How Americans Will Be Offered Consistent Affordable Health Care Options

Much information about the implementation of the Affordable Care Act designed to provide affordable health insurance options have been published for all Americans in 2014. To ensure that the standards are met and insurance premiums applied consistently, the Government Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on 20 November 2012, issued rules for states to follow in implementing the Affordable Care Act.
The rules protect the consistency of standards for what is known as "essential health benefits" (EHB). This is not only the quality of health care coverage, but also a consistent way for individuals to compare health plans. For private and small group health plans, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) rule specifically requires measures to essential health benefits in at least ten categories, the outpatient, emergency services, hospitalization, maternity and newborn care, treatment of mental health offer and include substance abuse, medication, rehabilitation and devices, laboratory services, preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management, and pediatric services (including oral and vision care).