On Monday, July 19, the Federal Register published interim final regulations from the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and the Treasury requiring new health plans beginning on or after September 23, 2010, to cover certain evidence-based preventive care without cost sharing. In other words, plans cannot charge patients copayments, coinsurance, or deductibles for such services (if a network provider supplies the services). However, the preventive care requirements do not apply to grandfathered plans.
The regulations are designed to implement the preventive health services requirements under the massive health care reform legislation (the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act) that became law in March. These regulations are the latest part of a series of rules the administration has issued to implement various provisions of health care reform.
In a news release, the departments noted that the new regulations would help give Americans easier access to preventive care. The preventive care services addressed by the regulations include:
- routine vaccinations;
- blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol screenings;
- cancer screenings (such as breast and colon cancer screenings);
- prenatal care;
- regular wellness visits for babies and children; and
- counseling from health care providers on issues such as quitting smoking, losing weight, eating better, treating depression, and reducing the use of alcohol.
The regulations were published in the Federal Register on July 19 and are effective September 17, 2010. Comments on the regulations are also due on or before September 17.
Learn more about how health care reform and what your organization needs to do with Benefits Complete Compliance.