Kidney failure that requires dialysis treatments or a kidney transplant; patients with ESRD qualify for Medicare regardless of age.

Programs for people who have a federal right to benefits if eligibility criteria is met. Changes to the eligibility for these programs must be done through legislation and enrollment cannot be capped. Unlike discretionary funds, the federal government is required to spend the necessary funds for these programs

Refers to a period of illness, a hospital stay, or the duration of treatment for one condition.

Refers to a single price for all of the services needed by a patient for an entire episode of care.

The Affordable Care Act requires that health plans on the individual and small group market, including all plans sold on the exchanges, contain a package of items and services. Required care services include: emergency services, ambulatory patient services, maternity care, pediatric care, mental health care, laboratory services, prescription drugs, and others.

Forms required by many insurance providers that proves an applicant meets requirements for insurance.

Benefits not offered by a specific health plan.

The Affordable Care Act prohibits excessive waiting periods for employer-sponsored insurance coverage, defined as waiting periods over 90 days. In other words, an employer cannot make an employee wait more than 90 days for their insurance coverage to begin.

Employers allowed to purchase employee coverage through state health care exchanges.

Individuals allowed to purchase coverage through state health care exchanges.