Contraceptive Equity

Iowa 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 or devices or outpatient services, it must provide coverage for Food and Drug Administration-approved prescription contraceptive drugs or devices and outpatient contraceptive services.

To which insurance plans does the law apply?  Individual and group health benefit plans issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2000, except for certain limited benefit plans, that provide coverage for outpatient prescription drugs or devices or outpatient services.

Does the law provide additional protections for women?  Yes.  An insurer may not:  (1) deny eligibility because of a covered individual's use or potential use of contraceptive drugs, devices, or outpatient services; (2) provide monetary payment to encourage a covered individual to accept less than the minimum benefits required by this law; (3) penalize or limit reimbursement of a health care professional because such professional prescribes contraceptive drugs or devices or provides contraceptive services; (4) provide monetary or other incentives to induce a health care professional to withhold contraceptive drugs, devices, or services from a covered individual; or (5) impose any deductible, coinsurance, or copayment for contraceptive drugs, devices, or services that differs from those imposed for any other outpatient drug, device, or service under the plan.

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

May an individual obtain a health insurance policy that excludes contraceptive coverage?  A person who holds an individual heath insurance policy or contract may refuse the coverage required by this law.

Iowa Code Ann. § 514C.19 (Enacted 2000).