Health Care Reform Update: Free preventive services begin August 1
While many key aspects of Health Care reform are already in place, other components of the law are being phased in more slowly. On August 1st, a provision of the Affordable Care Act kicks in that requires new insurance plans (plans that begin on or after August 1st) to cover a wide range of preventive services for women without a copay. Services such as birth control, well-woman visits, HPV testing, breastfeeding supplies, and domestic violence counseling (among others) will be free through a majority of new plans.
What does this mean for you?
• If you enroll in a new health insurance plan on or after August 1st, you should have access to these free preventive services under that plan.
• If you are already covered by an insurance plan, you may have to wait until your next "plan year" starts (you can determine when this is by calling your insurance company).
• If you have insurance through a religious institution, or as part of a group plan through a religiously-affiliated organization, your insurance company may not be required to cover these services.
Of course, the only way to be sure that these preventive services are completely covered under your plan is by contacting your insurance company itself and asking. A detailed breakdown of the newly-covered preventive services can be found here:
http://www.hrsa.gov/womensguidelines/
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