What kind of coverage must group health plans offer under the Affordable Care Act?

The correct answer is that group health plans must offer essential health benefits under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This requirement was established to ensure that all individuals have access to a comprehensive range of healthcare services that are critical for maintaining health and well-being. Essential health benefits include a wide array of services such as emergency services, hospitalization, maternity and newborn care, mental health and substance use disorder services, prescription drugs, rehabilitative services, laboratory services, preventive and wellness services, and pediatric services, including oral and vision care.

By mandating these benefits, the ACA aims to protect consumers from inadequate coverage and reduce disparities in healthcare access. This requirement also helps to ensure that individuals do not face financial hardship due to high out-of-pocket costs for necessary medical services.

The other options do not meet the comprehensive standards set by the ACA. Catastrophic coverage primarily provides minimal coverage for worst-case scenarios and is not designed as a primary health insurance offering. Preventive-only services focus exclusively on preventive care, missing other critical healthcare needs. High-deductible plans may be offered, but they do not fulfill the requirement to cover the broad array of essential health benefits mandated by the ACA.