By tf-lawyer.com The only FDA-approved over-the-counter contraceptive currently available is Opill, produced by Perrigo Co. On October 21, the White House announced that the Biden administration is proposing changes to healthcare regulations to allow women with private insurance to access over-the-counter contraceptives at no cost.
This proposal, put forward jointly by the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury, aims to expand the scope of preventive services under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), informally known as “Obamacare.” If approved, this regulation will take effect in 2025, requiring insurance companies to cover the costs of contraceptives.
According to Jennifer Klein, chair of the White House Gender Policy Council, the revised regulations will greatly benefit a significant number of women. Approximately 52 million women of reproductive age with private insurance will stand to gain.
“This will mark the first time in history that women will be able to access over-the-counter contraceptives without out-of-pocket expenses,” Klein stated. “Insurance companies will be required to cover the full cost of more prescription contraceptives, relieving policyholders from any shared expenses.”
In addition to Opill, the Biden administration plans to expand coverage to include other contraceptive methods sold at pharmacies, such as the emergency contraceptive Plan B, spermicide, contraceptive sponges, and condoms.
The new regulation also includes all FDA-approved contraceptives and certain devices, such as intrauterine devices (IUDs), with costs primarily borne by health insurance companies, so that policyholders will not have to share expenses.
All health plans must fully cover every FDA-approved contraceptive and comprehensive contraceptive methods, including those using IUDs, unless treatment coverage is specified in the insurance plan. In such cases, the plan must clearly disclose if any over-the-counter contraceptives or prescription-only contraceptives will require cost-sharing from the insured.
This announcement from the federal government comes just two weeks ahead of the elections and aims to support countless women. After the Supreme Court overturned women’s autonomous abortion rights in 2022, reproductive rights have become a significant topic in the election campaign. One of the key messages from Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris centers around making abortion more accessible for women.
