How to find evidence-based, peer-reviewed articles on Essential Health Benefits

1. Identify and access key academic database (e.g., Academic Search Premier, CINAHL Ultimate, JSTOR).
2. Search terms: Use targeted keywords that identify what you need.
   Search example: Essential Health Benefits AND healthcare costs AND impact
3. Use Boolean searching.

   Boolean logic is a system that uses operators like AND, OR, and NOT to refine a search.
   For example, using AND between terms narrows the search to include only results that contain all the specific terms. In contrast, using OR in a search broadens the search to include results with any of the terms. When you want to add words of similar meaning or synonyms, use OR. NOT excludes results containing the specified term.

   

4. Filter results: Limit to peer-reviewed articles, evidence-based, publication year, etc., as required for the assignment.
5. Evaluate sources: Check methodology, journal impact factor to ensure credibility of sources, check citations; insights from peer-reviewed articles on EHB and premiums; how selected variables are affected by ACA regulations; positive and negative effects
6. Record findings: Save citation references and summarize key points.

The databases below are suggested resources to assist in finding evidence-based, peer-reviewed articles on Essential Health Benefits (EHBs) and the impact of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on healthcare premiums.

Search for and choose articles that include the implementation and effects of EHBs, changes in healthcare premiums after ACA, orcomparative studies that show data on premiums. Focus some searches on specific variables (e.g., pre-existing conditions, preventing disease and illness, young adult coverage, individual mandate).

Use relevant search terms.
Examples:

affordable care act AND essential health benefits
EHB AND premium cost AND post ACA
EHB AND healthcare premiums AND impact*
healthcare premiums AND (affordable care act OR ACA) AND analysis
affordable care act AND healthcare premiums AND impact
essential health benefits AND insurance costs AND (effect* OR impact*)
ACA marketplace insurance premiums
pre-existing conditions AND ACA impact
"healthcare premiums"
"insurance plan" AND coverage

Use search terms from the Essential Health Benefits

1. Ambulatory patient services - outpatient care without being admitted to a hospital
2. Emergency services - care for emergency conditions without needing prior approval from insurance company
3. Hospitalization - inpatient care, surgery, overnight stays in the hospital
4. Maternity & newborn care - during pregnancy, childbirth; care of a newborn baby
5. Mental health & substance use disorder services - behavioral health treatment, psychotherapy, and counseling
6. Prescription drugs
7. Rehabilitative & habilitative services & devices - help with injuries, disabilities, chronic conditions (e.g., physical therapy, occupational therapy)
8. Lab services - diagnostic tests, preventative screening
9. Preventive & wellness services and chronic disease management without co-payments or deductibles - Includes routine physicals, immunizations, screenings, wellness programs for preventing illness or managing chronic conditions
   Under ACA, insurance companies cannot refuse coverage or charge higher premiums based on any pre-existing condition
10. Pediatric services - healthcare for children, including vision and oral care

Try a variety of searches using relevant search terms.
Examples:

• pre-existing conditions AND (coverage OR access) AND higher premiums
• pre-existing conditions AND (coverage OR access) AND affordable healthcare act
• affordable healthcare act and impact on healthcare
• affordable care act AND essential health benefits AND impact on healthcare
• pre-existing conditions AND (coverage OR access) AND affordable healthcare act AND (effect* OR impact*)
• affordable healthcare act AND "young adult" AND coverage AND (effect* or impact*)
• EHB AND premium cost AND post ACA