The "Convenient Contraception Act" ensures individuals can access a 365-day supply of contraceptives through their health plans and insurance coverage starting in 2026, while also requiring outreach to inform people about this benefit.
Lauren Underwood
Representative
IL-14
The "Convenient Contraception Act" ensures that, starting January 1, 2026, health plans and insurance coverage must allow individuals to obtain a 365-day supply of contraceptives without cost-sharing. It also requires the Secretaries of Health and Human Services, Labor, and the Treasury to inform healthcare providers and individuals about this new benefit.
Convenient Contraception Act Mandates 365-Day Supply with No Copay Starting 2026
This bill, the 'Convenient Contraception Act,' requires most health insurance plans to cover a full year's supply of prescribed contraceptives dispensed at one time. Starting January 1, 2026, individuals covered by group health plans or individual insurance policies must be able to obtain this 365-day supply without facing any cost-sharing, meaning no copays or deductibles specifically for this benefit.
The 365-Day Rule: What It Means for You
The core change here is moving away from the common practice of monthly or quarterly refills for many types of contraception. Section 2 of the Act mandates that insurers allow a single dispensing of a 365-day supply. If you currently use birth control pills, patches, or rings, this could mean significantly fewer trips to the pharmacy – potentially just one pickup per year instead of twelve or four. The elimination of cost-sharing for this year-long supply aims to remove financial barriers that might cause gaps in use. This applies specifically to the dispensing quantity and cost-sharing; the bill doesn't change which contraceptives are covered, just how a full year's supply is accessed and paid for.
Getting the Word Out & Getting Your Supply
To make sure this change actually works in practice, the bill requires action from federal agencies. Within 90 days of the Act becoming law, the Secretaries of Health and Human Services, Labor, and the Treasury are tasked with launching outreach efforts. This means actively informing healthcare providers (doctors, nurse practitioners, pharmacists) and the public that patients have the right to request and receive a 365-day supply, and that insurance must cover it without extra charges starting January 1, 2026. This proactive communication is key to ensuring both prescribers and patients are aware of the option when it becomes available. While simplifying access for users, health plans will need to adapt their systems to handle these larger, upfront prescriptions.