ext_326266 ([identity profile] mustangracer.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] vaginapagina2012-07-12 08:48 pm
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$0 Cost Birth Control (US)

I just received the best news ever from my insurance company (United HealthCare). They stated as part of the "Heath Care Reform", EFFECTIVE AUGUST 1ST, they will be providing a number of birth control brands FREE OF CHARGE!

And my brand, Yasim, is on the list!!!

I am so excited! I've battled with them for 2 years because they would NOT pay anything on my prescription for Yasmin in the past. I've paid anywhere from $85 to $40 a month for this medicine and now it's FREEE!

They have 6 brand names, 15 generics, 3 emergency contraceptives and are even including diaphragms!

This is AMAZING!

<---- doing the happydance!
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[identity profile] quietchildae.livejournal.com 2012-07-13 04:15 am (UTC)(link)
Would you happen to have a copy of that list? I've not seen one and I'm curious :)

[identity profile] quietchildae.livejournal.com 2012-07-13 04:38 am (UTC)(link)
I'm pretty low on reading comprehension tonight - is this for a specific insurance company? I can't find anything about this on my insurance website, but I come back to *low reading comprehension*, so maybe I should return to it tomorrow.

[identity profile] fortunaestcaeca.livejournal.com 2012-07-13 04:54 am (UTC)(link)
Yes, it's for United Healthcare.

[identity profile] frolicnaked.livejournal.com 2012-07-13 05:05 am (UTC)(link)
Sadly, what I've found is that a number of insurance providers consider Nuva Ring a "lifestyle" or "convenience" medication, as there are technically other types of hormonal contraception (e.g., most brands of pills) that fill the same basic function (contraception) for fewer dollars.

When I was on it, my insurance made the claim that the only substantive benefit of Nuva Ring was the "convenience" of only needing to remember the ring twice a month (once out, once in) rather than needing to remember a pill 21 times a month. They did not acknowledge -- when I made my first and only** appeal -- that: 1) NuvaRing is in itself a unique combination of synthetic estrogen and progestin unavailable in any other brand or generic; 2) for some people, the delivery mechanism (bypassing the GI system) was a significant contributor to efficacy; 3) for some people, the dosing regimen (21 days in, 7 days out) was a significant contributor to effectiveness. But, I mean, 1-3 are all true, and I sympathize.

** I did not love NuvaRing, so when they rejected my first appeal, I was like, "So... genericpills?"

[identity profile] platinumpinup.livejournal.com 2012-07-13 05:16 am (UTC)(link)
Thanks for keeping me informed!:) I've gone through most generic/brand BCP and just about all of them give me terrible side effects. Nuvaring kinda saved me from all that. I don't have any issues with it myself. I have an insurance that's free through the state right now, and I'm worried that the new policies will affect me in a negative way. :/

[identity profile] charissa.livejournal.com 2012-07-13 03:11 pm (UTC)(link)
hopefully the nuvaring will be covered soon.

I just moved from Canada to the US and was shocked how the price tag went from $18 to $84 a ring. WTF - something is not right with US prescription pricing.

[identity profile] misspaigeb.livejournal.com 2012-07-13 03:13 pm (UTC)(link)
Agreed, it's fucking highway robbery. Also the patent doesn't go up until 2018 or something so no hope for a generic any time soon. -___-

[identity profile] platinumpinup.livejournal.com 2012-07-13 03:39 pm (UTC)(link)
No, I agree. It's not right at all.

[identity profile] misspaigeb.livejournal.com 2012-07-13 03:02 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah, but from what I understand insurance companies WILL eventually have to cover *all* contraceptives without copay when this part of the reform is implemented (not quite sure when that is...). It seems that some are just voluntarily transitioning now beforehand.

[identity profile] atalanta0jess.livejournal.com 2012-07-13 09:12 pm (UTC)(link)
"Contraceptives are part of a package of women’s preventive health care services under the Affordable Care Act -- including screening for diabetes, counseling about sexually transmitted diseases and breast feeding support -- that must be provided without deductibles or co-pays in all new policies beginning Aug. 1" (http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Stories/2012/February/27/five-questions-health-law-mandate-birth-control.aspx)

I'm not sure what "all new policies" means...like, my policy just got renewed, so maybe I have to wait until next summer when it is renewed again to get free BC? That part's confusing to me. (And anyway, I won't be getting it because my employer is a religious exception or whatever, boo.)

In any case, *something* kicks into effect on Aug. 1!

[identity profile] misspaigeb.livejournal.com 2012-07-13 09:15 pm (UTC)(link)
It's confusing for me too. Having it go into effect once someone renews their policy does seem like it would be an easier transition on the insurance company, but I don't know either.

[identity profile] fortunaestcaeca.livejournal.com 2012-07-13 09:22 pm (UTC)(link)
"I'm not sure what "all new policies" means...like, my policy just got renewed, so maybe I have to wait until next summer when it is renewed again to get free BC?"

Yes, that's what it means. Policies that start on or after August 1 will have to include the contraceptives and preventive care without copay or deductible.

[identity profile] atalanta0jess.livejournal.com 2012-07-13 09:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Cool. I wish my employer wasn't exempted. Boohoooo. :(

[identity profile] leigh710.livejournal.com 2012-07-13 04:04 pm (UTC)(link)
I need it because oral pills give me almost daily migraines. My doctor sent in information to the insurance company to let them know if was a medical necessity and not for my convenience.
They still don't cover it at all and now I have to get the doctor's office to call in once a year to get it "approved" since it's for a medical reason. Seriously? Punished and no help in price! argh!

Birth Control Contraception, Affordable Healthcare Act

[identity profile] becca jane rubinfeld (from livejournal.com) 2012-08-05 08:43 am (UTC)(link)
I am going threw this right now with my privet insurance company (Regency out of WA state). I wish some one could help explain my legal rights under the affordable healthcare act. As far as I understand its all FDA approved contraceptives including vaginal rings, if a generic brand is available then that's the one my insurance company can chooses to provided me for free. But as there are not generic brand vaginal rings only the Nuvaring I think they have to pay for it. They say its not "preferred by them" but its preferred by me, how my body feels and what my doctor recommended. I have been on the pill before for years and some of the side affects I was getting were to much for me so I switched to the Nuvaring and have been happy. I am fighting them on the issue, wish me luck.

Re: Birth Control Contraception, Affordable Healthcare Act

[identity profile] platinumpinup.livejournal.com 2012-08-06 02:00 am (UTC)(link)
Good luck! Keep us up to date. ;)

Re: Birth Control Contraception, Affordable Healthcare Act

[identity profile] becca jane rubinfeld (from livejournal.com) 2012-08-19 06:33 am (UTC)(link)
An update:
Good News as my insurance company got back to me and have apologized for the confusion and have agreed to cover my Nuva Ring 100%. I just picked up my first fee one the other day at the pharmacy and it felt like such a relief to have my my privet insurance company finally pay for something. This will really help ease my mouthy budget saving me 85 dollars a mouth! I felt respected and taken seriously as an independent women who knows her own body best by being able to pick my choice method of contraception.
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