Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC) Plans
MEC Plans: A Strategic Compliance Tool with Big Impact
As a broker, your role is more than just matching clients with coverage—it’s about delivering smart, scalable solutions that support compliance and workforce well-being. Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC) plans offer a practical and affordable way for employers to meet ACA requirements while delivering meaningful value to their employees.
MEC plans cover 100% of preventive services as defined by the Affordable Care Act, such as annual physicals, immunizations, and screenings. While they don’t include major medical, they serve as a cost-effective foundation that keeps employers compliant and employees connected to essential healthcare services.
MEC plan options can be adapted to suit different business needs:
- Standard MEC Plans: Provide ACA-required preventive services to keep employees engaged in their health and employers protected from costly penalties.
- MEC Plus Plans: Include additional non-preventive care benefits like telehealth, generic prescriptions, or limited outpatient services—offering more value without the price tag of full medical plans.
- Integrated MEC + Supplemental Strategies: When paired with HRAs, gap plans, or indemnity products, MEC becomes part of a broader, creative benefits offering that controls cost and enhances coverage.
By offering MEC plans, your clients can reduce their exposure to Employer Shared Responsibility Penalties (ESRP), especially for applicable large employers (ALEs), while keeping healthcare spend predictable and budget-friendly.
Help your clients stay compliant, cost-conscious, and competitive. MEC plans are more than a minimum—they’re a powerful tool in your benefits strategy toolbox. Position yourself as a trusted partner by introducing these plans as a foundation for long-term success.