Association of 12-Month Contraceptive Supply Policy and Months of Contraception Prescribed by Obstetrician-Gynecologist Physicians [A01]

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Seventeen US states have passed legislation requiring insurers to cover dispensation of a full 12-month supply of contraception prescribed at a single time. Such policies are linked to improved contraception continuation and reductions in unintended pregnancy. This study sought to determine if there was a difference in the months of oral contraception prescribed by physicians living in US states with a 12-month supply policy compared to physicians in states without a policy. METHODS: We conducted an exploratory descriptive study using a convenience sample of obstetrics and gynecology resident physicians (n=275) in the United States. Standard bivariate analyses were used to compare the difference between groups and describe the overall prescribing habits of physicians. The study was approved by the institutional review board at Oregon Health & Science University. RESULTS: Of the 275 respondents, 48% resided in a state with a policy requiring insurance coverage of a 12-month supply of contraception and 52% resided in states without such a policy. Few physicians in both groups (3.8% with a policy and 1.4% without a policy) routinely prescribed a 12-month supply of contraception. The mean coverage prescribed by providers in states with and without a policy was 2.81 and 2.07 months (P<.05). CONCLUSION: The majority of physicians were unaware of 12-month contraceptive supply policies and unable to correctly write a prescription for 12 months of contraception. Physician education may be needed to effectively implement 12-month contraceptive supply policies and meaningfully impact contraception access.