MCHCP adds 'non-contraceptive' coverage option

State government employees covered by the Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan have until Nov. 20 to say if they want to choose an option that doesn't include contraceptive coverage for their health care coverage beginning Jan. 1.

"New employees will be offered this option through their regular enrollment processes," MCHCP Executive Director Judith Muck told the News Tribune on Monday.

An email explaining the option was sent to current state employees covered by MCHCP last week.

Muck said the agency's board approved the new, non-contraception benefit option Oct. 26 for MCHCP's non-Medicare, primary members "when such (contraception) services are contrary to the employee's religious beliefs or moral convictions."

The information available on the website, mchcp.org/stateMembers/medicalBenefitDetails/nonContraceptionBenefitOption.asp, notes: "MCHCP is not able to alter contraception benefits for those with Medicare primary coverage. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services makes the rules for Medicare and includes contraception benefits in Medicare."

One of the provisions of the 2010 Affordable Care Act required health care plans to cover some contraceptive costs, with limited exceptions for churches and other houses of worship.

But the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the 2014 "Hobby Lobby" case that "closely held, for-profit corporations" also are to be exempt from a regulation its owners object to religiously - if there is a less-restrictive means of furthering the law's interests.

Muck noted that language in the Code of Federal Regulations was changed to say that "nothing" in the regulations "may be construed to prevent a willing health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage from offering a separate benefit package option, or a separate policy to any individual who objects to coverage or payments for some or all contraceptive services based on sincerely held religious beliefs."

And, she said, a 2012 state law - which says "no employee, self-employed person, or any other person shall be compelled to obtain coverage for abortion, contraception, or sterilization," if those "items or procedures are contrary to the religious beliefs or moral convictions of such employee or person" - also "would seem to require MCHCP to offer such a benefit option without contraception, if such services are contrary to the employee's religious beliefs or moral convictions."

To get the non-contraception benefit, Muck explained, "you have to affirm that you have a religious or moral objection - but proof is not required."

Because of that affirmation, the new benefit isn't intended for someone who just doesn't want to have that coverage - such as those too old to be concerned with conception issues.

Muck said the change won't mean much on the employee's monthly bill.

"The amount that a member pays for coverage without contraception may have a slight difference - or have no difference - depending on the type of coverage the member selected," she explained.

"In general, if there is a difference, it varies only by $1-2 per month."