Essential health benefits under the ACA refer to what?

The concept of essential health benefits (EHB) under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is designed to ensure that all health insurance plans offered in the marketplace provide a minimum standard of coverage. This means that there is a prescribed set of categories that must be included in health plans. These categories encompass a wide range of healthcare services, such as outpatient care, emergency services, hospitalization, maternity and newborn care, mental health services, prescription drugs, rehabilitative services, preventive and wellness services, and pediatric services, among others.

The establishment of these essential health benefits helps to protect consumers from inadequate coverage and ensures that they have access to comprehensive healthcare services. Therefore, the correct answer highlights that these are mandatory categories of services that health plans must cover to comply with ACA regulations. This requirement aims to enhance the quality of care and protect public health by ensuring access to necessary medical services for all individuals, particularly those who may have previously been excluded or received insufficient coverage.