HB 25 Summary

• Health insurers offering plans in Alaska must provide coverage for prescription contraceptives, voluntary sterilization procedures, and related medical services without cost-sharing (copayments or deductibles).

• Insurers must reimburse for prescription contraceptives intended to last 12 months for subsequent dispensings of the same contraceptive regardless of enrollment status at initial dispensing, and cannot deny coverage if the insured changes contraceptive methods within 12 months.

• Insurers cannot restrict coverage through medical management techniques like prior authorization or step therapy that limit access to a full range of prescription contraceptives, though reasonable cost containment measures are permitted.

• Religious employers meeting specific Internal Revenue Code criteria are exempt from these contraceptive coverage requirements for their group health plans.

• Municipal employee health plans and state employee health plans are subject to the same contraceptive coverage requirements, and the state's Medicaid program must cover prescription contraceptives and related services pending federal approval.