What does MEC (Minimum Essential Coverage) refer to?

What does MEC (Minimum Essential Coverage) refer to?

• A. A list of ten required benefits including preventive services.
• B. A cap on premiums.
• C. A type of high-deductible plan.
• D. A subsidy program.

Answer: (A)

Minimum Essential Coverage means having health insurance that meets the ACA’s required level of coverage. It refers to plans that cover the ten essential health benefit categories, which include preventive services among others like outpatient care, emergency services, hospitalization, maternity and newborn care, mental health and substance use treatment, prescription drugs, rehabilitative services, laboratory services, and pediatric services. Because MEC is defined by providing these essential benefits, the description of a list of ten required benefits including preventive services best captures what MEC is. It’s not about capping premiums, nor about a specific high-deductible plan, nor a subsidy program.

Minimum Essential Coverage means having health insurance that meets the ACA’s required level of coverage. It refers to plans that cover the ten essential health benefit categories, which include preventive services among others like outpatient care, emergency services, hospitalization, maternity and newborn care, mental health and substance use treatment, prescription drugs, rehabilitative services, laboratory services, and pediatric services. Because MEC is defined by providing these essential benefits, the description of a list of ten required benefits including preventive services best captures what MEC is. It’s not about capping premiums, nor about a specific high-deductible plan, nor a subsidy program.