June 28, 2016
On May 23, 2016, Gov. Shumlin signed H 620 into law. The new law amends Vermont’s state law to comply with federal laws related to the coverage of contraceptives. Non-grandfathered group health plans must provide coverage for at least one drug, device or other product within each method of contraception for women, as identified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and prescribed by a health provider. The coverage must include patient education and counseling regarding the prescribed contraceptive method, as well as voluntary sterilization procedures for men and women. The coverage must be provided with no cost sharing for the participants. If the participant’s provider recommends a particular service, drug, device or other product based on medical necessity, the plan must defer to the provider’s determination. The law is effective for plan years starting on or after Oct. 1, 2016.
H 620 also creates a new special enrollment period for the New Hampshire exchange. Effective July 1, 2016, pregnant women may enroll in exchange coverage outside of open enrollment.
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