Agencies finalize ACA rule on coverage of preventive services without cost sharing

The departments of the Treasury, Labor and Health and Human Services today finalized regulations regarding coverage of certain preventive services without cost sharing under the Affordable Care Act. The rule finalizes provisions from an interim final rule related to coverage of preventive services; an interim final rule related to the process an eligible organization uses to provide notice of its religious objection to the coverage of contraceptive services; and a proposed rule expanding the set of entities eligible for an accommodation with respect to coverage of contraceptive services. Among the limited changes, HHS said the final rule allows eligible organizations to notify HHS in writing of their religious objection to providing contraception coverage, as an alternative to filling out a DOL form to provide to their issuer or third-party administrator. HHS and the DOL would then notify insurers and third party administrators of the organization’s objection so that enrollees in plans of such organizations receive separate payments for contraceptive services. The rule takes effect 60 days after publication in the July 14 Federal Register.