What distinguishes supplemental benefits offered by employers, like EAPs, from core EHB coverage?

Answer

These value-add benefits are often not strictly required by federal law but are offered by companies to attract and retain talent.

While most employer-sponsored health plans must adhere to ACA rules regarding the coverage of the ten Essential Health Benefits (EHBs), many employers enhance their compensation packages by offering supplemental or 'value-add' benefits that go above and beyond these legal minimums. Programs like Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), telemedicine access, or assistance with student loan repayment are strategic offerings designed to make the job offer more attractive and improve employee well-being and retention. These perks are distinct from the core medical coverage mandated by federal regulation; they represent additional, often employer-funded, services that fall outside the strict definition of EHBs but are still bundled into the overall health insurance benefit provided to the employee.

What distinguishes supplemental benefits offered by employers, like EAPs, from core EHB coverage?

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