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A
health plan with good contraceptive coverage should:
1. Cover all FDA-approved prescription
methods, including
— Prescription Barrier Methods:
- Diaphragms and Cervical Caps
— Hormonal:
- Norplant®
(No longer available, but women who are using Norplant
may continue to do so.)
- Depo-Provera®
- The Patch (Ortho Evra®)
- The Ring (NuvaRing®)
- The Pill
— IUDs
— Emergency Contraception
2. Cover annual
office visits with an obstetrician or gynecologist for counseling
on contraception, sexually transmitted infections and pap
smears
3. Require only
the co-payments or deductibles that apply to other medical
services
4. Protect your
confidentiality
(Adapted from the web site
of Planned Parenthood of America - www.plannedparenthood.org)
The quick fix on contraceptive equity
There is generally no positive language in health insurance
plans when contraception is covered -- the problem is when it is
excluded.
However, contract/health plan language could be: "All FDA approved
contraceptives and related services shall be covered to the same extent,
and on the same terms, as all other drugs, devices and services." |
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