State Health Insurance Laws

State laws that tell insurers what health coverage they have to offer are called state mandates. Some common examples include coverage for mammograms, alcohol and substance abuse, infant care, home health care, and infertility treatment. No two states impose the exact same set of mandates.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and related legislation heavily regulates the insurance industry, instituting benefit and coverage mandates. Generally, the Act mandates that by 2014, qualified health benefit plans offer at least an "essential health benefits package" as defined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

For more information about the coverage required, visit the government's health care website.

Click on your state on the map below to find out which coverages your state requires. The list you will see contains those coverages that must be included in a standard health policy.