In August 2011, HHS published an interim final rule that requires most health plans to furnish certain preventive health services, including contraceptive services, for women without cost sharing under the ACA, effective for plan years beginning on or after August 1, 2012. The rule provided an exemption with regard to contraceptive services for certain religious employers (defined as one that has the inculcation of religious values as its purpose; primarily employs persons who share its religious tenets; primarily serves persons who share its religious tenets; and is a non-profit organization). On January 20, 2012, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced that religious employers who currently do not provide contraceptive coverage in their insurance plan will have until August 1, 2013 to comply with the new law if they certify their eligibility and provide notices to their employees of the availability of contraceptive services at clinics and other sites.
