Government task force removes insurance copays from some STD care services

President Barack Obama's Preventative Services Task Force recently continued its efforts towards improving the U.S. health system by altering insurance coverage of preventative care. Individuals with policies that became effective on or after September 23 will now be free of copays for certain treatments, screenings and counseling, including those related to sexual health, according to The Associated Press.

While insurance plans that commenced prior to this date will not be immediately affected by the new policy, upcoming coverage updates will require insurance companies to meet the new requirements.

Both adults and children will reap the benefits of these changes, as these populations will be free of fees associated with prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among high risk groups. Furthermore, those who have tested positive for these diseases and attend counseling groups will have copay coverage.

These policy adjustments will also provide female patients who plan to or have become pregnant with free STD screenings, the news source reports. Charges for similar benefits will be removed for newborns and infants who are at risk of contracting STDs.

People who are concerned about their sexual health and belong to high risk populations, including pregnant women, should consider getting tested for STDs as soon as their concern arises. Over the last decade, the syphilis rate among pregnant women peaked at 16 percent between 2006 and 2008, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports.