Clinical Perspectives on the New Coverage Guidelines for Preventive Services for Women

UnitedHealthcare has a long-standing commitment to advancing health promotion, disease prevention and wellness services for the people we are privileged to serve. Preventive care interventions have been important components of our health risk identification capabilities and our ability to proactively assist our members in living healthier lives. We continue to invest in our already distinguishing data and analytic capabilities that facilitate increasingly precise identification of population and individual disease prevention opportunities. We also continue to advance our ability to provide health professionals and consumers with actionable, individually specific prevention information in a variety of increasingly real-time formats so as to enhance the quality of their shared health decisions and to support appropriate personal health behaviors.

In an effort to be of assistance to our women customers' health decision-making during this transitional period, we offer the following observations relevant to the recently issued Department of Health and Human Services prevention guidelines:

Screening for gestational diabetes

We remind all pregnant women of the importance of beginning prenatal care during their first trimester of pregnancy. Our Healthy Pregnancy Program provides important preventive support services including reminders to pregnant women to discuss gestational diabetes screening with their physician or midwife.

Human papillomavirus DNA testing for women 30 years and older

We take this opportunity to strongly remind women of the importance of regular cervical cancer screening. Women should be aware that approximately half of newly diagnosed cervical cancer cases occur in women who have not received a Pap smear in the previous five years.* Therefore, it is essential that women not only receive regular pap tests as directed by their doctor, but also talk to their physician about their test results and follow-up on any abnormalities.

Sexually transmitted infection counseling, including counseling and screening for HIV, for sexually active women

UnitedHealthcare encourages sexually active women to review the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by searching for "Clinical Prevention Guidance." Women who are sexually active should consult with their physician and review risk reduction strategies and receive behavioral counseling as indicated.

FDA-approved contraception methods, sterilization and contraceptive counseling

Contraception related health decisions are obviously a deeply personal and private matter. UnitedHealthcare encourages women to talk frankly and honestly with their physician about their beliefs, values and the many options that are available.

Breastfeeding support, supplies, and counseling, including costs for renting breastfeeding equipment

Many experts believe that breast feeding offers advantages for the infant over cow's milk and other formulas. UnitedHealthcare's Healthy Pregnancy Program provides women with resources to facilitate breast feeding, including discounts on the purchase of breast pumps.

Domestic violence screening and counseling

Domestic violence is a serious and sensitive matter. At risk and abused women should feel comfortable in discussing their circumstances with their health professional, hospital staff, or the trained counselors at the National Domestic Violence Hotline who can be reached at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). It is important to remember that there is no shame in bringing these issues to the attention of the health care system. There is no need to suffer in silence.

Well-woman visits

Today many women's preventive health care services, including mammograms, screenings for cervical cancer, and immunizations, are covered with no cost sharing by UnitedHealthcare for qualifying health plans. Check with your health benefits administrator.

In summary, it is our hope that during this transition period, women will not unnecessarily put off important and timely personally appropriate health decisions until the new guidelines become effective. In consultation with their physicians, we hope that our women customers will review these new guidelines and use them to become more inquisitive about, and more engaged in their own health care decisions.

The content provided is for informational purposes only, and does not constitute medical advice. Members should consult their doctors before making any decisions about medical care. Members should refer to their plan documents for specific benefit coverage and limitations or call the toll-free member phone number on the back of their ID card.