Federal government tells health insurance plans to provide free birth control

John Egan

Health insurance plans must provide FDA-approved birth control to women without charging co-pays, co-insurance or deductibles under rules announced Aug. 1 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The new rules take effect Aug. 1, 2012. The rules allow religious institutions that offer health insurance to their employees to opt out of birth control coverage.

The new rules also call for other women’s health services to be provided without co-pays, co-insurance or deductibles:

• “Well woman” visits.

• Screening for pregnancy-related diabetes.

• Testing for the human papillomavirus (HPV) for women age 30 and older.

• Counseling about sexually transmitted infections.

• HIV screening and counseling.

• Breastfeeding support, supplies and counseling.

• Domestic violence screening and counseling.

The rules were developed by the nonprofit Institute of Medicine as part of the federal health care reform law.

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says: “These historic guidelines are based on science and existing literature and will help ensure women get the preventive health benefits they need.”

When the Institute of Medicine released its women’s health recommendations in July, groups like the Planned Parenthood Federation of America hailed them as a historic step for women. Meanwhile, groups like the Family Research Council denounced them as violating the “conscience rights” of millions of Americans.