Free Birth Control

The Affordable Care Act

The Affordable Care Act is the new healthcare reform bill that was passed by Congress in 2010. Under this new law, effective January 1, 2013, private health insurance plans are required to offer birth control without copays or deductibles. Some insurance companies are offering this service now while others are not required to comply until later on in 2013 (“grandfathered plans”). To find out when your coverage for birth control kicks in, please call the number for member services on the back of your insurance card.

Copays and Deductibles

While all TYPES of birth control are free, some BRANDS of birth control may still require a copay or deductible. Health insurance plans can require a patient to chose a generic alternative if available. Brand name drugs will still be available to patients but may require a copay or deductible depending upon your insurance plan. This mostly applies to oral contraceptive pills. Please call the number for member services on the back of your insurance card to verify your coverage. Some insurance plans provided by employers with certain religious affiliations are exempt from this law and not required to provide free contraceptive coverage.

What's Covered

The following is a list of contraceptive options that are covered under the new law:

• Generic Oral Contraceptive Pills
• Some Branded Oral Contraceptive Pills
• Ortho Evra Patch
• Nuvaring
• Depo Provera
• Nexplanon subdermal implant
• Intrauterine Devices:
• Paragard
• Mirena
• Skyla
• Essure Tubal Ligation (including the confirmatory HSG test)
• Laparoscopic Tubal Ligation
• Diaphragms
• Cervical Caps
• Sponges
• Spermicides

Additional Information

The following link provides some additional information in regards to the new Affordable Care Act: www.hrsa.gov/womensguidelines