FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 1, 2012
Contact
Katherine Schaller
katherine.schaller@younginvincibles.org
202.534.3568
Thank you ACA: No Co-Pays on Preventive Care Provide Major Health Gain to Young Adults
Student Health Plans Will be First to See Benefits after August 1
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – A key provision of the Affordable Care Act takes effect today – the requirement that all new health insurance cover important preventive care with no co-pays or co-insurance. The new provision, set to go into effect on Aug. 1, 2012, includes a number of items important for the health of young adults, including birth control, screenings and counseling.
All new, non-grandfathered private plans, including student insurance plans that are not self-funded, must comply with the August 1st start date. These plans that start after August 1, 2012 must provide coverage of birth control and other preventive care with no cost-sharing. Because most student health insurance plans start in August or September and are unlikely to be grandfathered, college students will be among the first group to see the benefits. Over 2 million students are on college health plans nationwide. Most health insurance plans start their plan year in January, so much of the rest of the population will be able to take advantage of the benefits by early 2013.
“This provision will ensure that millions of women have access to affordable preventive care that they need and deserve,” said Jen Mishory, Deputy Director of Young Invincibles. “It’s a big win for young Americans.” Young Invincibles is planning a number of activities to bring awareness to the new provision and inform young adults about how the Affordable Care Act will impact them.
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For more information about student health insurance plans, go here. Some insurers at religious institutions may wait a year to provide the coverage, or have the insurers provide this coverage to the students directly —check with your school and insurer to find out specific information about contraceptive coverage. For a full list of preventive care covered, visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Young Invincibles is a national organization committed to mobilizing and expanding opportunities for all young Americans between 18 and 34 years of age.