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7/19/2010
Administration Unveils Rules on No-Cost Preventive Services

Administration Unveils Rules on No-Cost Preventive Services
On July 14, the Obama administration unveiled new rules requiring health insurers to provide several kinds of preventive services, such as screenings and laboratory tests, without cost-sharing by patients. The requirements—created under the federal health reform law—will eliminate co-payments, deductibles and other out-of-pocket charges for tests and screenings recommended by various government advisory bodies. New health plans that begin coverage after Sept. 23 and existing health plans that make changes after that date will be required to follow the rules, which the administration said could increase premiums by an average of 1.5%.

Under the rules, insurers will be required to cover cancer screenings, routine vaccinations, prenatal care, and wellness visits for infants and children without cost-sharing by patients. They also will be required to cover smoking-cessation and obesity counseling, as well as testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.