Women's Preventive Health Services: One Silver Lining to the Affordable Care Act

Insurance changes, high deductibles, and faulty marketplace applicability are just a few of the burdensome changes invoked as a result of the ACA.  Despite the many changes we’re sure to see in our insurance plans in 2014, keep in mind that many of the currently available Preventive Health screenings will, not only continue to be available, but importantly, will be covered at ‘No Cost’ to you (meaning no deductible applied, nor any co-pay,) as a result of the ACA mandates.  Annual Pap smear screenings, mammograms, contraception, and vaccinations will be covered by most insurance plans as a “No-fee Preventative benefit”, even if you participate in a high deductible plan. 

Whether you find yourself needing to purchase insurance on the marketplace, or not, it’s possible that you may find changes in your current insurance coverage, such as the institution of higher deductibles.  Studies show that participants of high deductible plans are less likely to utilize health services, even those services that are covered at ‘no cost’.  This is probably because the financial burden of the higher deductibles ‘scare’ people away from obtaining health care services, even those services that are free.

Other recent studies show that fewer than 50% of women 18 to 45 know that the Affordable Care Act requires health insurance plans to provide free contraceptive options to women seeking birth control methods (including birth control pills, IUDs, and sterilizations.)  Further, women no longer need a referral to see a Gynecologist. Maternity care is provided, as well as counseling and resources for breastfeeding.  STD screening, counseling and resources for depression and domestic violence are also provided as preventive health services, and at no cost to you.

According to the U.S. Department of Health’s Health Resources and Services Administration, “Preventive services that have strong scientific evidence of their health benefits must be covered and plans can no longer charge a patient a copayment, coinsurance or deductible for these services when they are delivered by a network provider.”  Below is a list of covered preventive health services available for women:

* Annual Well-Woman visit

* Gynecologist visit, without referral

* Annual Mammogram

* Annual Pap Smear screening/HPV testing/STD screening

* Contraceptive methods and counseling

* Breastfeeding support, supplies, and counseling

* Maternity care

* Domestic Violence screening and counseling

Don’t allow the hassles and the unknowns of our current state of insurance change cause you to default on following through with your own Preventative Health screenings.  Be aware of what your current plan does cover for you, and take advantage of the Preventive Health services that are available to you at ‘No Cost’.  Contact your doctor’s office to assist you in navigating these changes, and to schedule your yearly Pap smear, mammogram, or preventive health exam.

Suzanne Hall, MD (@drsuzyyhall)

Ob/Gyn Physician at Eastside Gynecology Obstetrics, PC

Offices located in Macomb, Rochester, Roseville, and Grosse Pointe

Women's Health Medical Blogger at GynoGroupie.com

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