Did you know that the ACA’s contraceptive coverage mandate means that all new health insurance plans have to cover contraceptive care without charging anything extra – like a co-pay or deductible? That’s the law plain and simple – however, too many insurers are still imposing restrictions on a woman’s preferred method of contraceptive.

Some of the most common types of contraceptive coverage restrictions women experience include denying no co-pay coverage of patches and rings and covering only one type of IUD.  Additionally, some plans do not cover all types of emergency contraceptive pills.

In fact, a recently released Kaiser Family Foundation report which reviewed 20 insurers found that only a handful provided no co-pay coverage of all methods and most restricted coverage of at least one method.

Through our Raising Women’s Voices project, we have been working with allies to encourage the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to better enforce the ACA’s contraceptive coverage mandate. All methods means all methods!

Our work on this issue will continue as we seek to ensure that poor women, women of color and LGBTQ women receive the full benefits of access to contraception without additional fees. If you or someone you know has recently been denied access to a contraceptive – we would love to hear from you! Please take a moment to share your story with us at ShareYourStory@nwhn.org and help raise awareness on this important issue.

Cindy Pearson was the NWHN’s Executive Director from 1996 to 2021. One of the nation’s leading advocates for women’s health, Cindy often testified before Congress,  NIH and the FDA and was frequently featured in the news as a consumer expert on women’s health issues. When she retired, Cindy received a Congressional Resolution in honor of her outstanding contributions to the health of women and girls.