Health benefits in the United States include health insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. These benefits can help protect people from high medical bills and improve their health outcomes.
Health insurance
- Protects people from high medical bills
- Provides access to care
- Associated with lower death rates and better health outcomes
- Can be purchased through employers or on the individual market
- Plans must cover essential health benefits, such as doctors’ services, prescription drugs, and mental health services
Medicare
- A public program that provides health benefits for adults age 65 and older, and some people with disabilities
Medicaid
- A public program that provides health benefits for low-income people
Children’s Health Insurance Program
- A public program that provides health benefits for children
Veterans Affairs programs
- A public program that provides health benefits for veterans
Affordable Care Act (ACA)
- A law that expanded health insurance coverage and required health insurance plans to cover essential health benefits