IOM Recommendations Adopted with Exceptions for Religious Institutions

Today, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released an interim final rule adopting the Institute of Medicine's (IOM) recommendations for preventive health services for women in full with one exception - religious institutions providing insurance coverage to their employees will be allowed to exclude contraceptive coverage in their health insurance plans.

Despite the exception for religious institutions, the HHS' action is a groundbreaking victory for women’s health.

Starting August 1, 2012, the following eight services will be covered by commercial health insurance without co-pays or deductibles in all health plans:

• Contraceptive methods and counseling to prevent unintended pregnancies
• Yearly well-woman preventive care visits to obtain recommended preventive services
• Screening for gestational diabetes
• Human papillomavirus (HPV) testing as part of cervical cancer screening for women over 30
• Counseling for sexually transmitted infections for sexually active women
• Counseling and screening for HIV for sexually active women
• Lactation counseling and equipment to promote breast-feeding

Click here to access the interim final rule.

California Family Health Council will be working with our partners to analyze the impact the recommendations may have on our network of delegate agencies and the more than 1 million patients they serve every year. If you have any questions, please Amy Moy at moya@cfhc.org or 415.518.4465.