The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that new health insurance plans will be required to cover preventative services for women without cost sharing, starting August 1, 2012 as part of the Affordable Care Act.

The following services are included:

• Breastfeeding support, supplies, and counseling
• Domestic violence screening and counseling
• FDA-approved contraception methods and contraceptive counseling
• Human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing for women 30 years and older
• Screening for gestational diabetes
• Sexually-transmitted infection counseling
• Well women visits

Read the guidelines to learn more information.

The Maryland Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division Health Education and Advocacy Unit is offering a FREE service to help consumers whose health plan has refused to cover a medical procedure or to pay for a medical service that has already been provided. 

The following services are provided by the Health Education and Advocacy Unit:

• Assists consumers in resolving billing disputes with hospitals, doctors, insurance companies and other health care providers
• Assist consumers to negotiate refunds for medical equipment that is defective or was never delivered, and seeking repairs for medical equipment and other health care products.

For me information, click here