In Light of Upcoming SCOTUS Decision, Mich. Gov. Whitmer, State Leaders Educate Michiganders About Availability of No-Cost Contraception With Most Insurance Plans

LANSING, Michigan, June 24 -- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, D-Michigan, issued the following news release:

Ahead of the Supreme Court's opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson, Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) have launched a new consumer website to help Michigan women understand insurance coverage for contraception and other related reproductive health services.

"At some point in her life, nearly every woman will use contraception to either treat a health condition or for family planning purposes. These treatments have never been more important for women's health and it's our goal to make them affordable and accessible," said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. "In light of the upcoming U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs, we are doing all we can to make sure that contraception and other reproductive health services remain accessible to the Michiganders who count on them I will work with anyone to keep women safe and help them plan their families on their own terms."

"Under the Affordable Care Act, nearly all health plans are required to cover contraception and related health care services for women with no out-of-pocket cost," said DIFS Director Anita Fox. "DIFS stands ready to assist Michiganders with questions or complaints about coverage for reproductive health services. For more information, visit the new DIFS contraception website or call DIFS at 877-999-6442, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m."

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has taken actions recently to support reproductive health. They include:

* Seeking and receiving approval from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to extend the postpartum coverage period for Medicaid in Michigan from 60 days following pregnancy to a full year, starting in April 2022.

* Updating Medicaid policy to provider coverage of up to a 12-month supply of prescribed contraceptives for enrollees at either family planning clinics or pharmacies.

* Proposing policy that would establish Medicaid coverage of doula services, contingent upon approval by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Doulas are trained birth workers who provide non-clinical emotional, physical and informational support to pregnant people and their families before, during, and after birth.

* Expanding access to evidence-based home visiting programs to better address health, housing, food security and safety during pregnancy and postpartum.

"MDHHS works tirelessly to provide medical coverage and services to the people of Michigan to help them live their healthiest lives," said MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel. "Access to affordable or no -cost contraception is vitally important when it comes to providing reproductive health care services to enable women to plan for pregnancy at a time that works best for themselves and their family."

Contraception is widely used to treat medical conditions such as endometriosis, to treat certain symptoms of menstruation, as well as for family planning purposes for people who do not wish to become pregnant or those for whom pregnancy may pose a medical risk. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), non-exempt health plans must provide, with no out-of-pocket cost, at least one type of each of the 18 contraceptive methods currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as prescribed to women by a health care provider. Related health services, such as an office visit for a contraceptive shot, must also be covered.

Though contraception is provided without cost by most health plans, there are certain circumstances where you may have to pay for these treatments, including:

* If you prefer a type or brand of contraceptive that is not currently covered by your insurer;

* If you use a health care professional that is not in your plan's network;

* If your health insurance is provided by an exempted institution or company;

* If your health plan is considered a "grandfathered" plan, generally those sold before the ACA was enacted on March 23, 2010. Grandfathered plans are not required to provide coverage for contraception.

For information about low- or no-cost reproductive health services provided by the State of Michigan, including under the state's Medicaid program, visit the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services' Family Planning Program website.

DIFS can help consumers with health insurance questions and complaints. For more information visit Michigan.gov/HealthInsurance or call DIFS at 877-999-6442, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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Original text here: https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/news/press-releases/2022/06/23/whitmer-and-state-leaders-educate-michiganders-about-availability-of-no-cost-contraception