SB 156 - Insurance Coverage for Contraceptives

• Health care insurers offering group or individual market plans in Alaska must cover prescription contraceptives, voluntary sterilization procedures, and related medical services (consultations, examinations, insertions, removals).

• Insurers must reimburse for contraceptives intended to last 3 months on first dispensing and 12 months for subsequent dispensings, regardless of whether the insured was enrolled at first dispensing.

• Insurers may not deny coverage for method changes within 12 months, charge copayments or deductibles, restrict access through medical management techniques, or offset compliance costs.

• Religious employers meeting specific criteria under federal tax law and self-certification requirements are exempt from providing contraceptive coverage.

• Medical assistance (Medicaid) coverage for contraceptives takes effect only upon federal approval by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, with the commissioner notifying the revisor of statutes by January 1, 2017; other provisions take effect January 1, 2017.