r/HealthInsurance • u/sweetbabycoconut • Jul 28 '25
Employer/COBRA Insurance Insurance doesn’t cover contraceptives because they said they’re a Christian-based organization
i use birth control to stop my periods and when i called my insurance to check for coverage this morning they said they don’t cover contraceptives for religious reasons
the estimate from my provider is around $2000 without insurance so just double-checking about alternative routes i can take given that information
insurance is from virginia mason hospital & they switched to bcbsil from first choice this year if that’s relevant
25 in wa with a $25 wage
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u/0220_2020 Jul 28 '25
Check cost plus and Amazon pharmacy. When I took oral contraceptives to stop my period it was around $12 a month without insurance.
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u/Suzuki_Foster Jul 28 '25
I have insurance, and I use Amazon's pharmacy because I can get my needs cheaper without using my insurance!
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u/JessterJo Jul 28 '25
Hey, also work for VM. The issue is the merger with CommonSpirit. Hormonal birth control is covered through BCBSIL due to a Federal law. Contact them or check your portal.
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u/sweetbabycoconut Jul 28 '25
thank you & thank you to the useful info in the replies as well!!
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u/BananaMartini Jul 29 '25
If you have an “ACA compliant” plan they cannot refuse you any kind of preventative care, which includes birth control
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u/validparking Jul 29 '25
Also check with planned parenthood, if it’s oral BC you can pay out of pocket and get 15 months of oral BC for $450 (minus any fee for the virtual appointment)
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u/Actual-Government96 Jul 28 '25
I was going to say...religious since when?!
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u/JessterJo Jul 28 '25
It a PITA, but it was fiscally impossible to stay independent. As it is, we're one of many hospitals in the area that haven't broken even since before Covid.
We were told we would remain a non-religious hospital, but they've been chipping away at that.
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u/CrankyCrabbyCrunchy Jul 28 '25
There are so many hospital mergers / acquisitions across the country with religion-based hospitals. Just evil.
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u/ConsistentWitness217 Jul 28 '25
How are religious hospitals so much more persistent than non religious hospitals?
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u/STEMpsych Jul 28 '25 edited Jul 29 '25
Interesting question. I have a bunch of theories, but I think it's relevant that it's not religious hospitals in general that are so much more persistent than non-religious ones, it's specifically a chain of Catholic hospitals which are so persistent. Might have something to do with the Catholic church having deep pockets, might have something to do with the Catholic church having a cultural tradition of long-range planning which beats the pants off short-sighted private-equity backed hospitals. Maybe it's just the Sisters of Mercy (the religious order behind CommonSpirit) are just ballers (other Catholic hospitals have themselves succumbed to PE acquisition and are effectively no longer Catholic hospitals despite what it says on the sign outside.)
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u/ConsistentWitness217 Jul 28 '25
If it's the Roman Catholic church, then I understand. They do indeed have very very deep pockets - over a millennia of compounding interest and global investments. One of the biggest funds - if not the biggest - in the history of mankind.
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u/Seymour---Butz Jul 29 '25
And it can only be some Catholic hospitals, let’s not use too broad of a brush. I got my IUD at a “Catholic hospital.”
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u/CrankyCrabbyCrunchy Jul 28 '25
Not paying taxes gives them more $$ to buy up other facilities. In some counties where I am they’ve bought every single medical facility.
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u/ConsistentWitness217 Jul 28 '25
That's very unfortunate. Countless lives are held hostage by ancient theology.
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u/impossibledongle Jul 28 '25
The supreme Court overturned that law. Companies (privately held only) can now deny coverage of birth control if the owners object due to religious belief (Burwell v Hobby Lobby) https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burwell_v._Hobby_Lobby_Stores,_Inc.
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u/JessterJo Jul 28 '25
Well, that's just great. They may still cover it for a medical issue.
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u/Living-Hyena184 Jul 28 '25
Yeah I was going to say. I know Hobby Lobby challenged that and won. Not required unfortunately
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u/impossibledongle Jul 28 '25
Yeah, it's very likely they will. The doctor should send in an authorization form with what it is for, and it's likely that it would be covered. But not a guarantee. Honestly, it depends on what state you're in
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u/Smooth-Review-2614 3d ago
Only for closely held private companies. Now a hospital owned and managed by a religious group might also qualify but that is a different case.
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u/impossibledongle 1d ago
Friend, did you miss the part where I mentioned the privately held only in parenthesis? I said what you said, but with less words. I'm not trying to be an ass, just genuinely confused by your comment and hoping you just overlooked it.
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u/Sharp_Ad_9431 Jul 28 '25
The trump administration issued an executive order that allows for denial of contraception based on companies' religious objections. That federal protection is no longer in effect.
It was not a law but a policy.
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u/jamesinboise Jul 30 '25
I have a spouse working for a religious hospital group, the hospital group doesn't cover BC, but we get another insurance card that states, "for contraceptive coverage only"
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u/mattyofurniture Jul 28 '25
Ask your provider and pharmacist to see if there is a less expensive option available for you. There are tons of different options for hormonal BC at different doses, and it’s possible that there may be a less expensive generic version available. Many of those options cost far less, like less than $30 per month. But only you, your doctor, and your pharmacist ought to be having this conversation.
