August 3, 2011
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(Most) insured women won't have to pay extra for the pill. |
The Obama administration announced new guidelines yesterday that will require all insurance companies to cover yearly HIV testing and counseling for women at no additional cost.
The new rules -- part of a larger national push to save on health dollars by investing in female preventive care -- will knock down barriers that have stopped testing.
By 2013, women can also say goodbye to birth control co-pays at the drug store. The new guidelines mandate that nearly all private health insurance plans cover government-approved contraceptives for women at no extra charge.
There's an exception, of course: Health plans offered by some religious employers will be exempt from the requirement to cover contraceptive services.
"These guidelines will save countless dollars and lives," said Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), "and send a hugely powerful message about the importance of women's preventive health care."
Read more from the Department of Health and Human Services.