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BULLETIN

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Supplement to August 1, 2011 Advertise  |  Unsubscribe  |  Past Issues  |  Search

BULLETIN

Supplement to August 1, 2011

[Official Guidance]
Text of Required Health Plan Coverage Guidelines for Women's Preventive Services
"These guidelines are effective August 1, 2011. Accordingly, non-grandfathered plans and issuers are required to provide coverage without cost sharing consistent with these guidelines in the first plan year (in the individual market, policy year) that begins on or after August 1, 2012." (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)

[Official Guidance]
HHS 'Fact Sheet': Affordable Care Act Rules on Expanding Access to Preventive Services for Women
"On August 1, 2011, the [HHS] adopted additional Guidelines for Women's Preventive Services—including well-woman visits, support for breastfeeding equipment, contraception, and domestic violence screening—that will be covered without cost sharing in new health plans starting in August 2012. The guidelines were recommended by the independent Institute of Medicine (IOM) and based on scientific evidence." (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)

Insurance Coverage for Contraception Is Required
"The new standards require coverage of the full range of contraceptive methods approved by the Food and Drug Administration, as well as sterilization procedures. Among the drugs and devices that must be covered are emergency contraceptives including pills known as ella and Plan B." (New York Times; free registration required)

HHS OKs Birth Control with No Co-Pay
"The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced new guidelines in Washington Monday requiring health insurance plans beginning on or after August 1, 2012 to cover several women's preventive services, including birth control and voluntary sterilization. . . . Besides contraceptive use, the list includes screenings for conditions such as gestational diabetes and the human papillomavirus (HPV), as well as breastfeeding support and counseling on sexually transmitted diseases." (CNN)

Sibelius: Not Covering Birth Control Drugs Would Be Like Not Covering Flu Shots
Link to Associated Press coverage of today's release of women's preventive healthcare services rules by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, including comments by HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. (AP via The Houston Chronicle)

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