All health benefit plans issued after January 1, 2014 must provide which service?

• A. Dental coverage
• B. Preventative health services
• C. Vision coverage
• D. Maternity benefits

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that after health care reform, plans issued after January 1, 2014 must cover preventive health services without cost-sharing. This obligation exists to encourage people to get preventive care—like screenings, vaccines, and counseling—without paying out-of-pocket, because early detection and prevention improve health outcomes and can reduce costs over time. Preventive services include age-appropriate screenings (blood pressure, cholesterol, cancer screenings), immunizations, and counseling recommended by public health guidelines.

Dental and vision coverage and maternity benefits are not universally mandated for all plans issued after that date. Some plans may offer them, but they aren’t required across the board, whereas providing preventive health services without cost-sharing is a mandated feature for those plans.