From approximately age 18 (probably earlier than that - but for argument's sake) to around 45, American women are working to prevent pregnancy. The vast majority of us - use some sort of contraception. We have an ever expanding world of options to explore - this is something that women battle for the better part of 30 years of their lives after all...so it's good to have options. For those of us lucky enough to have health insurance coverage - those options are usually dictated by insurance company formularies and our ability to pay copays/coinsurance. Lets break this down a bit - the most common form of birth control would be the pill.
For an average woman with employer health insurance - most are probably looking at a $15 - $30 copay, plus annual exam with a copay of around $20 - $35 depending on the plan... FOR YEARS...
More Fun with Math after the Break!
More Fun with Math after the Break!
From Age 18 to 45 = 27 years
27 years x 12 months = 324
324 months x $15 per month copay = $4860 ($9720 - if $30 Copay)
27 years x $20 visit copay = $540
So $5400 if copay is $15, $10,260 if copay is $30
27 years x 12 months = 324
324 months x $15 per month copay = $4860 ($9720 - if $30 Copay)
27 years x $20 visit copay = $540
So $5400 if copay is $15, $10,260 if copay is $30
Now, that might not sound like a lot of money spread over time - but how many women are choose monthly between putting gas in their cars to get to work and their medications? How many women are skipping other medications to make sure their contraception is there for them?
I know personally - I use a medication that probably IS NOT the best fit for me, because I can't afford the one that is. A recent report released by the Institute of Medicine, might help improve things for a lot of American women. If recommendations made in this report are adopted as part of the Affordable Care Act. Co-Pays for Contraceptives would be a thing of the past. They recommend Contraceptives, Annual Screenings and a whole host of other things should be covered as Preventative care - and as such, would be co-payment free!
Personally, I would love to be able to get the medication that would really be the best fit for me - without the added cost. BIRTH CONTROL BY DEFINITION IS PREVENTATIVE CARE!
I strongly urge each and every one of my readers to contact the Department of Health and Human Services - to show your support for these recommendations.
I know personally - I use a medication that probably IS NOT the best fit for me, because I can't afford the one that is. A recent report released by the Institute of Medicine, might help improve things for a lot of American women. If recommendations made in this report are adopted as part of the Affordable Care Act. Co-Pays for Contraceptives would be a thing of the past. They recommend Contraceptives, Annual Screenings and a whole host of other things should be covered as Preventative care - and as such, would be co-payment free!
Personally, I would love to be able to get the medication that would really be the best fit for me - without the added cost. BIRTH CONTROL BY DEFINITION IS PREVENTATIVE CARE!
I strongly urge each and every one of my readers to contact the Department of Health and Human Services - to show your support for these recommendations.
Thank you to the National Women's Law Center and Planned Parenthood for hosting this Blog Carnival!
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