Preventive Services for Women Without Copayment or Coinsurance Charges

All New York State of Health insurance plans and many other plans must cover the following list of preventive services for women without charging a copayment or coinsurance. This is true even if a patient has not met her yearly deductible. However, this applies only when these services are delivered by an in-network provider.

  1. Anemia screening on a routine basis for pregnant women. Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency, and is highest among young children and women of childbearing age, particularly pregnant women. Anemia raises the risk for preterm delivery and low-birthweight babies.
  2. Breast Cancer Genetic Test Counseling for women at higher risk for breast cancer. BRCA 1 and BRCA2 are two gene mutations which are tied to cases of inherited breast and ovarian cancer.
  3. Breast Cancer Mammography screenings every one to two years for women over 40. A mammogram is an X-ray picture of the breast, used to check for lumps that could indicate cancer. More information is available here about breast cancer.
  4. Breast Cancer Chemoprevention counseling for women at higher risk for breast cancer.
  5. Breastfeeding comprehensive support and counseling from trained providers, and access to breastfeeding supplies, for pregnant and nursing women. New York State law also provides for breastfeeding mothers' bill of rights, as well as advice for mothers returning to work and mothers in the WIC program.
  6. Cervical cancer screening for sexually active women.
  7. Chlamydia Infection screening for younger women and other women at higher risk. Symptoms are listed here.
  8. Contraception: Food and Drug Administration-approved contraceptive methods, sterilization procedures, and patient education and counseling , as prescribed by a health care provider for women with reproductive capacity (not including abortifacient drugs). This does not apply to health plans sponsored by certain exempt religious employers.
  9. Domestic and interpersonal violence screening and counseling for all women.
  10. Folic Acid supplements for women who may become pregnant. Folic acid prevents neural tube defects, which are disorders of the development of the brain and spinal cord during pregnancy.
  11. Gestational diabetes screening for women 24 to 28 weeks pregnant and those at high risk of developing gestational diabetes. Women with gestational diabetes are at higher risk for pregnancy complications, and also for developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
  12. Gonorrhea screening for all women at higher risk. Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease that can be cured through medical treatment. If untreated, gonorrhea can make it difficult for a woman to get pregnant. The disease can be passed from mother to infant during labor and birth. Babies with gonorrhea can develop eye and joint infections and even life-threatening blood infections.
  13. Hepatitis B screening for pregnant women at their first prenatal visit. Hepatitis B is a serious liver disease easily passed to others
  14. HIV screening and counseling for sexually active women. This test can be performed at the same time as other prenatal blood tests.
  15. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) DNA Test every three years for women with normal cytology results who are 30 or older.
  16. Osteoporosis screening for women over age 60 depending on risk factors. Bone health issues vary for women depending on ages and ethnic backgrounds. Older women are most at risk for osteoporosis due to lower levels of estrogen, a bone-protecting hormone that decreases sharply during menopause. Osteoporosis can result, putting women at risk for bone fractures and breaks.
  17. Rh Incompatibility screening for all pregnant women and follow-up testing for women at higher risk. Every woman should be tested before pregnancy or at her first prenatal visit to determine whether she is Rh-negative. The Rh factor is an inherited protein found on the surface of red blood cells. Most people have this protein and are called Rh-positive. Rh-negative pregnant women are at risk of having a baby with Rh disease, a potentially dangerous form of anemia. Treatment usually can prevent Rh disease.
  18. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) counseling for sexually active women. STIs are infections a person can get by having genital, oral or anal sex with someone who is infected. Many people do not know they have an STI because some STis cause no symptoms. Counseling sessions have been shown to reduce risky behaviors.
  19. Syphilis screening for all pregnant women or other women at increased risk. Syphilis is primarily a sexually transmitted disease, but may be passed to a baby by an infected mother during pregnancy, putting the baby at risk for serious health problems and death. Screening should be performed during the first prenatal visit and repeated in the third trimester if the patient is considered to be at high risk.
  20. Tobacco Use screening and interventions for all women, and expanded counseling for pregnant tobacco users to help them quit. The New York State Smokers' Quitline has free information toll-free at 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697- 8487).
  21. Urinary tract or other infection screening for pregnant women. Urinary tract infections are common in pregnancy. Urine cultures are obtained routinely at the first prenatal visit and during the third trimester
  22. Well-woman visits to get recommended services for women under 65. Annual visit for adult women to obtain recommended preventive services that are age and developmentally appropriate, including preconception care, many prenatal care services, immunizations, physical exam, health habits and history. More than one visit may be needed to obtain all tests and screenings.