contraceptives

The average user of birth control pills saved $255 in the first year after an Affordable Care Act requirement that insurers cover contraceptives without copays went into effect, a study finds.

These older policies existed before the health law was enacted in 2010 and haven't change much. They cover about a quarter of insured workers, and aren't subject to the same rules as Obamacare plans.

The notice to insurers comes after reports found many health plans weren't providing no-cost birth control for all prescription methods, a requirement under the Affordable Care Act.

For years Catholic health plans have been arranging for independent insurance firms to provide contraceptive coverage to their enrollees.