At the time, I was completing my medical residency in a Midwestern state. I knew I wanted to have kids soonish — but not just yet. My five-year IUD was approaching its expiration date, and I didn’t want another long-acting contraceptive in case I decided to get pregnant in the next five years. I looked for a method like the IUD that I wouldn’t have to think about daily, that wouldn’t require frequent prescription refills or healthcare visits, and would prevent pregnancy.
Contraception is not only used for family planning, but it can also be prescribed for other purposes, such as to regulate hormones or alleviate painful periods. Likewho use contraception each year for a variety of reasons beyond family planning, I found contraception helpful to manage my migraine attacks. Some insurers who reject a woman’s contraceptive method of choice tell them and their providers to find an equivalent method, such as a generic version of a branded drug.
While I found out I could attempt to appeal the denial, finding the time to fight an insurance company is a luxury that I and many women don’t have. As a medical student, I was trying to juggle the end of my residency, caring for my patients and moving to a new state to start my practice. I didn’t have a lot of free time to go back and forth with an insurer.
I’m joining the larger fight to make sure the federal government holds insurance companies and pharmacy benefit managers accountable for not complying with the law. The government has taken a good first step bythat govern the contraceptive access rules in the ACA. I’d like to see greater enforcement for companies that don’t comply. For years, there have been no consequences for companies despite the fact that they’re violating the law.