Illinois Health Insurance Practice Exam

Which Essential Health Benefit is related to mental health and substance use disorder services?

1. Preventative health care

2. Surgical Expense benefits

3. Mental health and substance use disorder services

4. Rehabilitative and habilitative therapy

The correct answer is: Mental health and substance use disorder services

The correct answer identifies mental health and substance use disorder services as an Essential Health Benefit. This classification is critical as it ensures that individuals have access to necessary mental health care and substance use treatment without being subject to annual or lifetime limits. Essential Health Benefits were established under the Affordable Care Act, and mental health services are included to promote comprehensive health care that recognizes the importance of emotional and psychological well-being. By classifying these services as essential, it emphasizes the need for insurance coverage to support those struggling with mental health or substance use issues, aligning with the broader goal of providing holistic health coverage. In terms of the other options, preventative health care focuses mainly on services designed to prevent illnesses before they occur, surgical expense benefits pertain to costs associated with surgical procedures, and rehabilitative and habilitative therapy are more about recovery and improvement in function following an illness or injury rather than addressing ongoing mental health and substance use challenges.