The Affordable Care Act requires many health plans to provide coverage for clinical preventive services without co-payments or deductibles. This includes clinical services graded A or B by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, immunizations recommended by ACIP, and services recommended for children and teens in Bright Futures. STD screening and counseling, Pap smears, and HPV immunizations are included.
 
Despite this expansion of coverage, adolescent utilization of STD screening and other sensitive services may be impeded by an inadvertent breach of confidentiality. When a healthcare provider seeks payment from a health plan, the plan is required to issue an explanation of benefits (EOB) to the policy holder, often a parent or guardian, to detail the services provided. Thus, the EOB may inadvertently disclose an otherwise confidential service. This is a complex issue that is confounded by numerous federal and state laws and regulations, but it must be addressed to ensure young people take advantage of preventive care. Possible solutions to address this issue were laid out in a letter to DHHS Secretary Sebelius signed by Partnership for Prevention, ACOG, AAP, and SAHM.

Public comments can be made until September 17, 2010. Partnership for Prevention urges you to review the Federal Register notice and submit comments affirming the importance of addressing barriers to confidential preventive care. Comments can be submitted via email or through the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Contact us at ncc@prevent.org if you have questions.