Health Insurance

7 • Blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol tests • Birth control • Cancer screening • Routine vaccines • Regular pediatrician visits • Vision and hearing screening for children • Counseling about obesity Most policies are required to cover certain preventive care services without any out-of-pocket cost to you. • This means that you do not have a co-pay or co-insurance for the preventive care. • Even if you have not met your deductible yet, you do not have to pay for the preventive care. • Policies that started before March 23, 2010 do not have to follow this rule. They are called “grandfathered” policies. Some services must be covered. California law says that many health insurance policies must cover essential health benefits which include services like diabetes supplies, maternity care, cancer screening, transgender health care, and substance abuse treatment. Watch out for “discount plans” and “limited benefit plans.” These plans may not be insurance and may not cover all essential health benefits. See page 6.