New Rules: Insurance Must Cover Screenings

Although much of the furor over health care reform has died down, many of the new law's most controversial provisions -- the insurance mandate, for example -- have yet to take effect. But last week, Congress took a major step forward by requiring health insurance companies to provide free coverage for a number of preventive screenings.

Going forward, insurance companies must cover a variety of preventive services, including (according to the New York Times):

• Cholesterol, diabetes, and blood pressure tests
• Cancer screenings
• HIV screenings
• Vaccinations
• Prenatal care, as well doctor visits for infants and children
• Smoking cessation counseling
• Obesity screening and counseling

Of course, just because the law requires insurance plans to cover preventive screenings, that doesn't mean people will take advantage of the opportunity. That's why it's more important than ever to raise awareness through employee wellness programs. A health fair or an onsite seminar may be all it takes to get the ball rolling for some of your employees.