Women’s Health

I heard there is a new birth control pill available over the counter. Are Marketplace plans required to cover it?

In 2024, a new daily birth control pill called Opill became available for over-the-counter (OTC) purchase without a prescription from a health care provider.

Although Marketplace plans are required to cover birth control pills, most plans require a prescription in order for them to be covered. Without a prescription, you will likely have to pay out of pocket. If you want your plan to cover your OTC birth control pills, ask your health care provider to write you a prescription for them, take the prescription to a pharmacy, and ask them to bill your insurance. Some states (CA, CO, MD, NJ, NM, NY, and WA) require Marketplace plans to cover OTC birth control without a prescription and many states permit pharmacists to write prescriptions for certain types of birth control. Check your health plan information, state insurance department, or pharmacy for more information.

While we have made every effort to provide accurate information in these FAQs, people should contact the health insurance Marketplace or Medicaid agency in their state for guidance on their specific circumstances.

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