HB 526

Abstract

Coverage for reproductive health services. Requireshealth benefit plans to cover the costs of specified health care services,drugs, devices, products, and procedures related to reproductive health,including (i) well-woman preventive visits; (ii) counseling for sexuallytransmitted infections; (iii) screening for certain conditions; (iv) folic acidsupplements; (v) breastfeeding support, counseling, and supplies; (vi) breastcancer chemoprevention counseling; (vii) contraceptive drugs, devices, orproducts; (viii) voluntary sterilization; and (ix) any additional preventiveservices for women that must be covered without cost sharing under federal lawas of January 1, 2019. The mandated coverage does not include abortion servicesother than when performed when the life of the mother is endangered by aphysical disorder, physical illness, or physical injury, including alife-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancyitself, or when the pregnancy is the result of an alleged act of rape orincest. The measure provides an exemption for plans sold to religiousemployers. Carriers are prohibited from excluding a covered person fromparticipating in, being denied the benefits of, or otherwise being subjected todiscrimination in the coverage of or payment for reproductive health services,and a violation constitutes an unfair trade practice. The health benefit planrequirements become effective when a plan is delivered, issued for delivery, reissued,or extended in the Commonwealth on and after January 1, 2021, or at any timethereafter when any term of the health benefit plan is changed or any premiumadjustment is made.