Moms and new parents can call or text any time, every day. Use TTY: Use your preferred relay service or dial , then Learn more about the Hotline. The Affordable Care Act ACA βthe health insurance reform legislation passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama on March 23, βhelps make prevention services affordable and accessible for all Americans by requiring most health insurance plans to provide coverage without cost sharing for certain recommended preventive services.
Preventive services that have strong scientific evidence of their health benefits must be covered and plans can no longer charge a patient a copayment, coinsurance or deductible for these services when they are delivered by a network provider. Under the ACA, most private health insurers must provide coverage of women's preventive health careβsuch as mammograms, screenings for cervical cancer, prenatal care, and other servicesβwith no cost sharing.
Under section of the Public Health Service Act, as modified by the ACA, non-grandfathered group health plans and non-grandfathered group and individual health insurance coverage are required to cover specified preventive services without a copayment, coinsurance, deductible, or other cost sharing, including preventive care and screenings for women as provided for in comprehensive guidelines supported by HRSA for this purpose.
The law recognizes and HHS understands the unique health needs of women across their lifespan. Since the establishment of the Guidelines, there have been advancements in science and gaps identified in clinical practice. The Guidelines are provided in the table. Screening mammography should occur at least biennially and as frequently as annually. Women may require additional imaging to complete the screening process or to address findings on the initial screening mammography.
If additional imaging e. Screening should continue through at least age 74 years, and age alone should not be the basis for discontinuing screening. Women at increased risk also should undergo periodic mammography screening, however, recommendations for additional services are beyond the scope of this recommendation.
