The rules affecting student health plans are complicated and depend on the type of plan your college or university may offer. If your student health plan is fully-insured (most are), it should cover all FDA-approved, cleared or granted contraceptive methods for women, as prescribed, without cost sharing. However, if your college or university has a religious or moral objection to providing contraceptive coverage, your plan might not include contraceptive coverage.

If your college has a self-funded health plan, then it is not subject to requirements under the Affordable Care Act, including covering contraceptives with no cost sharing. Check with your your college or university to find out what type of student health plan they offer, or  check with your state insurance regulator to find out what rules apply to your student health coverage.  

You may have other coverage options. If you are under 26, you should check if you are eligible as a dependent on your parent’s health plan.

You can also consider buying insurance coverage on your own through the Marketplace. If your income is at least 100% of the federal poverty level and you meet other requirements, you can qualify for premium tax credits; if your income is between 100% and 250% of the federal poverty level, you can also qualify for cost sharing reductions. 

Alternatively, you might be eligible for Medicaid. Check with your state Marketplace to find out if you meet the income and other eligibility standards to enroll in Medicaid coverage. Finally, people of any age may be able to get free or reduced cost contraceptive services from certain family planning clinics. Check with a family planning clinic for more information and to see if you may qualify.