U.S. insurance coverage of contraceptives and the impact of contraceptive coverage mandates, 2002.
BACKGROUND
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 injectables, 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.
Sonfield
Adam
A
The Alan Guttmacher Institute, New York, NY, USA. asonfield@guttmacher.org
Gold
Rachel Benson
RB
Frost
Jennifer J
JJ
Darroch
Jacqueline E
JE
D003267:Contraception / Q000191:economics*; D003270:Contraceptive Agents / Q000191:economics*; D016656:Family Planning Policy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005193:Family Planning Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000592:standards*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D019458:Insurance Coverage / Q000592:standards; D008297:Male; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D013221:State Health Plans / Q000592:standards; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States
D003270:Contraceptive Agents