HHS extends nonprofit groups’ deadline for contraceptives coverage

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced Jan. 20 that it will include nonprofit religious organizations in its ruling that employers’ insurance plans must cover contraceptive options without charging a co-payment. All nonprofit organizations now have until Aug. 1, 2013, to comply with the ruling.

In August 2011, HHS ruled that health-insurance plans are required to cover all Food and Drug Administration-approved contraceptives without charging employees a co-payment, coinsurance or a deductible. Employers have until Aug. 1, 2012, to comply.

Nonprofit religious organizations were exempt from the ruling and instead were given the option of including contraceptive coverage based on the individual organization’s religious beliefs.

HHS gave nonprofit organizations an additional year to meet regulations to allow ample time for religious organizations to adapt to the new requirements.