Contraceptive Equity
Connecticut law requires health insurance plans that cover prescription drugs to provide equitable coverage for contraception.
What is required? If a health insurance plan provides coverage for outpatient prescription drugs, it must provide coverage for Food and Drug Administration-approved prescription contraceptive methods.
To which insurance plans does the law apply? Individual and group health insurance policies issued or renewed on or after October 1, 1999 that provide coverage for outpatient prescription drugs.
Does the law contain a refusal clause, allowing certain employers and/or insurers to refuse to provide or pay for contraceptive coverage? Yes.
To whom does the refusal clause apply? Religious employers for whom prescription contraceptive methods are contrary to their bona fide religious tenets, as well as insurance providers owned, operated, or substantially controlled by a religious organization that has religious or moral tenets that conflict with contraceptive coverage.
What does the refusal clause allow? Upon a religious employer's request, an insurance provider may issue to a religious employer a plan that excludes coverage for contraception. In addition, insurance providers owned, operated, or substantially controlled by a religious organization that has religious or moral tenets that conflict with contraceptive coverage may provide for coverage of prescription contraceptive methods through another entity offering a limited benefit plan, provided that the coverage has the same cost, terms, and availability as other prescription coverage offered to the insured.
Is this refusal clause overbroad, jeopardizing insurance coverage for contraception for women? Yes. The law defines the term "religious employer" as a church-controlled or church-affiliated organization. This definition inappropriately includes entities that operate in the public sphere.
Does the law require that the persons affected by the refusal be notified? Yes. A health insurance policy that excludes coverage for prescription contraceptive methods due to an employer's religious refusal must provide the insured or prospective insured with written notice of the exclusion.
Are there circumstances under which a refusal clause may not be exercised? Yes. A refusal clause may not be used to exclude coverage for prescription contraceptive methods ordered for reasons other than contraceptive purposes.
Does the law provide a mechanism for women to obtain contraceptive coverage if their employer and/or insurer exercises a refusal clause? No.
May an individual obtain a health insurance policy that excludes contraceptive coverage? Yes. An individual who states in writing that prescription contraceptive methods are contrary to the individual's religious or moral beliefs may obtain a health insurance policy from their insurer that excludes coverage for contraception.
Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. §§ 38a-503e, -530e (Enacted 1999).
