On June 27, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) preventive care mandate, requiring health plans to continue covering all recommended preventive services at no cost to members (Kennedy v. Braidwood Management, Inc.).
ACA’s Preventative Care Mandate
The ACA requires non-grandfathered health plans to cover recommended preventive services at no cost when using in-network providers. The recommended preventive care services covered by these requirements are U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) A/B-rated preventive care, recommended immunizations, Health Resources and Services Administration supported screenings for all ages, and women's preventive health services.
Legal Dispute
A group of Texas plaintiffs challenged the ACA’s preventive care mandate, and a district court initially ruled in their favor. But higher courts limited this decision, so plans must still comply with the preventive care rules except for the specific plaintiffs involved.
The District Court found that ACA preventive care rules relying on USPSTF A or B ratings after March 23, 2010, were unconstitutional, arguing that USPSTF members were not properly appointed federal officers.
The 5th Circuit paused the district court’s order, so full ACA preventive care coverage continued while the appeal proceeded. The court agreed with the lower court on USPSTF appointments but limited relief to the plaintiffs only, not nationwide.
Impact of Supreme Court Ruling
The Supreme Court upheld the ACA’s preventive care mandate, confirming these coverage requirements are constitutional and must continue.
Due to the ruling, the ACA’s preventive care mandate remains fully in effect; plans must continue covering all recommended services at no cost. Download the bulletin for more details.
