Despite the derisive debates surrounding ObamaCare, there are some good changes that have been mandated for those seeking health insurance on their own. In 2014, all new plans offered are required to cover a set of "essential health benefits," some at no cost to the enrollee.
 
These "essential health benefits" include the following:
 
·      Outpatient care
·      Emergency care
·      Hospitalization
·      Maternity and newborn care
·      Mental-health services and addiction treatment
·      Prescription drugs
·      Rehabilitative services and devices
·      Laboratory
·      Preventive healthcare
·      Pediatric services
 
One of the major changes noted is the mandatory coverage for pregnancy, labor, and delivery. An individual plan purchased prior to 2014 would typically exclude such coverage. Mental health and/or substance abuse coverage will be an added benefit for anyone enrolling in any of the approved plans in 2014.
 
Preventive care benefits include flu shots, colonoscopy screenings and polyp removal, mammograms, autism screening and vision testing for children, a host of contraceptive methods, breast pumps and lactation support for nursing mothers and over-the-counter products that are prescribed by a health-care provider.
 
One cannot be sure how "affordable" these additional benefits will be, but it does establish a framework for expected minimum standards.