The US Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and Treasury have issued new regulations which requires new health insurance plans to cover evidence-based preventive services and eliminate cost sharing requirements for such services.
According to HHS, new rules will help Americans gain better access to services including blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol tests; several cancer screenings; routine vaccinations; pre-natal care; and regular wellness visits for infants and children.
Under the regulations issued, new health plans beginning on or after September 23, 2010, must cover preventive services that have scientific evidence of their health benefits, and these plans may no longer charge a patient a copayment, coinsurance or deductible for these services when they are delivered by a network provider.
Sebelius, secretary of HHS, said: “Today, too many Americans do not get the high-quality preventive care they need to stay healthy, avoid or delay the onset of disease, lead productive lives, and reduce health care costs.
“From the Recovery Act to the First Lady’s Let’s Move Campaign to the Affordable Care Act, the Administration is laying the foundation to help transform the health care system from a system that focuses on treating the sick to a system that focuses on keeping every American healthy.”