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u/Haunted_Optimist Jul 28 '25
There should be a process for requesting an exception or waiver.
Also if your healthcare provider recommends a specific birth control method based on Medical Need, the plan should cover it.
Contact your insurance company for the steps involved in the exception process.
Contact the National Women’s Law Center; they have a project called CoverHer which can provide guidance and support.
I’m so sorry you’re having to go through this. It isn’t right. It isn’t fair. We the people shouldn’t have other people’s religious beliefs forced on us to the point it directly affects our healthcare.
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u/Glittering-Read-6906 Jul 28 '25
They don’t have to cover it regardless of medical need.
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u/CathyAnnWingsFan Jul 28 '25
Thank Hobby Lobby. And NEVER shop there.
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u/Drachynn Jul 28 '25
I shopped there until I saw how bad they were. They're no "bake sale Christians", as my husband would call benevolent and non-toxic Christians. They're all about a full blown religious theocracy. F Hobby Lobby.
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u/CathyAnnWingsFan Jul 28 '25
I've never set foot in one. Or a Walmart
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u/Drachynn Jul 29 '25
Yeah, I hadn't known about any of the controversy sooner because I'm a fairly recent immigrant. Wish I'd known but now I do!
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u/Actual-Government96 Jul 29 '25
They also defied Covid stay home orders because GOD told them to (but not to pay sick leave). These people are pure garbage.
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u/Wrong-Primary-2569 Jul 28 '25
Cause good Christians demand their employees to have kids on minimum wage. Wage slaves good. Poor parents make good wage slaves.
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u/HeavyNeedleworker707 Jul 30 '25
I haven’t set foot in a Hobby Lobby since that ruling came down. Plus HL imports the vast majority of their crap from China, who for decades had state-mandated forced abortions to limit couples to one child. SO hypocritical.
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u/blackkristos Jul 28 '25
Wait, BCBS Illinois isn't covering? Are you positive about this? I worked for BCBS for nearly 20 years, and I am wondering if they actually provide benefits.
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u/Erinbaus Jul 28 '25
Religious exemptions are decided at the client/employer level so it’s BCBS saying it’s not covered, the employer specifically requested a plan that doesn’t cover it per religious exemption criteria.
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u/LowParticular8153 Jul 28 '25
If employer decided that birth control is not covered for contraception it is by requesting group, not BXBS.
If not used for birth control but for another reason your provider may be able to appeal denial based on medical issue not contraception
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u/blackkristos Jul 28 '25
Right, but they said they recently moved to BCBS IL. I was just trying to help drill down to who it was that managed her benefits.
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u/jerzeett Jul 28 '25
Yeah so when the company moved to BCBS they requested to not cover contraception under the “religious exemption”
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u/blackkristos Jul 28 '25
Yeah, if it's a small fund (like Hobby Lobby and the ACA), that happens. But most commercial BCBS plans would cover all contraception.
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u/jerzeett Jul 28 '25
Exactly. Her company (likely a religiously affiliated hospital) has claimed the religious exemption so they don’t have to cover it for their employees.
It’s not a BCBS policy by any means.
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u/Shitp0st_Supreme Jul 28 '25
Sometimes companies have self funded plans administered by insurance agencies such as BCBS. My job has self administered plans through UMR which is under the UHC umbrella.
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u/DomesticPlantLover Jul 29 '25
BCBS is probably administering the plan for the religious organizational. Religious organizations and some private corporations are exempt from the ACA's birth control requirement.
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u/Melodic_Unit2716 Jul 28 '25
Target sells a the opill brand over the counter. $50 for a 3 pack
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u/Bulky-Yogurt-1703 Jul 28 '25
Just a heads up that opill is progesterone only- so as opposed to the combo estrogen pill it’s super important to take it at the same time every day. It’s a great fit for a lot of people, but not everyone realizes it’s different than the most popular combination pill.
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u/4_celine Jul 28 '25
And if you're taking birth control for a specific health reason, the progesterone only pill doesn't always do those same things so check with your doctor. I wasn't able to use Opill but I had great luck with the planned parenthood app and delivery.
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u/blahblahsnickers Jul 28 '25
Fun fact. For the combo pill you have to take it at the same time every day as well. It is 99.9 percent effective if taken correctly- which means take it at the same time every day as prescribed.
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u/Well_ImTrying Jul 29 '25
The combo pill you have a 2 hour window. For progesterone only, you have to take it at the exact same time every day to be effective.
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u/LadyGreyIcedTea Jul 28 '25
Planned Parenthood.
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u/Sad_Pangolin7379 Jul 28 '25
It's a lot more expensive there than it used to be thanks to all the funding cuts they've suffered
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u/Shoe_Ho Jul 28 '25
Yep - they do so much more than abortions. People don’t realize that!
