Virginia Preliminary Analysis of Essential Health Benefits, Benefit Mandates, and Benchmark Plans

This report describes the results of an analysis by consultants PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) for the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services and the Virginia Health Reform Initiative of the potential benchmark health benefit plans, using the bulletin released by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to determine the extent to which they provide coverage of the essential health benefits defined under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as well as their coverage of Virginia's mandated benefits. PwC was also asked to assess, to the extent possible with available data, the potential impact on premium rates of adding currently noncovered benefits that will be required under the definition of essential health benefits in Virginia.