New Women's Preventive Services

Recently it was announced that the Affordable Care Act has been expanded to include additional prevention coverage for women's health and well being. Under the act, originally signed into law in March 2010, it is required that health plans cover preventive services without cost share, such as copays or coinsurance, when going to an in network provider. Coverage included preventive services like mammograms, colonoscopies, and immunizations.

On August 1, 2011, the Affordable Care Act was expanded to include well-woman visits, screening for gestational daibetes, HPV testing, counseling for STIs, counseling and screening for HIV, contraceptive methods and counseling (except when group exclusions apply), breast feeding support/counseling and supplies, and screening and counseling for interpersonal and domestic violence. For an outline of the guidelines, check out the US Department of Health and Human Services site.

Please note that these guideline are effective August 1, 2011, but non-grandfathered plan and issuers are not required to provider coverage without cost sharing consistent with the guidelines of the act until the first plan year that begins on or after August 1, 2012. As always, it is beneficial to contact your member services line with your insurance carrier to verify what all is covered (and how it will pay!) under your benefit plan.