The Affordable Care Act requires group health plans to cover certain preventive services without cost-sharing. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services updated guidance on the preventive services that must be covered relating to women’s health. Plans must cover the new preventive services no later than the first plan year beginning on year after December 30, 2021 (January 1, 2023 for calendar year plans).
The new services that are considered preventive and covered without cost sharing include
- Breastfeeding Services and Supplies;
- Contraception;
- Screening for HIV Infection;
- Counseling for Sexually Transmitted Infections;
- Well-Woman Preventive Visits; and
- Counseling for Preventing Obesity in Midlife Women.
Group health plans should review their plan structure to confirm coverage for these services without cost sharing.
The Health Resources & Services Administration has useful information about Women’s Preventive Services which may be accessed by clicking here.
