Report: Insurers fail to provide free or low-cost birth control, violate ObamaCare


Although the Affordable Care Act (ACA) stipulates that insurers must provide women free or low-cost birth control, a new report by the National Women's Law Center suggests that many companies are failing to do so.
Across the country, insurance companies are charging women out-of-pocket costs or limiting their coverage to exclude certain methods of birth control, even suggesting that women should switch methods if they want to be covered. Further, some companies are imposing age limits on coverage.
The group writes that these violations "recreate the cost barriers that existed prior to the ACA that contribute to increased risk of unintended pregnancy."
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While the report analyzed 100 plans over 15 states, the organization believes violations are more widespread, and is calling on the federal government to clarify ObamaCare's rule on this issue by giving more guidance to insurance companies.
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Stephanie is an editorial assistant at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked for USA Today and Modern Luxury Media.
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