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ACA Non-Discrimination Rules

Meaning

Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act Non-Discrimination Rules prohibits covered entities from denying access to healthcare or health coverage based on race, national origin, age, disability, or sex, which includes gender identity and sex stereotyping. This legal framework ensures that health plans cannot issue a blanket exclusion for medically necessary services, such as hormone therapy, if similar services are covered for other conditions. It is a vital regulatory mechanism designed to promote equitable access to a full spectrum of clinical care across diverse patient populations.