 Our jobs, our lives
New law expands covered health benefits for women
A new state law writes a strong prescription for
women’s health.
Contraceptive drugs and devices must now be covered in
any prescription-drug insurance provided by New York
State employers for their employees.
The Women’s Health and Wellness Act also requires
employers, except those which are self-insured, to expand
coverage for prevention, early detection and treatment of
breast and cervical cancer and the thinning bone
condition called osteoporosis.
In addition to requiring coverage for contraceptive drugs
and devices (not including over-the-counter products),
the new law:
• Lets women see an obstetrician/gynecologist for
two exams a year, plus pregnancy care, without referral
from a primary-care physician;
• Requires coverage of preventive bone-density
exams; and
• Expands coverage for mammograms and screening for
cervical cancer (PAP smears) to include employers who
were formerly exempted, and requires coverage for annual
mammograms beginning at age 40.
Although PEF members already had some of this coverage,
the law still offers important improvements.
For instance, the Empire Plan covered oral
contraceptives, but not contraceptive devices. (See the
chart for major changes.)
Members enrolled in the Empire Plan will be notified
shortly of the benefit changes resulting from the new
law.
These changes took effect February 1. The HMOs in the
state Health Insurance Program notified their members in
November of benefit changes from last year. —
Lorraine Simpkins
Empire Plan benefits change under
Women’s Health & Wellness Act
Health
Care Service
|
Prior to Law |
After Law |
Mammograms billed by a
hospital
|
Covered every 2 years for women age
40-49
|
Covered annually beginning at age 40
|
Diaphragms and cervical caps
|
Not covered
|
Covered
under Prescription Drug Program subject to $15
copay
|
Cervical caps, surgically
implanted contraceptives (Norplant) and
Intrauterine Devices (IUDs) billed by a physician
|
Not covered
|
Par: $12 copay
Non-Par: Subject to deductible and co-insurance
|
Questions on
Health Notes? E-mail; lsimpkins@pef.org
Questions on Health Benefits? E-mail; dstayman@pef.org
 GO TO HEALTH BENEFITS HOMEPAGE
|
COMMUNICATOR HOMEPAGE
Inside This Issue:
Features
New pact ends 20 years of
sick-leave inequity
PEF wins $1.75 million for
members
Downstate members to save on
fares
Stay in the know with
contract talks
Early Retirement window is
closing fast
Budge
Breakdown
PEF fires back against
proposed budget
Program, job cuts in
proposed state budget
• Office of Mental Health
(OMH)
• OMRDD
• Office of Children
and Family Services (OCFS)
• Transportation Department (DOT)
• Office of General Services (OGS)
• ENCON
• Education Department (SED)
• VESID
• Health Department (DOH)
• Department of
Corrections Services
• Division of Parole (DOP)
• Department of Motor
Vehicles (DMV)
Departments
President's Message:
Stopping job-killing layoffs
You Said It: Member's
letters this month
Health & Safety: Working
conditions symposium
Member Mobilization:
Exposing weakest links
Nurses' Station: LobbyDay
plans for May 5th
Health Notes: Expanded
coverage for women
Retirees In Action:
Death-benefit coverage
PEF Membership Benefits
Program & Travel Corp
Union Matters
DVD on members’
accounts of workplace violence
Hidden talents emerge among
members
State AFL-CIO offers
scholarship
Election Board meeting
DCAAccount user? File IRS
form 2441
2003-2006 Elections
Corrected Definitions
Other Links
Professional Directory
Members' Classified
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