Large companies are paying better attention to the health-care needs of their female employees in their policies, programs and coverage, says a survey by the non-profit orgaization Washington Business Group on Health, a non-profit organization.
“We think it’s encouraging companies are looking at the unique health needs of women to keep women healthy and productive,” says Veronica Goff, a director for the organization.
More than 200 large employers responded to the survey, which shows that coverage for Pap smears and mammograms is offered by nearly 90 percent of preferred provider organization plans, or PPOs. Health maintenance organizations provide coverage for prenatal care in 88 percent of the companies, with 54 percent of the companies with an HMO plan covering fertility evaluation costs. HMO for 74 percent of the companies covered treatment for depression.
“We know women are half of the labor force and they have more acute and chronic conditions,” says Goff. “We need to look at how we provide for women as employers and providers.”
