U.S. Chamber of Commerce Urges HHS to Keep Health Benefits Affordable
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is developing a final rule on the essential health benefits that individual and small-group plans must cover as part of the 2010 healthcare reform law. The “ Essential Health Benefits Bulletin ” as issued by Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS’s) Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CCIIO) on December 16, 2011 has concluded under the Affordable Care Act that the mandated all health insurance plans are required to offer a core package of items and services known as “Essential Health Benefits (EHBs).” HHS has identified 10 ESB categories: (1) ambulatory patient services; (2) emergency services; (3) hospitalization; (4) maternity and newborn care; (5) mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment; (6) prescription drugs; (7) rehabilitative services and devices; (8) laboratory services; (9) preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management; and ...