title: Implications of dispensing self-administered hormonal contraceptives in a 1-year supply: a California case study.
abstract: On September 23, 2016, California became the sixth state to pass legislation requiring health plans and insurers to cover a 12-month supply of FDA-approved self-administered hormonal contraceptives such as contraceptive pills, patches and vaginal rings. This legislation is estimated to result in 38% of current contraceptive pill, patch, and ring users receiving a 12-month supply dispensed at one time. This shift in dispensing patterns was estimated to result in a reduction of 15,000 unintended pregnancies; 2000 fewer miscarriages; and 7000 fewer abortions in California decreasing total net health care expenditures by 0.03%. With similar legislation introduced in 17 states, the findings from this study are important for consideration outside of California.
authors.affiliation: University of California, San Diego, Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, 9500 Gilman Drive #0725, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0725, USA. Electronic address: smcmenamin@ucsd.edu.
authors.forename: Sara B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: McMenamin
authors.affiliation: Cal State Fullerton, Department of Health Science, California State University, 800 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton, CA, 92831, USA. Electronic address: scharles@fullerton.edu.
authors.forename: Shana Alex
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Charles
authors.affiliation: University of California, San Diego, Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, 9500 Gilman Drive #0725, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0725, USA. Electronic address: natabata@ucsd.edu.
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tabatabaeepour
authors.affiliation: California Health Benefits Review Program, University of California, Office of the President, 1111 Broadway St., Oakland, CA, 94607, USA. Electronic address: Erin.Shigekawa@ucop.edu.
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Shigekawa
authors.affiliation: California Health Benefits Review Program, University of California, Office of the President, 1111 Broadway St., Oakland, CA, 94607, USA. Electronic address: Garen.Corbett@ucop.edu.
authors.forename: Garen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Corbett
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D002140:California; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics*; D003274:Contraceptive Devices, Female / Q000191:economics; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016527:Drug Costs; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007349:Insurance, Health, Reimbursement / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D007880:Legislation, Drug; D011247:Pregnancy; D049168:Pregnancy, Unplanned; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000191:economics*; D012646:Self Administration; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal; D055553:Prescription Drugs
keywords: Insurance coverage; Oral contraceptives; Projections; Supply