Covered California Certified Enroller Practice Exam

What is one of the significant components that a health plan must cover to qualify as providing minimum value?

1. Emergency transport services

2. Substantial coverage of inpatient hospital services

3. Coverage for vision and dental services

4. Wellness programs

The correct answer is: Substantial coverage of inpatient hospital services

To qualify as providing minimum value, a health plan must cover a substantial portion of the costs associated with inpatient hospital services. This is a key aspect of the Essential Health Benefits that health plans are required to offer. Inpatient hospital services are critical components of healthcare that can lead to significant medical expenses, making robust coverage essential for ensuring that individuals have access to necessary care without facing prohibitive costs. While emergency transport services, coverage for vision and dental services, and wellness programs can contribute to a comprehensive health plan, they are not explicitly required to meet the minimum value standard. Minimum value is primarily assessed based on the plan's ability to cover a defined set of essential health benefits, which prioritizes inpatient and outpatient services, emergency care, maternity care, mental health services, and prescription drugs. Therefore, robust coverage of inpatient hospital services is a clear indicator of a plan's ability to provide minimum value.