Sec. 38a-530e. Mandatory coverage for prescription contraceptives.
Sec. 38a-530e. Mandatory coverage for prescription contraceptives. (a) Each
group health insurance policy providing coverage of the type specified in subdivisions
(1), (2), (4), (11) and (12) of section 38a-469 delivered, issued for delivery, renewed or
continued in this state on or after October 1, 1999, that provides coverage for outpatient
prescription drugs approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration shall not
exclude coverage for prescription contraceptive methods approved by the federal Food
and Drug Administration.
(b) (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, any insurance company, hospital or medical service corporation, or health care center may issue to a religious employer a group health insurance policy that excludes coverage for prescription
contraceptive methods which are contrary to the religious employer's bona fide religious
tenets.
(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, upon the written request
of an individual who states in writing that prescription contraceptive methods are contrary to such individual's religious or moral beliefs, any insurance company, hospital
or medical service corporation, or health care center may issue to or on behalf of the
individual a policy or rider thereto that excludes coverage for prescription contraceptive
methods.
(c) Any health insurance policy issued pursuant to subsection (b) of this section
shall provide written notice to each insured or prospective insured that prescription
contraceptive methods are excluded from coverage pursuant to said subsection. Such
notice shall appear, in not less than ten-point type, in the policy, application and sales
brochure for such policy.
(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing a group health insurance
policy to exclude coverage for prescription drugs ordered by a health care provider with
prescriptive authority for reasons other than contraceptive purposes.
(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, any insurance company,
hospital or medical service corporation, or health care center which is owned, operated
or substantially controlled by a religious organization which has religious or moral tenets
which conflict with the requirements of this section may provide for the coverage of
prescription contraceptive methods as required under this section through another such
entity offering a limited benefit plan. The cost, terms and availability of such coverage
shall not differ from the cost, terms and availability of other prescription coverage offered to the insured.
(f) As used in this section, "religious employer" means an employer that is a "qualified church-controlled organization" as defined in 26 USC 3121 or a church-affiliated
organization.
(P.A. 99-79, S. 2.)
See Sec. 38a-503e for similar provisions re individual policies.