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Under the Affordable Care Act, group health plans are required to cover certain preventative services for women, including annual visits, breastfeeding services, contraception, etc. The Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration recently updated their guidelines to expand the services covered.
Preventing Obesity in Midlife Women is the newest service to be added. The guidelines recommend counseling for midlife women (aged 40-60 years) to maintain or limit weight gain to prevent obesity.
The other five services received some revisions.
- Well-woman Preventive Visits. At least one preventative care visit a year starting in adolescence.
- Access to the full range of contraceptives and contraceptive care.
- Breastfeeding Services and Supplies. Comprehensive lactation support services as well as breastfeeding equipment and supplies.
- Counseling for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). Behavioral counseling for sexually active women who are at an increased risk for STIs.
- Screening for HIV Infection. HIV screening tests at least once in their lifetime or additional screening based on risk.
The updated women’s preventative services guidelines apply for plan years beginning in 2023. Download the bulletin for more details.
