Can employers offer skimpy health plans under ACA?
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) set minimum standards for health insurance plans. These standards include requirements for coverage of essential health benefits, such as doctor visits, hospitalization, and prescription drugs. The ACA also prohibits annual and lifetime limits on coverage.
Despite these requirements, some employers are planning to offer health plans that do not meet the ACA’s minimum standards. These plans are often called “skinny plans” or “mini-med plans.” Skinny plans typically have higher deductibles, higher co-payments, and lower coverage limits than traditional health plans.
Skinny plans are a risky proposition for employees.
If you have a skinny plan, you could be on the hook for thousands of dollars in medical bills if you get sick or injured. In some cases, you may even be denied coverage for essential health benefits.
If you are offered a skinny plan, it is important to carefully consider your options.
You should compare the plan to other health plans that are available to you. You should also talk to a licensed insurance agent to get help understanding your options.
Here are some things to keep in mind when comparing health plans:
Deductible: The deductible is the amount of money you have to pay out-of-pocket before your insurance starts to cover costs.
Co-payment: A co-payment is a fixed amount of money that you have to pay for each medical service.
Co-insurance: Co-insurance is a percentage of the cost of a medical service that you have to pay.
Coverage limits: Coverage limits are the maximum amount of money that your insurance will pay for a particular medical service.
You should also make sure that the plan covers all of the essential health benefits that are required by the ACA. These benefits include:
Doctor visits
Hospitalization
Prescription drugs
Mental health services
Substance abuse treatment
Preventive care
If you have questions about the ACA or about your health insurance options, you can call our licensed agents for help. We can help you understand your options and find a plan that meets your needs.
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