Birth Control and Insurance

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-01-2006
Birth Control and Insurance
4
Fri, 09-01-2006 - 3:13am

Hey Ladies! This is just my time to vent about something that is bothering me lately. And I mean really badly. I want to know why the hell insurance companies do not pay for birth control. I mean it costs around $10,000 for my insurance in Ohio to deliver an uncomplicated vaginal birth. I wonder why they will pay for that but not my birth control. I mean it is a perscription, and I pay $20 for my perscriptions and why do they think that birth control does not count? I mean, you need a perscription to get it, and you have to go to the doctor to get that? I mean its not like you are not paying for it in some way shape or form. I am engaged, in a secure, STD free relationship with my fiance. We enjoy sex, and we enjoy it a lot, and it is worth the $44.99 a month I pay for my Ortho-Tricyclen Lo. But still, women's healthcare has got to improve! I mean, guys get their ED and viagra paid for, and it is just not fair! I am in nursing school and I work full time and at almost $50 a month, it adds up. I mean when you're in college and broke off your ass, you look at that as a tank of gas. Its like, i have to choose to put gas in the car so i can get to school to get a real job with real health insurance that might pay for it (some private companies do, though not required by law) or protect myself now by not having kids. I was complaining the other day that the packs that the pill comes in is ugly. My fiance was like its supposed to be discreet. I was like why? (totally did not get it at first) Hes like because if people see the pill they will know that you are having sex. I was like, I dont care, i am 21, and i, i mean we, cannot afford to have kids right now. I am being smart, responsible and informed about my sexual/reproductive health/welfare and I am not ashamed to protect myself. I am paying for it so who gives a crap! I proudly walk up to the counter at the pharmacy and state, "I need a refill on my birth control, please!" and smile and dare anyone to say something!
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-18-2006
Fri, 09-01-2006 - 1:15pm

I guess some people would rather not have people know they are taking birth control. My pills come in one of those packs calle "bubble sheets" -- so it's really not a matter of aesthetics, although it does also come with a little "wallet" type thing to keep them in and on the box it says a "discreet suede-like wallet" is included. I laugh at that, because first of all, it's not that discreet. If I see someone with a tacky, teal billfold type thing, I know they're keeping their bc in it, and second of all, I am in the same mindset as you: who cares? I mean, I'm not walking around telling people, "I'm on the pill and I'm proud of it," but I'm not hiding it from anyone! And I'm not embarrassed to pick up my perscriptions (although, I do have yet to do that yet because I have been to my doctor a couple of times since she perscribed it to me, for other things, and she keeps giving me free samples... which is good for the money issue).

I'm also 21 and in college, and lucky enough to still be on my parents' healthcare... except when it comes to birth control. The ironic part for me is, that my insurance company DOES cover birth control... but not the pill I'm on (yaz)! It's a $20 copay for most kinds of birth control, but mine will be the full price because it's not on my insurance company's list of "preferred brands" so, and I'm in the same predicament that you are. I live in New York City, so I don't have to worry about filling my car up with gas to get to school, but my living costs are so high, and I am dreading filling my perscription next month (when I run out of my free samples) because $40 a month really is A LOT for birth control!

...and I know what you are thinking: just go on a pill that your insurance covers. But I just can't switch again. I tried other pills and didn't even make it past the sample packs to have to pay for birth control. I did the obligatory 3 months on one, but quit after only one month on another one because it was so bad. I don't want to have to go through finding a pill that suits me all over again, because this has been a very draining process. And, ultimatley, my well-being is worth the extra $20/month, but it doesn't seem fair that a person with a different body chemistry should be able to pay less than me.

Also, I just wanted to give you some ideas that I looked into, in case you haven't (although I am not assuming you haven't): since you're in college, is there any way that health services at your school could get you your birth control for cheaper? I know that Ortho Tricyclen Lo is a very, very popular brand, and my school gives it to students for $15 for 3 months (and it's one of the few brands they carry). I am sure that you have looked into all of this, but just in case you hadn't I wanted to put it out there. Also, I think Planned Parenthood gives birth control at discounted rates (limited brands, but again, since yours is so popular maybe they'll have it... the one in my area doesn't have mine because it's so new), so it might be something to check out.

I looked at the Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo website, and it has an offer to get your first month of it for free -- but I don't think it needs to be your first month. They just ask you to fill out your name and information and then they give you a printable coupon (or you can get one in the mail). I think it's a one per customer deal, but if you haven't seen that option yet, at least it would be one month you didn't have to worry about...
http://www.thepill.com/html/ppil/free-month.jsp;jsessionid=2H52VR1TKWLOUCQPCCEDC0YKB2IIWNSC?

Just thought I'd give my 2cents. I didn't realize I'd have this much to say...=0

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-01-2006
Sat, 09-02-2006 - 4:45pm
Hey LizJane9-thanks for the advice-yeah it was a good idea what you said about Ortho Lo's website-i finally read the little pamphlet that comes inside my pack and I did sign up on their website-they said they are sending me my coupon for a free month and also a pink flower case for my bc. Yeah the school I go to requires that you cannot have health insurance at the school if you already have coverage elsewhere, be it your job or through your parents. And also, their student health insurance rates are so high anyway, its the same as just paying for it out of your own pocket, and another thing that is retarded-my school will give you the exam for free, all the gyno visits you want, and fill out the perscription-but when you go to the pharmacy, you stil end up paying full price for it, which really makes me mad-i think it should all be covered in the tuition, but thats just me-anyway, thanks for the advice-goddesskatiebelle
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-13-2006
Thu, 09-07-2006 - 12:18pm

Hi,

I have certainly been in your situation. I was taking OTC Lo and all of a sudden my copay went from $50 for three months to $100 (which means that insurance pays like $3). Anyway, I have found my solution in online Canadian pharmacies, which I thought were sketchy... until my package arrived within five business days with my medication. This is the site I used:
http://www.canadadrugsonline.com//DrugMoreInfo5604.aspx
They charge $10 for S+H but they allow you to buy a 6 month supply at a time. Just ask your doctor to write you a prescription for a 3 month supply with a few refills, fax it to them, they call back in half an hour to verify your prescription and it will be at your door in no time and they are the same pills you pick up at CVS. I hope this helps and if you have any questions please ask away.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-15-2005
Thu, 09-07-2006 - 4:41pm

oh too funny about the "discreet" packages. yeah right.


from what i'm seeing.........insurance promotes having babies. it does not promote "family planning". I mean, why is it some insurances will pay for in vitro, but not a tubal/vasectomy? they'll pay for viagra, but not birth control. i agree, it sucks.


I'm grateful for my insurance, I think they are more pro-protection versus baby-making.


Definitely check out your school health services, and I'm not sure about Planned Parenthood, but do they supply BCP's? Sorry, no advice from me, all my health insurances cover BCP.....maybe not all that I want, but enough for me to choose one. lol

~IDM
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