Guest Author - Previous BellaOnline Editor

Recently I had a series of appointments with my gynecologist to determine the cause of some irregular bleeding I was experiencing. A small ovarian cyst was detected in an ultrasound, and my doctor suggested I go on some form of birth control to both regulate my cycle and help shrink the cyst.

So I called my insurance company to find out what kind of co-pay I could expect for the Ortho Evra Patch, my birth control of choice.

I was told that my plan did not cover ANY KIND of birth control whatsoever.

Nothing.

Nada.

I was shocked!

Is this the Middle Ages or the 21st Century?

It is amazing to me that there are insurance plans out there that don’t cover birth control! There was no generic choice. No limited selection. No nothing.

I was told that if I was getting a prescription for birth control for “medical necessity” I could have my doctor fill out a form and try to get it covered. But if I was “just using it for birth control,” they wouldn’t cover it.

Now, the good news (for me) is my employer already had a new plan in the works to take effect on April 1, which does cover birth control. It is doubtful it will cover the patch, but I will keep my fingers crossed.

I decided to write an article about my experience with this because birth control is an *extremely* important issue for the child free community, for obvious reasons.

I think it is deplorable that an insurance plan in the year 2004 would not cover birth control. I hope you feel the same.

Now, what can we do about it???

Planned Parenthood has taken on this issue. Click on the link in the upper right hand corner to learn more! PLEASE take a minute and voice your concerns -- this is an issue that affects all women everywhere.

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