Copyright 2000 P.G. Publishing Co.
Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette
February 22, 2000, Tuesday, ONE STAR EDITION
SECTION: HEALTH, Pg. X-3
LENGTH: 195 words
HEADLINE:
WHAT'S COVERED NOW
BODY:
Bills pending in
the Legislature would require health plans that offer prescription coverage to
cover the cost of birth control pills; Depo Provera, an injectible
contraceptive; Norplant, which is implanted in a woman's arm;
diaphragms; and intrauterine devices.
Here's what the region's major
insurers cover now:
HealthAmerica covers all the
contraceptives listed in Schwartz's bill except Norplant as
part of its standard pharmacy benefit, but it gives employers the option to buy
a rider that excludes contraceptive coverage. Highmark offers a
number of prescription drug plans, but its managed care plans generally cover
oral contraceptives and Depo Provera. Employer groups are given
the option to exclude and/or require preauthorization of oral and injectible
contraceptives.
Aetna U.S. Healthcare gives employers
the option of buying a rider that includes all five of the
contraceptives that would be mandated by Schwartz's bill.
All three companies cover oral contraceptives to treat
medical conditions. For example, some women at the onset of menopause receive
birth control pills to stem unusually heavy bleeding.
-
Christopher Snowbeck
LOAD-DATE: February 22,
2000 
