How to Get an IUD, With or Without Insurance

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When the Supreme Court overturned Rowe v. Wade last week, stripping her of her constitutional right to abortion, Americans took action. People all over the country poured in the money means for abortionstocked up on Plan B and promised on social media to support friends in states hostile to abortion.

And amidst this flurry of activity a tons of people began to study everything they could about IUDs or IUDs.

The IUD is a small T-shaped instrument that is placed inside a person’s uterus. This increasingly popular a method of birth control that is very effective and long-lasting (most IUDs end in about five years, although some are valid for ten years). And for some people living in Kentucky, Texas and other parts of the country s “legislative laws” that criminal abortion at the time Rowe was canceled, getting a Navy has never been more appealing.

However, IUDs can be expensive.

The introduction of an IUD – which requires a visit to the medical office – plus the cost of the actual device can cost up to $ 1,300 out of pocket, according to Planned parenthood. That’s roughly “a full-time monthly salary at the federal minimum wage of $ 7.25 an hour,” writes the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization for reproductive rights. website.

But there are ways to get around this.

Does Navy insurance cover?

The Affordable Care Act, passed by President Barack Obama in 2010, did just that legal requirement for most health plans cover different methods of birth control without cost sharing. This means no surcharges, regardless of whether you have fulfilled your deductible.

According to healthcare.gov, these approved methods include birth control pills, diaphragms, sponges, counseling, sterilization, emergency contraception (Plan B) and, yes, the IUD. At some point in 2014, more than 91% of people received an IUD paid nothing out of pocket.

Here is another topical political debate. When President Donald Trump took office in 2017, he repealed birth control benefits in the Affordable Care Act, making an exception for employers with religious beliefs and / or moral beliefs. The case reached the Supreme Court, which in 2020 confirmed that these employers may refuse to cover contraception costs for workers. (President Joe Biden said he plans to reconsider the situation.)

The Biden administration on Monday wrote a letter reminding sponsors of health plans that they owe Obamacare, which, again, “provides unpaid coverage for birth control and contraception counseling for individuals included in group health plans, as well as group and individual health insurance.” .

It is confirmed that issuers must cover “at least one form of contraception in each category of contraception, as well as contraceptive services or approved, permitted or provided contraceptives that the person and their attending physician have recognized as medically appropriate.” More on that later.

Can you get the Navy for free?

Unfortunately, only because most insurance providers assumed Covering FDA-approved contraceptives, such as IUDs, without cost-sharing, doesn’t mean they actually do. It was part of a letter Monday written by Health Minister Xavier Besser, Finance Minister Janet Yellen and Labor Minister Marty Walsh, saying the government was aware of “troubled and persistent reports of non-compliance” and promised to investigate. them.

Also, you should know that while your health care issuer must cover both types of IUDs – there are hormonal and copper – you are not required to cover every brand of IUD. (Warning: your insurance does should help you get a waiver if your doctor recommends another brand of IUD based on your health history or potential side effects, as they may vary in size and dosage.)

To determine if your insurance only covers a specific brand of Navy, contact your supplier directly.

Mirena has specific instructions to do this on its website: call the number on the back of your insurance card. When you contact a representative, say that Mirena is a “birth control method guided by health professionals” and “ask them to check if Mirena is covered free of charge under the Affordable Care Act”.

A paraguard that gives similar guidance on his website, notes that if your insurance says the IUD is not medical care, it may still qualify as pharmacy assistance. To find out, call the number on the back of your prescription card.

How to afford a Navy without insurance

You can still get IUDs even if you don’t have health insurance – and you may not have to pay the entire bill. To get started, contact your local clinics, hospitals and medical centers, including planned parenting offices, to find out if you are eligible for the sliding scale payment program, where the cost of your IUD is tied to your income level. You can also check Medicaidwhich helps low-income Americans with medical expenses.

GoodRx recommends also look for whether there is a public health center or clinic near you that is registered with 340B, a drug pricing program that offers the Navy at a reduced rate.

Some IUD brands also have free patient saving programs that can help you get your IUD at a discount. For Kyleen, Mirena, and Skyla, call or visit the Bayer U.S. Patient Care Foundation at 1-866-228-7723 website.

Still need help? Contact the CoverHer team at National Center for Women’s Lawthat will help you understand what your next steps are – free. His phone number is 1-866-745-5487, and his email address is [email protected]