Monday, July 16, 2012

PPACA New Rules for Women's Preventative Care

The new requirements for women’s preventative services are listed below.
  •  Well-woman visits
  •  Screening for gestational diabetes
  • Testing for human papillomavirus (HPV)
  •  Counseling for sexually transmitted infections
  • Screening and counseling for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
  •            FDA-approved contraception methods and contraceptive counseling
  • Breastfeeding support, supplies and counseling
  •        Screening and counseling for interpersonal and domestic violence  

For some people these benefits are not that different from what they already had.  For others, these benefits are very different.  Remember these benefits are to be provided at “no cost sharing” for the subscriber.  There are some exceptions (we will discuss religious exemptions at a later time) though.  Contraceptive benefits are for prescriptions only.  Over the counter contraceptives are not covered under this ruling.  As for prescriptions, the generic form is covered as well as the brand if no generic is available.  If a generic is available and the patient wants the brand name then they would have to pay a co-pay.

So when do these benefits start?  As with everything attached to the PPACA it depends.  If you are under an old “grandfathered plan” (either individual or group) than these rules and added benefits do not apply to you.  If you have group coverage through an employer it must start the first plan year after August 1, 2012.  If you have an existing individual plan benefits must be expanded no later than January 1, 2013.  For new individual plans the benefits start August 1, 2012.

You should be receiving information from your carrier if you will be getting these extra benefits.  If you have an older plan and would like to see about changing plans to now get these benefits you can check out our website and see if the cost savings would make sense for you.  Our website can be found at www.ansainsuranceservices.com or you can contact Lisa Boyajian or Angela Gambino at 714-680-5900.

No comments:

Post a Comment