Non-profit religious employers have an additional year to comply with the requirement that health insurance plans cover contraceptive services, according to a statement by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.
In Aug. 2011, HHS issued an interim final rule mandating insurance coverage of preventive services for women recommended by the Institute of Medicine, including contraceptives, without charging a co-pay, co-insurance or deductible. Under this interim final rule, non-profit employers who do not currently provide contraceptive coverage due to religious beliefs would have until Aug. 2012 to comply with the law.
In the final rule, HHS decided to extend this deadline one year to Aug. 2013. Employers who will take advantage of this extension have to certify they qualify for the extension. Secretary Sebelius said this change will give employers more time and flexibility to comply with the law and that it "strikes the appropriate balance between respecting religious freedom and increasing access to important preventive services."
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In Aug. 2011, HHS issued an interim final rule mandating insurance coverage of preventive services for women recommended by the Institute of Medicine, including contraceptives, without charging a co-pay, co-insurance or deductible. Under this interim final rule, non-profit employers who do not currently provide contraceptive coverage due to religious beliefs would have until Aug. 2012 to comply with the law.
In the final rule, HHS decided to extend this deadline one year to Aug. 2013. Employers who will take advantage of this extension have to certify they qualify for the extension. Secretary Sebelius said this change will give employers more time and flexibility to comply with the law and that it "strikes the appropriate balance between respecting religious freedom and increasing access to important preventive services."
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