Know Your Reproductive Rights: Are you paying for birth control?
Bilateral Salpingectomy | Lydia Makepeace
On December 29, 2016, I had my Fallopian tubes completely removed (bilateral salpingectomy) because I've decided to remain child free. It feels like a great burden has been lifted and it's one of the best decisions I've ever made. In the coming weeks, I'll be writing about why I made this choice, what the procedure was like, and how I've battled my insurance company for the coverage I am rightfully owed by law.
I am passionate about reproductive rights and believe that women cannot achieve equality without gaining control over our own bodies. Below you'll find information about how to obtain no-cost birth control.
Are you paying for birth control?
The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) requires most insurance plans to cover all FDA approved methods of contraception for women. By law, insurance plans must cover contraceptive pills, rings, patches, shots, implants, intrauterine devices (IUD) and sterilization procedures AT NO COST to women.
If you’re being charged a co-pay or deductible for birth control or sterilization check to see if your insurance plan is ACA compliant. Your insurance may be incorrectly charging you.
RESOURCES
National Women’s Law Center | www.CoverHer.org
The National Women’s Law Center offers free help for getting no-cost birth control. Their website provides information to help determine if your insurance company is incorrectly charging you, and how to talk to them about it. For free assistance call 1-866-745-5487 or email coverher@nwlc.org
Your State’s Insurance Commission | www.naic.org
If your insurance company tries to deny you complete cost free coverage, contact your state’s insurance commission. This office is responsible for ensuring that insurance companies operating in your state comply with the law. To file a complaint go to www.naic.org/state_web_map.htm and click on your state.