Health Insurance May Be Restricted

Some health insurance plans are affiliated with religious entities. When this is the case, the plan may restrict what services it pays for, according to what is allowed by religious teaching.

For example, Fidelis Care New York is a Catholic-sponsored health care plan that provides coverage for many low-income New Yorkers through its participation in the Medicaid, Family Health Plus and Child Health Plus programs subsidized by the state of New York. Currently available in 35 counties in New York State, Fidelis does not cover contraception, sterilization or abortion services.

Women who become enrolled in Fidelis care may not be aware of these restrictions, especially if they have been “auto-enrolled” in Fidelis by the state after having been unable to choose a health plan themselves. Women in the Medicaid version of Fidelis Care can still receive reproductive services, but must use their regular Medicaid cards and find a provider willing to accept it.

Health insurance coverage may also be limited by the employer. If an employer is religiously-affiliated (such as a Catholic hospital or a Baptist social services agency), the employees may find that their health insurance does not cover such services as abortion, infertility treatments or even birth control. The employees must then cover these medical costs out of their own pockets.