Contraceptive Equity

Georgia 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 any Food and Drug Administration-approved prescription contraceptive drugs or devices.

To which insurance plans does the law apply?  Health insurance plans, other than certain limited benefit policies, issued or renewed on or after July 1, 1999 that provide coverage for outpatient prescription drugs.

Does the law provide additional protections for women?  Yes.  Insurers may not impose a different copayment, coinsurance, or fee for contraceptives from that imposed on other prescription drugs.  In addition, insurers may not reduce prescription drug reimbursement rates for individuals receiving prescription contraceptive benefits.

Does the law contain a refusal clause, allowing certain employers and/or insurers to refuse to provide or pay for contraceptive coverage?  No.

Ga. Code Ann. § 33-24-59.6 (Enacted 1999).