§2332-J. Coverage for contraceptives

1.  Coverage requirements.  All individual and group nonprofit hospital and medical services plan policies and contracts and all nonprofit health care plan policies and contracts that provide coverage for prescription drugs or outpatient medical services must provide coverage for all prescription contraceptives approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration or for outpatient contraceptive services, respectively, to the same extent that coverage is provided for other prescription drugs or outpatient medical services. For purposes of this section, the term "outpatient contraceptive services" means consultations, examinations, procedures and medical services provided on an outpatient basis and related to the use of contraceptive methods to prevent an unintended pregnancy. This section may not be construed to apply to prescription drugs or devices that are designed to terminate a pregnancy.

[PL 1999, c. 341, §1 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 341, §5 (AFF).]

2.  Exclusion for religious employer.  A religious employer may request and a nonprofit hospital or medical service organization or nonprofit health care service organization shall grant an exclusion under the policy or contract for the coverage required by this section if the required coverage conflicts with the religious employer's bona fide religious beliefs and practices. A religious employer that obtains an exclusion under this subsection shall provide prospective insureds and those individuals insured under its policy written notice of the exclusion. This section may not be construed as authorizing a nonprofit hospital or medical service organization or nonprofit health care service organization to exclude coverage for prescription drugs prescribed for reasons other than contraceptive purposes or for prescription contraception that is necessary to preserve the life or health of a covered person. For the purposes of this section, "religious employer" means an employer that is a church, convention or association of churches or an elementary or secondary school that is controlled, operated or principally supported by a church or by a convention or association of churches as defined in 26 United States Code, Section 3121 (w) (3) (A) and that qualifies as a tax-exempt organization under 26 United States Code, Section 501(c) (3).

[PL 1999, c. 341, §1 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 341, §5 (AFF).]

3.  Application.  The requirements of this section apply to all policies, contracts and certificates executed, delivered, issued for delivery, continued or renewed in this State. For purposes of this section, all contracts are deemed to be renewed no later than the next yearly anniversary of the contract date.

[PL 2003, c. 517, Pt. B, §7 (NEW).]

§2332-J. Coverage for services of certified nurse practitioners; certified nurse midwives (As enacted by PL 1999, c. 396, §1 and affected by §7 is REALLOCATED TO TITLE 24, SECTION 2332-K)

§2332-J. Coverage for services provided by registered nurse first assistants (As enacted by PL 1999, c. 412, §1 is REALLOCATED TO TITLE 24, SECTION 2332-L)

SECTION HISTORY

RR 1999, c. 1, §§30,31 (RAL). PL 1999, c. 341, §1 (NEW). PL 1999, c. 341, §5 (AFF). PL 1999, c. 396, §1 (NEW). PL 1999, c. 396, §7 (AFF). PL 1999, c. 412, §1 (NEW). PL 2003, c. 517, §B7 (AMD).