1. Essential Health Benefits Benchmark Plan Selection, as of October 2012FL NC SC GA LA TX AL AR KS OK AZ TN MS NV UT NM CA WY ID WA OR ND SD
NE* MT MO IN
MI** WI IL ME OH KY HI AK PA WV VA CT NJ DE
MD*** RI NH VT DC MA CO IA NY MN
State selected a small group plan as its benchmark plan
State selected a state employee benefit plan as its benchmark plan
State selected the largest commercial HMO plan as its benchmark plan
State did not select a benchmark plan****
*Nebraska selected a unique “Nebraska Option” as its benchmark plan. This plan was not among the ten plan options outlined in federal guidance.
**Michigan selected a benchmark plan that is one of its largest small group plans and also the state’s largest commercial HMO plan.
***Maryland originally selected a state employee benefit plan but later switched to a small group plan during the HHS rulemaking process.
****States that did not select a benchmark plan will have the largest small group plan in their state as their default essential health benefits plan.
Source: Authors’ analysis. 1