Abstract
Objectives
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandated that, starting between August 1, 2012 and July
31, 2013, health plans cover most Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved contraceptive
methods for women without cost sharing. This study examined the impact of the ACA
on out-of-pocket expenses for contraceptives.
Study design
Women (ages 15–44 years) with claims for any contraceptives in years 2011, 2012 and 2013 were identified
from the MarketScan Commercial database. The proportions of women using contraceptives
[including permanent contraceptives (PCs) and non-PCs: oral contraceptives (OCs),
injectables, patches, rings, implants and intrauterine devices (IUDs)] in study years
were determined, as well as changes in out-of-pocket expenses for contraceptives during
2011–2013. Demographics, including age, U.S. geographic region of residence and health
plan type, were also evaluated.
Results
The number of women identified with any contraceptive usage in 2011 was 2,447,316
(mean age: 27.6 years), in 2012 was 2,515,296 (mean age: 27.4 years) and in 2013 was 2,243,253 (mean age: 27.4 years). In 2011, 2012 and 2013, the proportions of women with any contraceptive usage
were 26.3%, 26.2% and 26.9%, respectively. Over the three study years, mean total
out-of-pocket expenses for PCs and non-PCs decreased from $298 to $82 and from $94
to $30, respectively. For non-PCs, mean total out-of-pocket expenses for OCs and IUDs
decreased from $86 to $26 and from $83 to $20.
Conclusions
Implementation of the ACA has saved women a substantial amount in out-of-pocket expenses
for contraceptives.
Implications
Mean total out-of-pocket expenses for FDA-approved contraceptives decreased approximately
70% from 2011 to 2013. Implementation of the ACA has saved women a substantial amount
in out-of-pocket expenses for contraceptives. Longer-term studies, including clinical
outcomes, are warranted.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: January 21, 2016
Accepted:
January 13,
2016
Received in revised form:
January 13,
2016
Received:
July 17,
2015
Footnotes
☆Funding: This research was supported by Bayer HealthCare.
☆☆Conflict of Interest: A. Law, L. Wen, M. Tangirala and E. Zampaglione are employees of Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc. J. Lin is an employee of Novosys Health and served as a paid consultant to Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc. for the development of this study and manuscript. J. S. Schwartz served as a paid consultant to Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc. for the development of this study and manuscript.
Identification
Copyright
© 2016 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
