The Affordable Care Act and Employer Coverage for Contraceptive Services

The Affordable Care Act and Employer Coverage for Contraceptive Services
—

Introduction
The Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, has significantly expanded health insurance coverage in the United States, including access to contraceptive services. However, some employers, including religious institutions, are exempt from certain ACA requirements. This can lead to confusion and uncertainty about contraceptive coverage.

—
ACA and Contraceptive Coverage
The ACA requires most health insurance plans to cover a wide range of preventive services, including contraceptive services, without cost-sharing. This means that individuals with ACA-compliant health insurance plans should not have to pay a copayment, deductible, orcoinsurance for contraceptive services.

—
Employer Exemptions
While the ACA generally requires employers to provide contraceptive coverage, there are some exemptions for religious institutions. Religious employers are exempt from providing contraceptive coverage if they have sincerely-held religious objections to doing so. They are also not required to provide an alternative to contraceptive coverage, such as a rebate card or reimbursement.

—
Religious Employer’s Obligations
If an employer is exempt from providing contraceptive coverage due to religious objections, they must still provide employees with a notice that explains their exemption. This notice must include information about how employees can access contraceptive services through other means, such as through their own health insurance plan or through a third-party provider.

—
Employee’s Rights
If you are employed by a religious institution that does not provide contraceptive coverage, you have several options for obtaining contraceptive services:

Enroll in your own health insurance plan: You can enroll in a health insurance plan that provides contraceptive coverage.
Use a third-party provider: You can obtain contraceptive services from a third-party provider, such as a Planned Parenthood clinic.
File a complaint: You can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services if you believe your employer is not complying with the ACA’s contraceptive coverage requirements.

It’s important to remember that even if your employer is exempt from providing contraceptive coverage, you still have the right to access these services. By understanding your rights and the options available to you, you can ensure that you have access to the contraceptive services you need.