Over-the-Counter (OTC) Contraceptive Coverage Implementation Collaborative
The Free the Pill OTC Contraceptive Coverage Implementation Collaborative (the Collaborative) is a group of reproductive justice organizations, youth and consumer advocates, health insurance experts, pharmacists, and public health analysts dedicated to exploring and developing solutions for the implementation of OTC contraceptive coverage. First convened in 2022 by Free the Pill—a project of Ibis Reproductive Health—the Collaborative has explored lessons learned from the state OTC coverage experience and is working to identify solutions for successful OTC contraceptive coverage implementation at the pharmacy and retail counter.
In 2024, a comprehensive report was published to document the Collaborative’s recommendations for advocates, policymakers, pharmacies and pharmacists, insurers, pharmacy benefit managers, and other stakeholders at the federal and state levels. This report has been studied by the Maryland Collaborative to Advance Implementation of Coverage of Over–the–Counter Birth Control to make recommendations concerning the implementation of state coverage requirements for birth control at pharmacies, and advancement of point–of–sale coverage options at retail counters, virtual retail platforms, and vending machines.
To learn more about the OTC Contraceptive Coverage Implementation Collaborative and how you can support ongoing efforts to expand equitable access to OTC contraceptives, please contact us.
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Free the pill and cover it, too: Strategies for making OTC birth control coverage work in the real world
This report from Free the Pill’s OTC Contraceptive Coverage Collaborative details recommendations for advocates, policymakers, retailers, pharmacists, insurers, and pharmacy benefit managers in implementing coverage of OTC birth control products.
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States with over-the-counter contraceptive coverage laws
To understand the OTC contraceptive coverage landscape in each state, two factors should be considered: coverage requirements by type of insurance plan and types of contraception covered. Learn more about these two factors and which states currently have OTC contraceptive coverage laws in this fact sheet.
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Priorities to support OTC birth control affordability and access
Now that there's an OTC daily birth control pill available in the US, Free the Pill is mobilizing to advance a series of advocacy priorities that will ensure affordability and equitable access to OTC birth control pills. This strategic roadmap is grounded in reproductive health and justice values, and is designed to maximize policy outcomes.
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Lessons learned from the movement behind the first OTC birth control pill in the US
This paper captures lessons learned from the movement-driven effort leading to the FDA approval of the first OTC daily birth control pill in the US. It also provides recommendations for how to achieve the coalition’s vision for making OTC birth control pills equitably accessible and fully covered by insurance without a prescription.