Over one in four employers is exploring the expansion of covered abortion services, according to a new report from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans. The Post-Dobbs Employer Coverage: July 2022 Pulse Survey revealed current abortion coverage offerings and future considerations. When asked about making changes to current coverage for abortion services, employers responded with the following:

  • No changes to current coverage levels – 46%
  • Don’t know/wait and see – 26%
  • Exploring expansion of covered abortion services – 26%
  • Unable to make plan changes due to appliable legal requirements – 2%

Less than 1% said they are exploring a reduction in or elimination of covered abortion services.

From legal complexities to impact on worker recruitment/retention, many employers are grappling with concerns resulting from the Supreme Court Dobbs decision, including:

  • Legal ramifications – 35%
  • Managing worker expectations – 15%
  • Administrative complexity – 13%
  • Impact on worker recruitment/retention – 7%
  • Additional costs – 6%
  • Potential reputation/public relations issues – 5%
  • Coordinating multiple plans – 2%

Other cited concerns include employee health ramifications, future division amongst workers, mental health impacts, religious-based plans and confusion about whether to provide travel and lodging per IRS guidelines.

Regarding abortion services, employers reported currently covering:

  • Non-elective/medically necessary services – 73%
  • Elective/nonmedically necessary services – 60%
  • Medications – 52%
  • Telehealth – 32%
  • Travel to location where services are performed – 10%
  • Lodging near location where services are performed – 9%

For more information on the Post-Dobbs Employer Coverage: July 2022 Pulse Survey results, visit www.ifebp.org/dobbsimpact

Staff

Recommended Posts

The State of Multiemployer Health Plans: Ten Takeaways

Justin Held, CEBS
 

The median cost of benefits for multiemployer health plans increased 4.7% from 2017 to 2018, reaching $11,642 per participant per year (PPPY), according to a new International Foundation report. The consistent increases in costs over the ten-year period required increases in employer […]

Where We Are Now: Special Financial Assistance Under the American Rescue Plan Act

Kathy Bergstrom, CEBS
 

From capital market return expectations to the rules that cover the program, a lot has changed in the two years since the American Rescue Plan Act was signed into law and created the Special Financial Assistance (SFA) program for struggling multiemployer pension […]

Education Benefits for Recruiting and Building Talent

Anne Patterson
 

Could education benefits help your organization recruit and retain talent? Tune into the latest Talking Benefits episode to get “schooled” on the various options available to employers in this area. The episode covers: Give it a listen to find out how your […]