Equity in STI Testing Act

Summary#

This bill, the Equity in STI Testing Act, requires coverage of screening tests for five sexually transmitted infections: HIV, gonorrhea, syphilis, trichomoniasis, and chlamydia. The bill adds these screenings (and their administration) to covered preventive services or otherwise requires coverage across several federal health programs: Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), TRICARE, Department of Veterans Affairs health care, and Indian Health Service purchased/referred care. Some program sections also prohibit charging cost-sharing (for example, copayments or other charges) for these tests.

What it means for you#

  • If you get coverage through Medicare Advantage: the bill adds these five STI screening tests as additional preventive services under Part B for Medicare Advantage plans. (The change applies to plan years beginning after enactment.)
  • If you are enrolled in Medicaid: the bill requires coverage of these screenings when they would be covered under the referenced preventive service standard, and it removes cost-sharing rules that would apply to those screenings. Many Medicaid changes apply starting about a year after enactment, with a delay allowed if a State must pass legislation.
  • If your child is enrolled in CHIP: CHIP must cover the same STI screenings and remove related cost-sharing for targeted low-income children. Those changes generally take effect about a year after enactment, with a similar state-legislation exception.
  • If you are covered by TRICARE: TRICARE Prime and TRICARE Select must cover these STI screenings when they meet the referenced preventive service standard, and the bill prohibits cost-sharing for those screenings under those plans. TRICARE changes take effect on January 1 after enactment.
  • If you are a veteran enrolled in VA health care: the VA must provide these STI screenings to enrolled veterans and may not require copayments for them. This provision takes effect on January 1 after enactment.
  • If you are an American Indian or Alaska Native receiving care through the Indian Health Service (including Urban Indian Organizations): the HHS Secretary must cover these screenings without cost-sharing. The provision applies to items and services furnished on or after the first day of the calendar year beginning after enactment.

Expenses#

No publicly available information on the bill's estimated costs or budgetary effects. The bill text does not include specific funding amounts or cost estimates.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information in the bill text or metadata that states proponents' arguments or statements.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information in the bill text or metadata that states opponents' arguments or statements.