Contraception Act Mandates 365-Day Supply of Birth Control, Zero Copay Starting 2026

The Convenient Contraception Act, as its name suggests, is looking to make one aspect of healthcare much more convenient. It amends existing federal health law to mandate that group health plans and individual health insurance policies must allow individuals to obtain a full 365-day supply of any covered contraceptive, all at once.

The End of Monthly Pharmacy Trips

Right now, many insurance plans only let you pick up a 30- or 90-day supply of prescriptions, including birth control. This means you have to remember to call in refills, make pharmacy trips, and deal with the administrative hassle multiple times a year. This bill cuts through that red tape by requiring insurers to cover a full year’s worth of supply in a single dispensing event, provided the contraceptive is already covered by the plan (SEC. 2).

Crucially, this year-long supply must be provided with zero cost-sharing—meaning no copays, deductibles, or coinsurance can be applied to that large, upfront order. This reinforces the existing mandate for no-cost preventive services while also eliminating the logistical barrier of frequent refills. Think about the parent juggling work and childcare: consolidating 12 pharmacy visits into one trip a year is a significant time saver and a major boost for adherence. If you’re a construction worker whose schedule makes it tough to hit the pharmacy during business hours, this change is a huge win for consistency.

When the Clock Starts Ticking

While the bill is effective immediately upon enactment, the requirement for insurers to offer this 365-day supply kicks in for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2026 (SEC. 2). This gives insurers and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) time to adjust their systems. For consumers, this means you won't see this option show up in your plan immediately, but it’s coming down the pipeline.

To make sure this change doesn't get buried in bureaucratic fine print, the bill mandates that the Secretaries of Health and Human Services, Labor, and the Treasury must launch a massive outreach effort within 90 days of the law being signed. Their job is to inform both healthcare providers and the people covered by these plans about this new right to a full year's supply with zero cost (SEC. 2).

The Real-World Impact on Your Wallet and Schedule

For the vast majority of people who rely on contraceptives, this is purely beneficial. It addresses the well-documented problem of “gaps” in coverage and usage that often occur when people miss refills, which can lead to unintended pregnancies. By making it easier to stay on schedule, the bill directly improves public health outcomes. The zero-cost mandate for the full year's supply also removes any financial barrier to stocking up.

The practical challenge, however, will fall on the insurance industry. Insurers and group health plans will need to rework their dispensing logistics and inventory management to handle these large, upfront orders. While the bill is clear that this is a zero-cost benefit, some might wonder if the increased administrative or inventory costs for insurers could eventually be factored into premium increases down the road. However, the immediate, tangible benefit for the consumer—convenience and guaranteed access—is clearly the primary focus of this legislation.