Aug 12, 2022
The HHS Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) issued updated preventive services guidelines for women, which it approved on December 30, 2021. (87 Fed. Reg. 1763). The requirements are effective for plan years beginning on or after December 30, 2022.
It is important to note that the guidelines are based on recommendations by the Women’s Preventive Services Initiative.
Non-grandfathered plans and insurers must cover the following benefits without cost-sharing to individuals:
- Contraception – Adolescent and adult women have access to a full range of contraceptives and contraceptive care. This includes the full range of FDA-approved, granted, or cleared contraceptives
- Breastfeeding – Comprehensive lactation support services including consultation, counseling, and education by clinicians and peer support services, as well as breastfeeding equipment and supplies. These benefits should be provided during the antenatal, perinatal, and postpartum periods
- HIV Screening – Ages 15 and older to receive an HIV screening test at least once during their lifetime
- Counseling for Sexually Transmitted Infections – Behavioral counseling by a health care clinician or an appropriately trained individual. This would be for adolescent and adult women who have an increased risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- Obesity Prevention in Midlife – Counseling for women 40 to 60 with normal or overweight body mass index (BMI)
