Affordable Care Act Now Requires Insurance Companies to Fully Cover More Preventive Care for Women

SPRINGFIELD – Women will have access to even more life-saving preventive care free of charge according to new rules under the federal Affordable Care Act.  According to a new report by the U.S. Health and Human Services, approximately 47 million women are in health plans that now must cover these new preventive services at no charge.  Under the Affordable Health Care Act, women, not insurance companies, can now make decisions that will keep them healthy, catch potentially serious conditions at an earlier state, and protect them and their families from crushing medical bills.

The new rules in the health care law requiring coverage of these services take effect on or after August 1 for most health insurance plans.  Learn more about the preventive care services, at www.healthcare.gov/prevention.

The eight new prevention-related services available under the Affordable Care Act to women at no charge are:

•Well-woman visits
•Gestational diabetes screening to protect pregnant women from one of the most serious pregnancy-related diseases
•Domestic and interpersonal violence screening and counseling
•FDA-approved contraceptive methods, and contraceptive education and counseling
•Breastfeeding support, supplies, and counseling
•HPV DNA testing, for women 30 or older
•Sexually transmitted infections counseling for sexually-active women
•HIV screening and counseling for sexually-active women

Illinois Department of Insurance Director Andrew Boron today announced the Department will communicate directly with insurance companies that submit filings for review about these new rules and other issues related to the Affordable Care Act (ACA.) 

“We’re pleased that more women will have access to preventive care services.  Since these services may not be immediately covered by their health coverage providers, we are looking to communicate directly with insurance carriers to get out the message and provide any necessary assistance,” said Director Boron.