How are pregnancy and birth control covered by new health plans?

Pregnancy will be covered on new individual and family health plans 

New plans must include coverage for pregnancy as part of the Essential Health Benefits coverage. You must enroll in an Affordable Care Act compliant plan with an effective date of January 1, 2014 or after.

If you are planning on keeping your current coverage and are interested in maternity coverage, it's a good idea to check your plan before making a final decision on new plan options.  

Covered contraceptive methods

New plans must also offer cover contraceptive methods and counseling for all women, as prescribed by a health care provider.

These plans must cover the services without charging a copayment, coinsurance, or deductible when they are provided by an in-network provider.

All Food and Drug Administration-approved contraceptive methods prescribed by a woman’s doctor are covered, including:

• Barrier methods (used during intercourse), like diaphragms and sponges
• Hormonal methods, like birth control pills and vaginal rings
• Implanted devices, like intrauterine devices (IUDs)
• Emergency contraception, like Plan B® and ella®
• Sterilization procedures
• Patient education and counseling

Plans aren’t required to cover:

• Drugs to induce abortions
• Services related to a man’s reproductive capacity, like vasectomies