax penalty, or until our insurance company tells us our current policy we have now (only if it’s a major medical policy) renews and we must buy a “Qualified Health Plan” that has the following benefits: 


Ambulatory patient services  (clinics, doctors office, same-day surgery centers, etc.)

Emergency services

Hospitalization

Maternity and newborn care

Mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment

Prescription drugs (see below)

Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices

Laboratory services

Preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management

Pediatric services, including dental and vision care (see below)


The Dental for “Pediatrics” means anyone under the age of 19 must have a dental plan to be compliant with the law.  The dental plans have 2 levels.  The low level plan covers 70% of the dental costs, and the high level plan covers 85% of the costs.  The Out of Pocket maximum for the parents for 1 child (or adult) is $700 or $1,400 for 2 or more kids (or adults.)  The pediatric dental has to be covered on and off of the exchange.


Vision for children under the age of 19 is covered, 1 visit per year, 1 pair of glasses per year are covered. The pediatric vision has to be covered on and off of the exchange.
 
 



As always, if you have questions, we are here to help. You can call us at (702) 898-0554 or visit us online:  http://nevadainsuranceenrollment.com/

Thank you for considering Nevada Insurance Enrollment Marketplace for your health insurance needs.

Sincerely,

Shelly Rogers
Nevada Insurance Enrollment Marketplace
Licensed Agent #560016


Phone: (702) 898-0554
Toll Free:  1 (888) 600-0554

E-mail:   Shelly@NevadaInsuranceEnrollment.com
Visit our website for more great information:  http://nevadainsuranceenrollment.com/





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