Change in Coverage for Elective Abortions in Kansas Effective Early 2012

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As of July 1, 2011, a new Kansas law (HB 2075) became effective prohibiting any health insurance plan, contract or policy from providing elective abortion coverage, except by optional rider with additional premium.

Abortion is defined as “the use or prescription of any instrument, medicine, drug or any other substance or device to terminate the pregnancy of a woman known to be pregnant with an intention other than to increase the probability of a live birth, to preserve the life or health of the child after live birth, or to remove a dead unborn child who died as the result of natural causes in utero, accidental trauma or a criminal assault on the pregnant woman or her unborn child and which causes the premature termination of the pregnancy.” Elective abortion is defined as “an abortion for any reason other than to prevent the death of the mother upon whom the abortion is performed; provided, that an abortion may not be deemed one to prevent the death of the mother based on a claim or diagnosis that she will engage in conduct which will result in her death.”

UHC Changes for Fully Insured 100+ and Public Sector Customers

To comply with the Kansas law (HB 2075) and to uniformly administer UnitedHealthcare’s fully insured medical employee benefit plans in Kansas, UnitedHealthcare will be removing coverage for elective abortions according to state law for all customers effective Feb. 1, 2012. Please note that this change applies to large 100+ employee groups (commercial as well as public sector).

To inform customers, a letter will be mailed to affected groups on Jan. 31, 2012.

UHC Changes in Legal Standard for Kansas Small Business Customers

To comply with the Kansas law (HB 2075) and to uniformly administer UnitedHealthcare’s fully insured medical employee benefit plans in Kansas, we will be removing coverage for elective abortions according to state law for all customers effective Feb. 1, 2012.

To inform customers, a letter will be mailed to affected small business groups on
Jan. 31, 2012.

For more information, please contact your UnitedHealthcare representative.