What is required regarding essential benefits on health policies purchased through the Federal Marketplace?

Health policies purchased through the Federal Marketplace are required to cover essential health benefits without imposing annual or lifetime limits on those benefits. This requirement is a fundamental aspect of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which aims to ensure that all individuals have access to comprehensive health care services.

By eliminating annual and lifetime limits, the ACA helps protect consumers from the financial burden of catastrophic health care costs, ensuring that once individuals are covered, they can receive necessary care without the worry of reaching a cap that could leave them financially vulnerable. This provision reinforces the principle that health care should be accessible and sustainable for all individuals, which is crucial in promoting public health and wellness overall.

The other choices reflect incorrect ideas about essential benefits in health policies: having limits would undermine the protection the ACA intends to provide, and preventive services alone would not meet the comprehensive requirements necessary for essential health benefits. Additionally, making essential benefits optional based on policy type would contradict the standardized protections designed to ensure all consumers receive a minimum level of coverage.