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You may have heard advice that securing your birth control for the next few years means booking your IUD insertion appointment right away. This advice comes as we approach a new political era in January, which may bring changes in how insurance plans handle birth control coverage.
If you're looking for birth control that lasts for several years, the IUD or implant is your best bet. Both options offer long-term solutions: the IUD can last for five to ten years, while the implant will last for four.
An IUD is a convenient, long-term birth control option. Once it’s inserted, you won’t need to think about it again for years—five years with the hormonal type or ten years with the copper type. Similarly, the implant is another low-maintenance method, lasting four years and placed just under the skin of your arm.
Under current regulations, your health insurance is obligated to cover most birth control methods at no cost to you, meaning no deductible and no co-pay. This includes not only birth control pills but also long-term options like IUDs and implants.
Long-acting birth control methods are among the most reliable and effective, though they come with a high price tag. Without insurance, an IUD could cost upwards of $800, plus additional charges from your gynecologist for the office visit. Even though the overall cost may be less over time compared to other methods, it can still be a significant financial hurdle, making it difficult for some to afford. No one wants to choose between paying for birth control and covering basic living expenses like rent.
That’s why getting an IUD now might be a smart choice: it’s free, and it will last through one or two presidential terms. But if you wait until after the inauguration, there’s a chance you could lose that coverage.
We’re uncertain whether birth control coverage will remain guaranteed in 2017.
Donald Trump will take office on January 20, 2017, and he has committed to reversing several policies from the Obama administration, which may include parts of the Affordable Care Act, starting on his very first day.
A comprehensive 'repeal and replace' would take time and demand cooperation from Congress. However, if Trump intends to undermine the ACA, he could begin by taking immediate action. As reported by Forbes, one option would be halting payments to insurance companies for cost-sharing reductions, which could lead to the cancellation of insurance plans. Though depending on the chosen campaign promises, Trump may not want individuals losing coverage without an alternative law in place, so while possible, this outcome remains unlikely.
Eliminating birth control coverage, on the other hand, would be significantly easier. The ACA does not specify anything about birth control or IUDs; it merely requires coverage of women’s preventive health services. The new Secretary of Health and Human Services could simply alter this definition, and just like that, the mandate for no-cost birth control would disappear.
Although insurance companies could still choose to cover birth control without the federal mandate, it would ultimately depend on each individual plan and be influenced by state laws. Prior to the ACA, 28 states had laws requiring contraceptive coverage, according to a report by the Kaiser Family Foundation.
There is a small ray of hope: open enrollment won’t end until January 31, 2017. This means that if your coverage changes right after Trump takes office, you still have over a week to change your insurance plan.
How to Decide If an IUD Is Right for You
We’ve put together a guide to various birth control options and an explainer on IUDs. If an IUD seems like a good fit for you, check them out. For further details, especially if you're uncertain about which method works best for you, make sure to consult with your healthcare provider.
Before heading to your appointment, it's a good idea to call ahead. Some providers may still operate based on outdated information and might refuse you based on your age or whether or not you've had children. If that happens, simply hang up and try contacting a different provider. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists states that IUDs are a fantastic option, even for teenagers.
Another reason to make a call in advance is that not every provider keeps IUDs in stock—since they are costly. Inquire if they can have one available for your appointment so that you only need to visit once.
Keep in mind that, in five to ten years, you’ll need to have the IUD removed. It’s a quick procedure (essentially, the provider just pulls on the strings) but requires another office visit. And no, it is not safe to attempt removing it on your own.
If an IUD doesn’t seem like the right choice for you, that’s perfectly fine. Explore your other options, and don’t forget that none of us know how health care will evolve next year. This makes now an excellent time for any preventive care you may have been postponing, such as checkups or vaccines. Who knows, perhaps nothing will change after all. But at least you’ll be ready.
Artwork by Angelica Alzona.
