Health priority and several other Michigan health plans intend to maintain full coverage for preventive care for the time being.
That’s despite a ruling by a Texas federal judge last week that struck down provisions of the federal Affordable Care Act that required health insurers to cover preventive care at no cost to consumers.
“Preventive services save lives, reduce costs and help members live happier, healthier lives,” Priority Health CEO Praveen Thadani said in a statement. “We are committed to supporting our members at every stage of their health and wellness journey, and this includes helping our members stay healthy through preventive service coverage, not just treating them when ‘They are sick.”
While the case is on appeal, Grand Rapids-based Priority Health today joined other health plans in announcing that it will continue to provide 100% coverage for care such as physical exams, vaccinations and vaccines, prescriptions considered preventive, healthy and prenatal children. visits.
Priority Health, which has 1.3 million members, will also continue to fully cover preventive cholesterol testing and screening for colon cancer, diabetes and osteoporosis.
Priority Health covered 100% of preventive care costs before the ACA and “will continue to offer these services regardless of the recent decision,” Thadani said.
Priority Health is one of 17 health plans that Governor Gretchen Whitmer said today pledged to maintain zero costs to members for preventative care, including Michigan Blue Shield Blue Cross and HMO subsidiary Blue Care Network, Health Alliance Plan, Alliance Health And life insurance company, Physician Health Plan, UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company Inc.
Whitmer said the covenants apply to individual, small group and large group policies.
“It is important for our members to know that their care and coverage does not change due to the court ruling,” said Dr. James Grant, senior vice president and chief medical officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, in a statement. “Access to free screenings, counseling and preventative medications is essential for early detection, removing barriers to care and improving overall health. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan supports keeping these preventative services in place without cost sharing until all appeals of the court ruling are finalized.
Whitmer Monday had directed the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services to work with health insurers on actions to maintain comprehensive preventive care coverage.
The 17 health plans that have committed to maintaining preventative care at no cost to consumers are:
- Aetna Life Insurance Company, Aetna Health of Michigan Inc.
- Blue Care Network
- Michigan Blue Shield Blue Cross
- Cigna Health and Life Insurance Co.
- Health Alliance Plan
- Humana Insurance Co.
- Michigan Humana Medical Plan
- McLaren Health Plan Community
- Meridian Health Plan of Michigan Inc.
- Molina Healthcare of Michigan
- Nippon Life Insurance Company of America
- Oscar Insurance Co.
- Physician Health Plan
- Health priority
- UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company Inc. and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan Inc.
- American Health and Life Insurance Company.
- Wellfleet Insurance Co.