Amy Gordon and Susan Nash Discuss Health Coverage for Abortion in The New York Times

Employee Benefits Partners Amy Gordon and Susan Nash sat down with The New York Times to discuss how health coverage for abortion care and services will be impacted by the Dobbs v. Jackson Supreme Court ruling. Given the ruling, state of residency and place of employment are critical factors for those who may seek abortion services.

“People with financial resources will find ways to get the treatment they want or need,” Susan said. “But the people who can’t travel or have limited means to access treatment outside of the health plan will be adversely impacted.”

When asked about privacy should an abortion patient use their health plan coverage, “[if] there is a criminal statute in the state you live in, you need to be concerned,” Amy told The Times, adding that out-of-state prosecution will be dependent on the aggressiveness of prosecutors.

Amy also noted that private medical and billing records can be released in response to a warrant or subpoena. “An employer that sponsors a group health plan can argue this is protected health information, and therefore it should not be turned over,” she said. “However, this is not bulletproof. There are provisions in HIPAA that permit disclosure to law enforcement seeking to enforce the law.”

Read the full article here.