Coverage of over-the-counter birth control pill announced

paid for by the candidate The Office of the Superintendent of Insurance has confirmed that New Mexico insurance carriers are providing coverage for Opill, the first over-the-counter birth control pill approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

On July 13, 2023, the FDA approved the first over-thecounter birth control pill, Opill. The FDA's approval of Opill allows consumers to obtain this contraceptive over-the-counter at pharmacies, according to a news release.

New Mexico health insurance carriers are required to cover the cost of certain over-the-counter contraceptives purchased at in-network pharmacies and to create a reimbursement process for out-ofnetwork pharmacies, the release stated. On March 4, 2024, Opill became available over-the-counter in the United States. Now, New Mexico's private policyholders can obtain Opill on the same basis as other over-the-counter contraceptive methods at no cost and without a prescription.

"OSI supports New Mexico's commitment to expanding access to reproductive health and reproductive rights," said Superintendent of Insurance Alice Kane. OSI's announcement follows the New Mexico Human Services Department's decision to cover Opill on Medicaid.

The private health plans covering Opill described in this release are those that are regulated by OSI in the individual, small group, and large group markets. OSI does not have authority over other types of health coverage, such as self-funded employer health plans, Medicare or TRICARE.

New Mexicans covered under private health plans can file a complaint online at osi.state.nm.us/pages/misc/mhcb-complaint or by contacting Gurrattanpal "Mickey" Singh at gurrat [email protected].