Ms. Nolan argues that despite coverage protections for 72 million women of reproductive age, insurers and pharmacy benefit managers limit coverage by requiring members to try some contraceptives before others are covered.
This strategy — in tandem with high copays and “burdensome” management techniques — places undue pressure on women looking to access coverage for approved contraceptives, Ms. Nolan writes.
Women try 3.4 contraceptive methods on average, Ms. Nolan wrote, and insurers; red tape interferes with a personal decision between a patient and their healthcare provider.
When the ACA’s contraceptive protections were widely accepted following its rollout, Ms. Nolan said the law saved women $1.4 billion in out-of-pocket costs in its first year. Now, payer resistance is limiting these savings.
“These barriers are extremely cumbersome for women,” Ms. Nolan said. “They will also inevitably lead to unintended pregnancies — a significant and costly public health issue — and of course, impact women’s lives. Women need access to their provider-recommended contraceptive method at no cost, expeditiously, without barriers and in keeping with the law.”
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