Preventive Care Services
KEY PROVISION: Insurers must cover preventive care for children's well-child visits, vision and hearing tests, development screenings-- without requiring co-payments, deductibles or co-insurance.
Under the Affordable Care Act, insurers can no longer impose co-payments, deductibles or co-insurance for child preventive care. This care includes the cost of well-child visits, vision and hearing tests, various health and behavior assessments and developmental screenings. These covered preventive services are defined by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services's Health Resources and Services Administration.
Why this is important
If everyone has quality, affordable health care, including preventive services and early diagnosis and treatment of conditions, our health care system will change from one that treats sickness to one that prevents disease and promotes wellness.
What this means in New Hampshire
In New Hampshire, this provision became law for health plan years starting on or after September 23, 2010.
