Nationwide, unplanned pregnancies cost the federal government $21 billion in 2010, according to the latest survey data available. CMS believes the increased use of long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), currently the most effective form of birth control, could help reduce government expenditures, according to CMS’ bulletin.
Medicaid patient adoption of LARC methods has been slow. About 11 percent of low-income women on Medicaid used a LARC in 2012, according to CMS.
Patient access to long-acting contraceptives in state Medicaid programs can be hampered by policies related to how LARCs are paid for and how those services are provided, according to CMS. The agency suggests increasing payment rates to physicians for LARC insertions as a way to overcome the products high up-front costs.
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