Awhile back I received a $25 rebate from my insurance provider, BlueCross BlueShield, thanks to the Affordable Care Act. The check was in response to Obamacare’s new 80/20 rule where “insurance companies must spend at least 80 cents of your premium dollar on your health care or improvements to care”. Since my provider didn’t do that, I got some moola back (friends with fancier plans got more money back).
Shortly after my check, I received a letter from BlueCross BlueShield listing new changes that will affect my benefits.
Fearing I’d find a long list of benefits my provider would no longer be covering, I was surprised to discover the opposite.
As of August 1st, several women’s preventive benefits are available to the insured with no patient cost-sharing (no copayment, coinsurance or deductible).
That list includes:
Well-woman visits (yearly gynecological exam)
Mammograms
Screening for diabetes during pregnancy
HPV testing for women at least 30 years of age
Counseling for sexually transmitted infections
HIV screening and counseling
FDA-approved contraception methods, sterilization procedures and counseling (most over-the counter contraceptives including pills, foam, sponge, female condoms, IUDs, diaphragms, cervical caps and implants)
Breastfeeding support, supplies and counseling
Interpersonal relations and domestic violence screening and counseling
Here is a list of all 22 preventive services services covered.
This is really exciting news and benefits we should all take advantage of!
I know personally that I will be saving $400 or more a year with these changes (which for this writer is a lot!)
Do your research and learn what is available to you!
Your provider should have sent you a breakdown of benefits available to you, if not, you can read more at Healthcare.gov.
13 Comments
This is awesome, but I hope this doesn’t mean that I will have to wait a long time for an appointment. I am all about universal healthcare, (one could argue it is constitutional, if you were to interpret life = health) but it might mean that we have to be more patient.
I don’t think it will change much. Most women already get this stuff done- now they just won’t have to pay for it.
i was so excited when I read about this yesterday. they cover mammograms too? fantastic! love this new plan. and btw, since i switched plans mid year, i got two rebate checks totally almost $275!! SWEET!
Good for you! Yes, according to the research I did through the White House’s websites about this, mammograms are covered. I think it was already covered before yesterday’s new benefits.
That is amazing news! It would have come in handy a few years ago, though. I had an abnormal pap, three biopsies of my cervix, found out I had pre-cancerous cells, and then cryotherapy (when they freeze your cervix). My gynecologist’s nurse and I actually became friends because I was seeing them so often. Stuff like that adds up quickly! (Sorry for the over-share!)
So before August I was paying full price for my b.c. (nearly $100 every month). Then it went down to free. I was overjoyed and surprised. Well, that lasted a couple of months and then in October there was a $10 copay. I have Blue Shield. Any idea why? Should I get in touch with my insurance company?
Hi Mel. Hmmm…I have no idea why. Yes, I would call your insurance provider. I don’t have a copay on my medications right now (I have a very basic insurance plan), but Walgreens offers a deal where I get $10 off my bc a month. I pay $20 instead of $30. You might want to check into that as well.
HI! I just came across your article a little surprised since I have blue cross blue shield (through freelancers union) and they’ve told me that IUDs are NOT covered at all through them. Any insight at all or if you have any advice as to how I might be able to get an IUD covered elsewhere would be so greatly appreciated. It’s really my only option since I can’t take hormones and I am pretty frustrated. Thanks so much.
Ash, BCBS does cover IUDs.
Here you go:
http://www.bcbstx.com/affordable_care_act/pdf/womens_prev_contraceptive_tx.pdf
Wake UP! Not all contraception is free!!!
Each insurance plan is different and
BCBS will only cover the specific drugs listed in the Healthcare Law.
My oral contraceptive is NOT covered. I must continue to pay for my prescription.
It just makes me crazy to hear that contraception or birth control is free.
BCBS DOES cover IUDs. Here is the link that proves it:
http://www.bcbstx.com/affordable_care_act/pdf/womens_prev_contraceptive_tx.pdf
Good luck, my oral contraceptive is NOT covered.
Birth Control is Not free for all BCBS plans. Just another lie in regards to Obamacare.
For my high option federal plan, they are free…as long as I’m seeing a preferred provider (-aka- in network). I just got off the phone w/customer care to verify. As for Obamacare and any other plans that come behind it, you have to read between those lines, just like everything else in this life. *insert eye roll*