Important Shift in Women’s Health Benefits This Week

Major changes in women’s health benefits under the Affordable Care Act  kick in on Wednesday, August 1 – many without cost sharing.

As of Wednesday, Covered Preventive Services for Women, including pregnant women include: 

• Anemia screening on a routine basis for pregnant women
• Bacteriuria urinary tract or other infection screening for pregnant women
• BRCA counseling about genetic testing for women at higher risk
• Breast Cancer Mammography screenings every 1 to 2 years for women over 40
• Breast Cancer Chemoprevention counseling for women at higher risk
• Breastfeeding comprehensive support and counseling from trained providers, as well as access to breastfeeding supplies, for pregnant and nursing women*
• Cervical Cancer screening for sexually active women
• Chlamydia Infection screening for younger women and other women at higher risk
• Contraception: Food and Drug Administration-approved contraceptive methods, sterilization procedures, and patient education and counseling, not including abortifacient drugs*
• Domestic and interpersonal violence screening and counseling for all women*
• Folic Acid supplements for women who may become pregnant
• Gestational diabetes screening for women 24 to 28 weeks pregnant and those at high risk of developing gestational diabetes*
• Gonorrhea screening for all women at higher risk
• Hepatitis B screening for pregnant women at their first prenatal visit
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) screening and counseling for sexually active women*
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV) DNA Test: high risk HPV DNA testing every three years for women with normal cytology results who are 30 or older*
• Osteoporosis screening for women over age 60 depending on risk factors
• Rh Incompatibility screening for all pregnant women and follow-up testing for women at higher risk
• Tobacco Use screening and interventions for all women, and expanded counseling for pregnant tobacco users
• Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) counseling for sexually active women*
• Syphilis screening for all pregnant women or other women at increased risk
• Well-woman visits to obtain recommended preventive services for women under 65*

Note: Services marked with an asterisk ( * ) must be covered with no cost-sharing in plan years starting on or after August 1, 2012. See Affordable Care Act Rules on Expanding Access to Preventive Services for Women

You can also check the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for a breakout of the specific coverage guidelines.

Many women’s organizations, including  Raising Women’s Voices, the National Women’s Health Network, the National Women’s Law Center, HERvotes were instrumental in making sure these services were included in the new law.

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and other key contributors to the legislation plan a press conference on Tuesday to speak on these important changes. The Human Factor will bring you the latest details then!