What is a minimum essential coverage?

Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC) is a type of health insurance that meets the requirements of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare. It is also sometimes referred to as a minimum coverage plan. In Washington, MEC provides benefits such as doctor visits, hospital stays, preventive care, mental health care, prescription drug coverage and more. MEC is essential because it ensures people have coverage for essential medical services. Without MEC, a person might not be able to pay for medical care, leading to other financial or health issues. The MEC requirements vary by state but, in Washington, it includes 10 essential health benefits: Ambulatory patient services, Emergency services, Hospitalization, Maternity and newborn care, Mental health and substance use disorder services, Prescription drugs, Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices, Laboratory services, Preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management, and Pediatric services, including oral and vision care. When considering a health insurance plan, it is important to review the types of coverage it provides in order to make sure it meets the MEC requirements. It is also important to understand any out-of-pocket costs that may be associated with the plan and what type of plan best meets your family’s health care needs.

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