The bill amends New Jersey law to enhance health insurance coverage for contraceptive services, specifically focusing on over-the-counter female contraceptives. It requires that various health insurers, including hospital service corporations and individual health insurers, provide coverage for both prescription and over-the-counter contraceptives without necessitating a prescription or provider order. Importantly, the bill stipulates that this coverage must be offered without any cost-sharing, such as deductibles or copayments, and recognizes medical necessity for over-the-counter contraceptives as automatically present. Additionally, it mandates coverage for therapeutic equivalents of prescription contraceptives, voluntary sterilization, and related patient education and counseling services.

The legislation also clarifies that family planning services under the State Medicaid program must include coverage for over-the-counter contraceptives and self-administered hormonal contraceptives without a prescription. The Commissioner of Human Services is responsible for seeking necessary state plan amendments or waivers to secure federal funding for these services. The provisions of the bill will take effect 90 days after enactment and will apply to policies and contracts issued or renewed thereafter.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 17:48-6, 17:48A-7, 17:48E-35.29, 17B:27-46.1, 17B:26-2.1, 26:2J-4.30, 17B:27A-7.12, 17B:27A-19.15, 30:4D-6