Under the Affordable Care Act (also known as the ACA or Obamacare), group health plans must cover certain preventive services without any participant cost-sharing.
This provision is required under PHS 2713 and is often called the preventive care or preventive services requirement. This article outlines the ACA preventive care rules.
ACA Preventive Care Requirements
Section 2713 of the ACA requires private health plans to cover certain preventive care services without cost-sharing to participants in the form of copayments, deductibles, co-insurance, etc.
The preventive care requirements apply to all private, non-grandfathered group health plans, including:
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Individual health insurance policies
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Small group health insurance policies
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Large group health insurance policies
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Self-insured plans, including self-insured medical reimbursement plans
Related: Preventive Care and Employer Reimbursement of Health Insurance
List of Required Preventive Care Services
The required preventive care services are divided into three categories: adults, women (including pregnant women), and children.
Covered Preventive Services for Adults
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Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm one-time screening for men of specified ages who have ever smoked
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Alcohol Misuse screening and counseling
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Aspirin use for men and women of certain ages
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Blood Pressure screening for all adults
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Cholesterol screening for adults of certain ages or at higher risk
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Colorectal Cancer screening for adults over 50
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Depression screening for adults
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Type 2 Diabetes screening for adults with high blood pressure
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Diet counseling for adults at higher risk for chronic disease
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HIV screening for all adults at higher risk
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Immunization vaccines for adults--doses, recommended ages, and recommended populations vary:
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Obesity screening and counseling for all adults
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Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) prevention counseling for adults at higher risk
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Tobacco Use screening for all adults and cessation interventions for tobacco users
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Syphilis screening for all adults at higher risk
Covered Preventive Services for Women, Including Pregnant Women
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Anemia screening on a routine basis for pregnant women
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Bacteriuria urinary tract or other infection screening for pregnant women
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BRCA counseling about genetic testing for women at higher risk
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Breast Cancer Mammography screenings every 1 to 2 years for women over 40
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Breast Cancer Chemoprevention counseling for women at higher risk
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Breastfeeding comprehensive support and counseling from trained providers, as well as access to breastfeeding supplies, for pregnant and nursing women
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Cervical Cancer screening for sexually active women
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Chlamydia Infection screening for younger women and other women at higher risk
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Contraception: Food and Drug Administration-approved contraceptive methods, sterilization procedures, and patient education and counseling, as prescribed by a healthcare provider for women with reproductive capacity (not including abortifacient drugs). This does not apply to health plans sponsored by certain exempt “religious employers.”
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Domestic and interpersonal violence screening and counseling for all women
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Folic Acid supplements for women who may become pregnant
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Gestational diabetes screening for women 24 to 28 weeks pregnant and those at high risk of developing gestational diabetes
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Gonorrhea screening for all women at higher risk
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Hepatitis B screening for pregnant women at their first prenatal visit
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Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) screening and counseling for sexually active women
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Human Papillomavirus (HPV) DNA Test
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Osteoporosis screening for women over age 60 depending on risk factors
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Rh Incompatibility screening for all pregnant women and follow-up testing for women at higher risk
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Tobacco Use screening and interventions for all women, and expanded counseling for pregnant tobacco users
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Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) counseling for sexually active women*
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Syphilis screening for all pregnant women or other women at increased risk
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Well-woman visits to obtain recommended preventive services*
Covered Preventive Services for Children
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Alcohol and Drug Use assessments for adolescents
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Autism screening for children at 18 and 24 months
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Behavioral assessments for children of all ages
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Blood Pressure screening for children
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Cervical Dysplasia screening for sexually active females
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Congenital Hypothyroidism screening for newborns
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Depression screening for adolescents
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Developmental screening for children under age 3, and surveillance throughout childhood
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Dyslipidemia screening for children at higher risk of lipid disorders
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Fluoride Chemoprevention supplements for children without fluoride in their water source
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Gonorrhea preventive medication for the eyes of all newborns
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Hearing screening for all newborns
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Height, Weight and Body Mass Index measurements for children
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Hematocrit or Hemoglobin screening for children
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Hemoglobinopathies or sickle cell screening for newborns
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HIV screening for adolescents at higher risk
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Immunization vaccines for children from birth to age 18 —doses, recommended ages, and recommended populations vary
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Iron supplements for children ages 6 to 12 months at risk for anemia
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Lead screening for children at risk of exposure
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Medical History for all children throughout development
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Obesity screening and counseling
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Oral Health risk assessment for young children
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Phenylketonuria (PKU) screening for this genetic disorder in newborns
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Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) prevention counseling and screening for adolescents at higher risk
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Tuberculin testing for children at higher risk of tuberculosis
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Vision screening for all children
Conclusion
The ACA requires all non-grandfathered group health plans to provide coverage for basic preventive care items and services without cost-sharing to the patient or participant. Employers and their advisors can use this guide to understand the preventive care requirements and to ensure compliance.
Additional Resources
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DOL and HHS FAQs on Preventive Care Requirements (May 11, 2015)
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KFF Slipsheet - Preventive Services Covered by Private Health Plans
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Preventive Care and Employer Reimbursement of Health Insurance
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