Starting today, all new health insurance plans must provide eight preventive health benefits to women for free.
For women already in plans with copays or deductibles for those services -- they will also be free, starting at their plan's next renewal date.
The Department of Health and Human Services estimates 47 million women are in health plans that must offer the new benefits.
It's a requirement of the Health Care Reform Law Congress passed in 2010. The Supreme Court upheld most of the law in June.
The Secretary of Health celebrated Wednesday's milestone a day early.
"We're here to mark a new day for women's health in America. Starting tomorrow, thanks to the new health care law, all insurance policies will be required to cover new vital care that women need to stay healthy and they'll have to cover the care without charging women anything out of pocket," says Kathleen Sebelius.
Benefits include contraceptives, breast-feeding supplies and screenings for sexually transmitted infections and counseling for domestic violence. They also include routine check-ups for breast and pelvic exams, pap tests and prenatal care.
"Too often, we put our own health last. And that's especially true when it comes to preventive care. The regular checkups and screenings that are so important to staying health but can be too easy to put off."
Fourteen free preventative service benefits for women have already taken effect under the Affordable Care Act -- including mammograms to screen for breast cancer in women over 40.
Not all insured women will have access to the new services.
Certain insurance plans that existed before the passage of health care reform may have "grandfathered" status and may be exempt from offering the benefits.
Women can call their employers to ask whether they are in "grandfathered" health insurance plans. The new regulations will kick in only when their insurance plan is renewed.
There are also free preventive services for men and children. They include flu shots and other immunizations, screenings for cancers, high blood pressure and cholesteral and depression.
(CNN, CBS)
