In May 2015, the federal government clarified that ACA-compliant plans must cover at least one type of each of the 18-FDA approved methods for women as prescribed by a provider. There are three vaginal rings available: the NuvaRing, the generic EluRyng, and Annovera.  Your plan should cover at least one of the vaginal rings without cost sharing.  Future federal guidance may clarify whether Annovera is a different category of contraceptives than the NuvaRing and the EluRyng, which would means plans would need to cover Annovera without cost sharing.

If your plan does not cover the specific vaginal ring you need, ask your provider to help you request a “waiver” or “exception” from the insurance company.  The “waiver” or “exception” would allow you to use the ring your doctor recommends with no co-payment.  If your plan does not cover any vaginal rings without cost sharing, you should file an appeal with your insurance plan; or contact your State Department of Insurance (if you are enrolled in an individual plan) or the Federal Department of Labor (if you are enrolled in a plan through your employer.)

If you are enrolled in an employer plan, and the employer has a religious or moral objection to contraceptives, your plan may not include contraceptive coverage.

Short-term health insurance policies do not have to provide benefits required by the ACA and may not cover preventive services, including contraceptive services.  Health care sharing ministries, which are membership groups usually affiliated with a religion that help members pay for health care (not insurance), are also not subject to ACA benefit requirements.