The ACA: implemented coverage standards that prevent insurers from discriminating against applicants – or charging them higher plan premiums – based on pre-existing conditions or gender; eliminated waiting periods that employer-sponsored plans would impose before starting coverage of pre-existing conditions; made health policies guaranteed issue – meaning health coverage is guaranteed to be issued to applicants regardless of their health status, age or income; mandated minimum-value standards for employer-sponsored plans offered by large employers; rescued ACA-compliant plan buyers from lifetime benefit limits and annual benefit limits; improved plan benefits by requiring ACA-compliant plans to include essential health benefits; required ACA-compliant plans to include a long list of free preventive health care services.