Insurance Prohibition for Abortion
Does Pennsylvania prohibit private insurance plans from covering abortion services? No. However, health and disability insurance providers must offer a policy that expressly excludes abortion coverage, with exceptions only to save a woman's life or if the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest. 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. § 3215(e) (Enacted 1982; Last Amended 1988).
Does Pennsylvania prohibit plans in its state exchange from covering abortion services? No.
Does Pennsylvania prohibit insurance plans for public employees from covering abortion services? Yes. Employee health plans funded by the state may not include abortion coverage, with exceptions only for cases where (1) an independent physician certifies that an abortion is necessary to save a woman's life, (2) the pregnancy is the result of rape personally reported by the survivor to a law-enforcement agency prior to the abortion, or (3) the pregnancy is the result of incest personally reported by the survivor to a law-enforcement agency or child protective services prior to the abortion. 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. §§ 3215(c), (d) (Enacted 1982; Last Amended 1988).
Does Pennsylvania prohibit the purchase of extra coverage for abortion services? No. Nothing in the law prohibits the purchase of abortion coverage through an optional rider; in theory, women may purchase a separate policy and pay an extra premium to receive abortion coverage. However, nothing in the law requires an insurer to make such riders available and there is little evidence that insurers offer these products. 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. §§ 3215(c), (d) (Enacted 1982; Last Amended 1988).
