What are considered essential health benefits (EHB) under the ACA?

Essential health benefits (EHB) under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) represent a set of health care service categories that must be covered by certain health plans. These benefits are designed to ensure that a minimum standard of coverage is provided to individuals and families.

Mental health and substance use disorder treatment is indeed classified as an essential health benefit. This means that plans must cover these services, offering support for individuals dealing with mental health issues or substance abuse. This coverage emphasizes the importance of mental health parity, ensuring that mental health and substance use services are treated like any other medical service within health insurance plans.

The other options, while significant in their own right, do not fall under the defined essential health benefits. For instance, preventive services and wellness exams are essential but are often categorized separately under preventive care. Long-term care services typically are not covered in standard health insurance and usually require separate policies or plans. Cosmetic surgery is typically excluded from essential health benefits, as it is generally considered non-essential and elective. Therefore, the correct understanding revolves around the rigorous inclusivity of mental health and substance use disorder treatment as part of the core benefits that ensure comprehensive health coverage under the ACA.