Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC)

Basically, minimum essential coverage is the essential health benefits that all ACA-compliant plans must include. Essential health benefits fall into ten categories: outpatient services, emergency services, hospitalization, maternity and newborn care, mental health and substance use disorder services (including behavioral health treatment), prescription drugs, rehabilitative and habilitative services (those that help patients acquire, maintain, or improve skills necessary for daily functioning) and devices, laboratory services, preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management, and pediatric services, including oral and vision care. Non ACA-compliant insurance is not required to offer MEC.