Coverage for Women Expanded by Blue KC

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC) will add new services to its Routine Preventive Services benefit to comply with the Affordable Care Act (ACA). As you may recall, the law requires annual updates based on new guidance issued.

Specifically, Blue KC will begin to provide 100% coverage for women for the following services when received from an in-network provider:

• Generic prescription contraceptives, all other contraceptives (e.g., devices, implants, procedures, etc.
• The purchase of a breast pump, and lactation counseling with each delivery

Members will not have a copayment, coinsurance, or deductible for these services if a network provider is used. This expansion was adopted as a result of the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) additional guidelines for Women’s Preventive Services under the Affordable Care Act.

Effective dates for Expanded Women’s Routine Preventive Services:

• Individual Under Age 65: Effective 1/1/2013
• Small Group: Upon sale or renewal 8/1/2012 and later
• Large Group: For non-grandfathered plans*, upon sale or renewal 8/1/2012 and later

For additional information, please contact your Blue KC marketing representative, or visit www.hrsa.gov/womensguidelines.

* Large grandfathered plans will also have the option to implement this coverage.