Missouri now offering workers health insurance without birth control coverage

JEFFERSON CITY • The health insurance program covering over 95,000 Missouri state employees and retirees is now offering members the option of declining birth control coverage.

In an announcement on its website, the Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan said workers opposed to having those services can opt out by a Nov. 20 deadline.

“If you declare you have a religious or moral objection, your benefits will provide no coverage for contraception as either a medical or pharmacy benefit for non-Medicare primary individuals covered on your plan,” the notice reads.

Judith Muck, executive director of the health insurance program, said the plan’s board of directors voted to begin offering the change at its Oct. 26 meeting in response to President Trump’s decision to roll back rules requiring insurers to provide contraceptive coverage to women.

Read more: http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/missouri-now-offering-workers-health-insurance-without-birth-control-coverage/article_561c550e-7661-579c-a306-7e42a3b3bc36.html