What does the term "grandfathered plan" mean under ACA?

The term "grandfathered plan" refers to a health insurance plan that was in existence before the Affordable Care Act was enacted on March 23, 2010. Plans that are designated as grandfathered are exempt from certain ACA provisions, allowing them to maintain some of the benefits and restrictions that were in place prior to the law's implementation. This includes aspects like not having to cover certain preventive services without cost-sharing or adhering to limits on annual and lifetime coverage caps.

This designation is significant because it provides a level of continuity for individuals who had insurance coverage prior to the ACA's introduction. It allows these plans to avoid some of the more stringent requirements imposed by the ACA, which was created to expand healthcare access and improve coverage quality.

The other options do not accurately describe the nature of grandfathered plans. For instance, a grandfathered plan is not one that was discontinued; instead, it is still active and provides coverage, albeit with some exemptions. Additionally, it is not a type of insurance that must follow all ACA regulations; rather, it is allowed to bypass certain rules established by the ACA. Finally, "grandfathered plan" does not pertain specifically to employees of large corporations, as it can apply to any eligible group or