What is a Benefit Year for Health Insurance?
A benefit year is a 12-month period during which an insured individual can use their health insurance benefits. It typically begins on the date the insurance policy is effective and ends 12 months later. For instance, if a health insurance policy’s effective date is July 1, 2023, the benefit year would run from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024.
The benefit year is important because it determines how much coverage an individual has for certain services. For example, some health insurance plans have annual limits on benefits, which means the insurance company will only pay a certain amount for covered services during the benefit year.
One key historical development related to the benefit year is the introduction of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010. The ACA prohibits annual and lifetime limits on essential health benefits, which means insurance companies can no longer limit the amount they will pay for covered services during a benefit year or over a lifetime.
This article will further explore the concept of a benefit year, including its relevance, benefits, and the impact of the ACA on annual and lifetime limits.