Advancing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
 
Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health
Volume 36, Number 2, March/April 2004

U.S. Insurance Coverage of Contraceptives and the Impact Of Contraceptive Coverage Mandates, 2002

By Adam Sonfield, Rachel Benson Gold, Jennifer J. Frost
and Jacqueline E. Darroch

CONTEXT: In 1993, coverage of reversible contraception by U.S. health insurance plans was extremely low. Little is known about how coverage has changed since then, particularly in response to state mandates.

METHODS: In 2001-2002, a nationally representative sample of 205 health care insurers responded to a survey about coverage of reproductive health care services in "typical" employment-based managed care plans (excluding self-insured plans). Data were analyzed to compare coverage in states with and without contraceptive coverage mandates, and to show trends in coverage between 1993 and 2002.

RESULTS: In 2002, almost every reversible contraceptive service and supply studied was covered by at least 89% of typical plans; 86% of plans covered the five leading prescription methods (the diaphragm, one- and three-month inject-ables, the IUD and oral contraceptives). Coverage of each contraceptive service and supply studied was higher in 2002 than in 1993 (78-97% vs. 32-59%). Plans in states with mandates were significantly more likely to cover the five leading prescription methods (87-92%, depending on type of plan) than were those designed locally in states without mandates (47-61%). Between 1993 and 2002, state mandates were estimated to account for 30% and 40% of the increase in coverage of oral contraceptives and the three-month injectable, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: Coverage of reversible contraception—and by extension, choice within a range of covered methods—has increased substantially since 1993, in part because of state mandates. This state-by-state approach, however, has inherent limitations that can best be dealt with at the federal level.

Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 2004, 36(2):72-79

DOI:10.1363/3607204







 

 
 

Adam Sonfield is public policy associate and Rachel Benson Gold is director of policy analysis, both at The Alan Guttmacher Institute (AGI), Washington D.C. Jennifer J. Frost is senior research associate, and at the time this article was written, Jacqueline E. Darroch was senior vice president and vice president for science, both at AGI, New York.