You might be thinking why Viagra is covered by insurance but not contraceptives. You might also think it is unfair that some health insurers are covering Viagra but not prescription contraceptives.
It is a fact that many health insurers have started covering Viagra after millions of men started crumbling for this “magic pill” to overcome their erectile dysfunction issue and yet they do not cover prescription contraceptives. However, there has been a movement underway to make this an equal playing field.
According to the National Women’s Law Center in Washington, DC, there are over 20 states that have enacted laws allowing group health insurance companies to cover prescription contraceptives if they also cover other prescription drugs, while the others have similar proposals pending.
The National Conference of State Legislatures reported in 2009 that mandates in two states (Texas and Virginia), requiring “employers should be offered the option to include coverage of contraceptives within their group health plans.” Some bills prohibit health insurance group plans from excluding contraceptives.
Some states recognize an exemption on religious backgrounds. Also, some states require employers to intimate employees of their refusal to get coverage for contraceptives.
According to ihealthagents.com, “Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas and West Virginia have mandate exemptions based primarily on ‘religious reasons’ for insurers and employers.”
Antagonists of these laws say they will drive up the health insurance cost. Counselors argue that an estimated cost of birth control is $30 per month, which is much cheaper than the cost of unplanned pregnancies.
