Which of the following options is considered direct-care only and does not constitute minimal essential coverage under the ACA?

The answer pertains to TRICARE Plus, which is a program designed to provide additional healthcare access for certain beneficiaries, particularly those enrolled in a specific military treatment facility (MTF) that offers primary care services. Direct-care refers specifically to care that is provided directly by MTF staff and does not extend coverage to other forms of insurance or care that are necessary to meet the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) requirements for minimal essential coverage.

TRICARE Plus does not offer the comprehensive benefits associated with typical insurance plans and does not allow for referrals to non-MTF providers, which is a necessity for meeting the ACA's minimal essential coverage criteria. Other TRICARE options, such as TRICARE Select, TRICARE Reserve Select, and TRICARE Prime, provide a broader range of services, potentially including network coverage and comprehensive provider options, which satisfy the ACA mandates. This distinction underscores why TRICARE Plus is categorized differently in this context with respect to ACA compliance; it serves primarily as a supplemental access option without the mandated breadth of coverage needed to qualify as minimal essential coverage.