The Affordable Care Act: Does it Include Dental and Vision Coverage?
When it comes to health insurance in the United States, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has been a game-changer for many Americans. However, there is still some confusion about whether the ACA includes coverage for dental and vision care. In this article, we will explore the provisions of the ACA related to dental and vision care to help you better understand what is covered under the law.
Overview of the Affordable Care Act
The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, was signed into law in 2010 with the goal of making healthcare more affordable and accessible for all Americans. One of the key provisions of the ACA is the requirement that all health insurance plans sold on the marketplace must cover a set of essential health benefits.
Essential Health Benefits
The essential health benefits required by the ACA include services such as hospitalization, prescription drugs, and preventive care. However, dental and vision care are not considered essential health benefits under the ACA. This means that health insurance plans sold on the marketplace are not required to include coverage for dental and vision care for adults.
Children’s Dental and Vision Coverage
While dental and vision care for adults may not be included in all health insurance plans under the ACA, the law does require plans to offer dental and vision coverage for children. This means that children’s dental and vision care must be covered as part of the essential health benefits for health insurance plans sold on the marketplace.
Standalone Dental and Vision Plans
If you are looking for dental and vision coverage for yourself as an adult, you have the option to purchase standalone dental and vision plans outside of the health insurance marketplace. These plans are separate from your health insurance and typically require an additional premium.
Medicaid Coverage
For those who qualify for Medicaid, the state and federal health insurance program for low-income individuals and families, dental and vision coverage may be included as part of their benefits. However, coverage can vary by state, so it is important to check with your state Medicaid program to see what is covered.
Medicare Coverage
If you are enrolled in Medicare, the federal health insurance program for individuals age 65 and older, dental and vision care is not included in the original Medicare plan. However, some Medicare Advantage plans, which are offered by private insurance companies as an alternative to traditional Medicare, may include dental and vision coverage.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Affordable Care Act does not include dental and vision coverage as essential health benefits for adults. However, children’s dental and vision care is required to be covered under health insurance plans sold on the marketplace. If you are in need of dental and vision coverage for yourself as an adult, you have the option to purchase standalone plans or explore Medicaid and Medicare options. It is important to research and compare different plans to find the coverage that best fits your needs.