Apart from essential benefits, there are additional benefits that are available with health insurance plans . Here are some of them: Birth Control Plans must cover birth control and contraceptive services for women without charging a copayment for an in-network provider. This bar is in place regardless of whether the woman has met her deductible. The covered contraceptive methods, all of which must be FDA-approved, include barrier methods, sterilization (getting a hysterectomy), IUDs and other implant devices, birth control pills, vaginal rings, emergency contraception such as Plan B, and patient education as to the various birth control methods. There are exemptions for birth control coverage, including opt-outs for religious employers. Abortion-inducing pills and male sterilization (vasectomies) are not required coverages. Dental Coverage In some cases, plans will have a separate standalone plan for dental coverage. In others, the premium will include dental care. There are two different dental category plans: high and low. Low plans have lower premiums and higher copayments, while high plans have high premiums and lower copayments. High plans are suitable for people who need a lot of dental care, whereas low plans better suit someone not at the dentist very often. Insurers do not have to offer dental coverage for adults, but it is required for children.

A pre-existing condition is one that existed before a person’s health benefits went into effect. Examples of these include chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and other issues that were affecting the policyholder’s health prior to the date the benefits started. Some insurers would not cover these conditions or accept applicants with them, leading to many people having sub par health care coverage or even no coverage at all. With the ACA, insurers cannot turn down someone with a pre-existing condition. Insurers cannot charge you more or deny you coverage, nor can they raise your rates based on your health once you are enrolled in their plan. Medicaid and CHIP also cannot refuse to accept people or upcharge people based on their pre-existing conditions. Pregnancy is covered, even if you’re pregnant when you apply. An insurance plan cannot reject or upcharge someone because they are pregnant at the time of application. Once enrolled, the pregnancy is covered, so services like prenatal care must be covered under the policy. If you give birth or adopt after you enroll then you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, which means that your coverage can start from the date you give birth or adopt, even if you’re officially enrolled up to sixty days later.

CHIP covers children’s health care costs, which means that their parents or guardians are not required to purchase a plan for them. CHIP works with Medicaid to cover low-income people, elderly, disabled, underage, and other vulnerable groups who may not be able to afford a health care plan. Some states have expanded Medicaid coverage, while others have not. If you have an income of below 133% of the national poverty line, you qualify for Medicaid. If your income level is too high to qualify for Medicaid, your children are covered under CHIP until age 19. Right now CHIP covers around eight million children. In some states, CHIP covers parents and pregnant women as well. Applying for CHIP You can apply for CHIP by calling 1-800-318-2596 or the 1-855-889-4325, a number that services those who are hearing-impaired. You can also complete an application using the Health Insurance Marketplace website, which then sends the applicant’s information to the state. CHIP Coverage CHIP covers a variety of essential health benefits for children, including routine checkups, immunization, doctors’ visits, dental care, vision care, prescriptions, inpatient and outpatient care, emergency services, and laboratory services and tests. Some states cover even more than what is listed here, but the majority are mandated to cover these minimum requirements.

Many Americans suffer from mental health problems and/or substance abuse disorders. These two serious health crises were not covered prior to the ACA (or not often covered), but they have now become essential health benefits, meaning that insurers are required to cover them. Mental Healthcare Coverage All health insurance plans must cover behavioral health treatment including therapy and counseling. If someone with a mental disorder is hospitalized inpatient, the plan must cover their care. Behavioral health benefits vary based upon your home state, but insurers still must meet that minimum requirement. Substance Abuse Coverage Substance abuse disorder is covered under these plans. Treatment for substance abuse, which often requires counseling and therapy, is also required. Substance abuse and mental health problems are considered pre-existing conditions, which is why many insurers, prior to the ACA, were able to deny coverage to sufferers. Now coverage goes into effect the day that your plan starts. No spending limits are permitted when it comes to treating mental health and substance abuse disorders. Plans are also required to have “parity protections”. Parity protections mean that limits applied to mental/substance abuse-related conditions must not be more restrictive than those applied to conditions that do not fall under these categories.

Birthday celebrations and anniversaries are some of the frequent occasions, which involve the exchange of gifts. But apart from these special occasions, there are various events and festivals. Can you recall the time, when someone helped you out when you needed it the most? Thanksgiving is the time to appreciate the efforts of such people, and give them a token of love or appreciation. People generally gift their friends and family members hamper, make-up kits, dresses, shoes, and other things on Thanksgiving. And while these are great gifts to give, don’t you think your loved ones deserve something more meaningful and special on Thanksgiving? And what can be more special than a gift of health? Health insurance plans and policies are among the best gifts you can give those you wish to express gratitude towards. These plans and policies will secure their health for years to come. Do read ahead to learn about some options for affordable health insurance plans. Health insurance plans Cardiac care plan: It helps cover the cost of treatment for people suffering from a heart disease Maternity policies: This policy covers the expense of up to two deliveries, and other expenses needed for newborn babies. Critical illness plan: