Beginning in 2014, all non-grandfathered health insurance plans in the individual and small group markets will need to offer a comprehensive benefits package, referred to as essential health benefits. Although the health care reform law identifies 10 general categories of essential health benefits, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is responsible for defining the items and services that will make up essential health benefits. It was expected that HHS would release guidance identifying these items and services. However, HHS issued a bulletin on Dec. 16 that proposes to give each state the authority to select a benchmark plan that will establish the state's essential health benefits package.