Preventive Care Hot Topics & FAQs

• New Preventive Care Services

  Answer: On August 1, 2011, federal agencies added additional preventive care services that must be covered by non-grandfathered plans for plan years beginning on or after August 1, 2012. The list of services initially specified is available here. The newly added services include the following:

  • Well woman visits
  • Screenings for gestational diabetes
  • Human papillomavirus testing
  • Counseling for sexually transmitted infections
  • Counseling and screening for human immune-deficiency virus
  • Contraceptive methods and counseling
  • Breast feeding support, supplies, and counseling
  • Screening and counseling for interpersonal and domestic violence

  The most up-to-date list is available at www.healthcare.gov.

   

• Does the plan have to cover these preventive care services if delivered by out-of-network providers?

  Answer: No. Plans that offer out-of-network benefits are not required to cover these preventive services if delivered by out-of-network providers. Alternatively, the employer may choose to impose cost-sharing if the service is delivered by an out-of-network provider.

• If an issue is discovered during a preventive screening, does the treatment have to be provided without cost-sharing?

  Answer: No. The plan may impose cost-sharing requirements on treatment services, even those that are delivered as part of an appointment that was initially scheduled for a preventive service.

• If the preventive service is provided during an office visit, may a copay be charged for the visit?

  Answer: It depends. The interim final regulations clarify when cost-sharing may be imposed in connection with a preventive service provided during an office visit.

  • If a preventive service is billed separately from the office visit, the plan may impose cost-sharing for the office visit.
  • If the preventive service is not billed separately from an office visit and the primary purpose of the office visit is the delivery of the preventive service, then the plan may not impose cost-sharing for the office visit.
  • If the preventive service is not billed separately from an office visit and the primary purpose of the office visit is not the delivery of the preventive service, the plan may impose cost-sharing for the office visit.

  The regulations include a number of examples illustrating these rules.

• Additional Resources

  • Required Preventive Care

    Complete list of preventive care services that must be covered.