SB 53 Summary

• Health care insurers offering plans in Alaska's group or individual markets must cover prescription contraceptives, voluntary sterilization procedures, and related medical services without copayments, deductibles, or cost-sharing.

• Insurers must reimburse providers for 12-month supplies of prescription contraceptives for subsequent refills regardless of whether the patient was enrolled at the time of initial dispensing.

• Insurers cannot deny coverage or restrict access due to method changes within a 12-month period, use of medical management techniques that limit contraceptive choices, or offsets for compliance costs.

• Religious employers meeting specified Internal Revenue Code or federal self-certification criteria are exempt from contraceptive coverage requirements for their group health plans.

• Medical assistance (Medicaid) program must cover prescription contraceptives and related services on the same 12-month refill basis, contingent on federal approval by January 1, 2018.