Health advocates are praising portions of the federal health care law overhaul affecting women's health that begin today.
Women who renew their health plans starting today will receive coverage for services such as counseling for sexually transmitted diseases and screening and counseling for domestic violence victims. However, because the change only applies to new or renewed plans, it will take a couple of years for all women to see the change.
"Insurance companies will have to begin covering women's preventative health services without extra charges like copays and deductibles," said Rebecca Foley, Public Policy Director of Women's Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania. "As new plan years begin, more and more women will gain access to this affordable, preventative health care provision."
Cheaper services will also include screenings of pregnant women for gestational diabetes and federally approved birth contraception.
Gwen, a grad student at University of Pennsylvania who only used her first name on a conference call arranged by the Pennsylvania Health Access Network, said she takes oral contraception to minimize the symptoms caused by a medical condition. She said the $80 co-pay has prompted her to at times forego refilling her prescription.
"I resorted to taking my oral contraception pill every other day to stretch a monthly pill pack just a bit more," said Gwen. "Since I take the pill for a medical condition, this meant some relief from my symptoms, but I have to say that my symptoms were far better managed when I was taking the pill every day."
Naima Black, with the Maternity Care Coalition of North Philadelphia, said lower costs for breastfeeding counseling and equipment (like breast pumps) will be a boon to working mothers.
"I can tell you that this new provision will be just monumental in supporting moms to reach their breastfeeding goals and increasing access and information so they can make a choice that in the past has not been an easy choice for them," said Black.
Foley said a similar measure went into effect in August of 2010 for other preventive services such as blood pressure exams, mammograms, colonoscopies and other cancer screenings. She added that the state Department of Insurance is taking complaints on its website about lags in adherence to the new policy by doctor's offices and insurers.
