New Exemptions from ACA Contraceptive Coverage Mandate

The U.S. Departments of the Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services have issued new interim final rules to expand the exemptions from the contraceptive coverage mandate under the Affordable Care Act. The new exemptions encompass (i) non-governmental plan sponsors and institutions of higher learning that object to the mandate based on sincerely held religious beliefs, and (ii) certain entities and individuals that object to the mandate based on sincerely held non-religious moral convictions. The interim final rules keep the accommodation process as an optional process for certain exempt entities that wish to use it voluntarily. Exempt entities must ensure that the exclusion of contraceptive coverage is clear in the plan document. The interim final rules were effective October 6, 2017. The interim final rules are available?áhere and?áhere.