Statement by Paul Macielak, president and CEO
“Health plans make every effort to provide consumers with accurate and up to date information.
“In the case of contraceptive coverage, the FDA has identified 18 different methods, with many of those having multiple forms. New York and federal law require plans to provide coverage of ‘at least one form of contraception in each of the FDA-approved contraceptive delivery methods without co-pays, coinsurance or deductibles.’ This amount of variation opens the door for miscommunications and possible errors during a complex transfer of information.
“We do not believe that a series of a few calls to plans’ member services departments constitutes an ‘undercover sting’ investigation, as characterized by the Department of Financial Services, and feel this is simply old news because the Department already issued a Circular Letter clarifying contraceptive coverage rules prior to this report.
“Health plans are prepared to work with the Department in constructive efforts to ensure New York consumers get all the information they need to make decisions about their coverage.”