There was a time when many health insurance plans did not cover contraceptives, so women often went without them. As a part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), President Obama signed a birth control mandate into law in 2011. Since the birth control mandate came into effect, women have incurred fewer out-of-pocket expenses for contraceptives.
You should know the following about the birth control mandate:
Birth control costs were previously covered out of pocket alongside women's health insurance premiums and deductibles. The ACA mandated that insurance companies cover contraceptive methods and counseling even if women hadn't met their deductibles after the birth control mandate was signed into law.
In its effort to increase women's access to contraceptives, the Affordable Care Act required contraceptive coverage without out-of-pocket costs. Nevertheless, you should be aware that insurance companies can still charge you a copay or deductible if you need a brand-name drug. Typically, a generic version is available.
ACA covers virtually all conventional methods of birth control, including all FDA-approved methods prescribed by a woman's healthcare provider, such as:
In addition, your insurance company should cover follow-up visits with your healthcare provider. Managing or discussing side effects of your birth control or other hormonal method, or removing an IUD, falls under this category.
Embracing religious nonprofits that oppose contraceptive coverage was built into the mandate from the beginning. According to the case of Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, this exception was extended to all types of religious employers in 2014. The birth control mandate has now been amended to allow employers with religious affiliations to opt out based on their religious beliefs. As a result, these religious employers would notify the Health and Human Services (HHS) of their opposition. Their employees would no longer need to be covered by birth control insurance.
The Trump administration expanded this exemption in October 2017. In the new law, almost any organization can opt out of the birth control mandate. Religious organizations are not the only ones. They can refuse to provide contraceptive coverage as long as they believe it violates their religious beliefs or moral convictions. This new rule also eliminates the requirement that these employers notify the government. Employees must now be notified when their health insurance plans change.
A company can also refuse to cover contraception if it violates its moral beliefs or religious beliefs. The cost of contraception for women whose employers do not provide health and contraception coverage is now covered out of pocket. This loophole has been exploited by organizations and insurance companies without religious convictions to avoid paying for birth control.
The birth control mandate does not apply to grandfathered plans. ACA-grandfathered plans are those purchased before the law was enacted. Birth control coverage is also available to insurance companies in this category. As a result of the Affordable Care Act, they don't have to provide the new rights, benefits, and protections. Those who are on grandfathered health insurance plans can switch to plans that cover birth control. Be sure that your new health plan covers a particular form of birth control.
If you do not have insurance coverage for birth control, the cost can be quite high. You can still get birth control or other women's healthcare without health insurance, and sometimes it's even free.
A major objective of the Affordable Care Act is to expand Medicaid. In addition to providing full coverage of family planning, Medicaid also provides access to women's health care and contraception coverage.
Nonetheless, Medicaid plans vary from state to state in terms of what services they offer. Generally, you can choose from birth control methods like intrauterine devices (IUDs), diaphragms, or tubes tied. In contrast, over-the-counter methods like oral contraceptives and sponges are less commonly covered.
Women can receive free health care if they do not qualify for Medicaid. The most common of these are birth control and emergency contraception (Plan B). There are a wide variety of these clinics, from large public health centers like Planned Parenthood to smaller, free birth control clinics. A variety of birth control methods are available free or at a low cost at Planned Parenthood locations. There are even some companies that offer payment plans and sliding scales based on your income level.
You can also request free birth control by contacting your local health department. In some clinics affiliated with your local health department, you can get birth control at a reduced cost or apply for free programs.
