Minimum Essential Coverage Plans (MEC)
Minimum Essential Coverage Plans (MEC)
Our low-cost MEC plans give employees the health benefits required by law.
Our MEC plan options are solid, low-cost alternatives to traditional medical insurance.
BMA specializes in Minimum Essential Coverage plan options which helps employers comply with one of the two Affordable Care Act (ACA) requirements under the Employer Shared Responsibility Provisions (ESRP). Our plans are perfect for small employers as BMA does not require our clients to have a minimum number of employees.
MEC eliminates the costly penalty that employers would otherwise have to pay for each employee under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by covering preventive and wellness-related tests and treatments.
MEC Plan Features
- Covers 100% of the government's listed Preventive and Wellness Benefits when members visit a network provider.
- Provides first dollar coverage with access to one of the largest national preferred provider organizations (PPO) available
- Strong PPO network discount savings
- Network savings can be used for services not covered by the MEC.
Minimum Value (MV) Plans
Minimum value is a standard of minimum coverage that applies to employer group health plans and is only one part of the Employer Shared Responsibility Provisions (ESRP) under the ACA. A health plan meets the minimum value standard if both of these apply:
- It’s designed to pay at least 60% of the total cost of medical services for a standard population.
- Its benefits include substantial coverage of physician and inpatient hospital services.
Covered Services in Minimum Essential Coverage
There are 63 preventive services covered at 100% under the required government list of Preventive and Wellness Benefits when a member visits a network provider. Services covered include immunizations, blood pressure screenings, diabetes and cholesterol screenings, prenatal visits for pregnant women and more. A full list of the covered services is included below.
Covered Preventive Services for Adults
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm one-time screening for age 65 - 75
- Alcohol Misuse screening and counseling
- Aspirin use for men and women of certain ages
- Blood Pressure screening for all adults
- Cholesterol screening for adults
- Colorectal Cancer screening for adults over 50
- Depression screening for adults
- Type 2 Diabetes screening for adults
- Diet counseling for adults
- HIV screening for all adults
- Immunization vaccines for adults (Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Herpes Zoster, Human Papillomavirus, Influenza (Flu Shot), Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Meningococcal, Pneumococcal, Varicella, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis
- Obesity screening and counseling for all adults
- Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) prevention counseling
- Tobacco Use screening for all adults and cessation
- Syphilis screening for all adults at higher risk
Covered Preventive Services for Women, Including Pregnant Women
- Anemia screening on a routine basis for pregnant women
- Bacteriuria urinary tract or other infection screening for pregnant women
- BRCA counseling about genetic testing for women at higher risk
- Breast Cancer Mammography screenings every 1 to 2 years for women over 40
- Breast Cancer Chemoprevention counseling for women at higher risk
- Breastfeeding comprehensive support and counseling from trained providers, as well as access to breastfeeding supplies, for pregnant and nursing women
- Cervical Cancer screening
- Chlamydia Infection screening
- Contraception: Food and Drug Administration-approved contraceptive methods, sterilization procedures and patient education and counseling, not including abortifacient drugs
- Domestic and interpersonal violence screening and counseling for all women
- Folic Acid supplements for women who may become pregnant
Covered Preventive Services for Children
- Alcohol and Drug Use assessments for adolescents
- Autism screening for children at 18 and 24 months
- Behavioral assessments for children limited to 5 assessments up to age 17
- Blood Pressure screening
- Cervical Dysplasia screening
- Congenital Hypothyroidism screening for newborns
- Depression screening for adolescents age 12 and older
- Developmental screening for children under age 3, and surveillance throughout childhood
- Dyslipidemia screening for children
- Fluoride Chemoprevention supplements for children without Fluoride in their water source
- Gonorrhea preventive medication for the eyes of all newborns
- Hearing screening for all newborns
- Height, Weight and Body Mass Index measurements for children
- Hematocrit or Hemoglobin screening for children
- Hemoglobinopathies or sickle cell screening for newborns
- HIV screening for adolescents
For more information regarding preventive care recommendations and immunizations, visit the websites for the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions or the United States Department of Human Services:
For Adults:
- Preventive Services for Adults: http://www.guideline.gov/browse/by-topic.aspx
- Immunization Schedule: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines
For Women’s Health:
For Men’s Health:
For Children:
- Well child check-ups: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/
- Immunization schedule: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines
Request a Consultation
Ready for the next step? Request a consultation to learn how MEC plans can serve the needs of your business.
