ACA Facts: Preventive Care at No Cost to Consumers

January 23, 2013

Preventive Care
Under the ACA, many insurers are required to cover certain preventive services at no cost to consumers.  For new health plans or insurance policies beginning on or after September 23, 2010, a number of preventive services must be covered without requiring patients to pay a copayment, co-insurance or having to meet their deductibles.  These services can include things like screenings for cholesterol, blood pressure, HIV and colorectal cancer, as well as immunizations.  Preventive services for children are also included, such as autism screening at 18 and 24 months, behavioral assessments for children of all ages, developmental screening for children under age 3, hearing and vision screenings and a number of vaccines.  A number of preventive services for women are currently covered, with more to be added in August 2012.