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u/noteworthybalance Jul 28 '25
Service numbers:
2.08 million patients
9.4 million services
364,600 Pap tests & breast exams
2.2 million birth control services
5.1 million STI tests & treatments
402,200 abortions
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u/EdenSilver113 Jul 28 '25
In addition to these services it’s crucial to note Planned Patenthood does reproductive education too.
My stepdaughter was a planned parenthood volunteer while she was in college.
She passed out condoms in bars and at school events.
She gave out basic reproductive health education pamphlets to help college students make informed decisions about sexual health.
Planned parenthood locations will close, and as a result I suspect we will see an uptick in both unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.
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u/noteworthybalance Jul 28 '25
They also have a great program called teen connections which is comprehensive health and healthy relationship education for middle and high school students.
All of my kids have taken it and they were then appalled by the lack of sex ed in the public schools.
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u/EdenSilver113 Jul 29 '25
One of my best friend’s mom is a nurse midwife. She teaches that! They do so much. It’s a shame they’re under attack so routinely. The worst part is good sex education results in fewer teen pregnancies. We should care about that. Children are in no position to care for baby children.
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u/Shoe_Ho Jul 28 '25
Great stats! So maddening to defund them or even try to shut them down altogether 😞
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u/noteworthybalance Jul 28 '25
It's so short-sighted. People claim they want to reduce unwanted pregnancies and then they try and shut down the one organization that is doing everything they can to prevent unwanted pregnancies.
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u/NikEpicene Jul 28 '25
They don’t want to reduce abortions, they want to reduce sex outside of marriage.
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u/legalpretzel Jul 29 '25
They don’t want to reduce sex outside of marriage. Plenty of GOP men want freedom to sex whoever they want. What they want is to CONTROL WOMEN.
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u/NikEpicene Jul 29 '25
Yeah, but those men aren’t the ones who are extremely against birth control and abortion. They might perform Christian conservatism to win elections, but they still want options for themselves and other wealthy people (like traveling out of state or out of the country). Lately, they’ve been finding themselves between a rock and a hard place because their policies have actually started to become enforceable laws.
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u/No_Garage_4232 Jul 29 '25
This! Way back in the 80's I went there for all of my gynecological needs. They were great, the doctors and nurses knowledgeable and it was inexpensive.
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u/Shoe_Ho Jul 29 '25
Same! My hubby and I were starving college students in the 90’s with no health insurance and PP saved us with their low cost visits and birth control. Always loved the providers/workers there too.
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u/throw_away_bae_bae Jul 28 '25
Have you talked to your OBGYN about this? I was on the Nuva Ring when this exact same thing happened to me and when I showed my doctor the letter and told her to terminate my script she literally said “fuck that!” And gave me a year’s worth of free birth control samples and told me when I ran out to come back and she’d do it for me as long as I needed.
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u/Fun_Commercial7532 Jul 28 '25
I had the same thing happen, but after a denial I had the doctor specify that it was being prescribed exclusively for dysmenorrhea, and not as a contraceptive. Maybe you can see if that would work?
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u/jo_in_FL Jul 29 '25
A certain Christian craft store has that on their insurance. No birth control coverage, but male "performance" drugs are covered.
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u/Adventurous-Map-2224 Jul 31 '25
It's actually long-term contraceptives that they won't cover. They will cover the pill, shot, and ring.
Edit to add: For now. They used to cover the implant, but they removed that from their insurance plan last year. It would not be a surprise if they further reduced the options.
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u/Ok_Play2364 Jul 28 '25
Such BS. I bet the Christian insurance pays for Viagra though
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u/Actual-Government96 Jul 29 '25
I knew of a (Non Catholic) Christian charity (503) that did this and tried to exclude plan B because it was an "abortion pill". This was pre ACA, so they could easily do that kind of thing.
We had to explain how the pill actually worked, and they changed their minds - mostly because no one was getting it anyway. How disappointing to realize they had done nothing to even look into it before trying to take it off the table for hundreds of employees.
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u/Csherman92 Jul 28 '25
Does cost plus drugs have birth control pills? Also find out what the generic is.
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u/Superb_Narwhal6101 Jul 28 '25
One of my companies hospitals is a Catholic hospital, their employees are not covered for any type of birth control, including tubal ligations, vasectomies, nothing. I had a coworker that switched over to the companies insurance services division with me. She got a letter from the company saying “Good news. Since you are no longer an employee at XXX, you are now eligible for birth control coverage.” She was 60 years old. We laughed so hard.
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u/Janknitz Jul 28 '25
My daughter is a pediatrician with a Catholic hospital. She gets her BCP’s through some mail order company, I’m not sure which. She bypasses her health insurance altogether for the prescription, since her medical insurance coverage uses affiliated providers who are also employed by this hospital system, and says the cost is very reasonable.
As a provider, she had to sign a 15 page single spaced agreement outlining the Catholic philosophy and outlining what she can and cannot prescribe or recommend to her sexually active teen patients.
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u/Superb_Narwhal6101 Jul 28 '25
Isn’t that just insanity?? I think a lot of women do the online BCPs now. It’s just crazy that in 2025, this is still a thing. You must be so proud that your daughter is a pediatrician!!
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u/Actual-Government96 Jul 29 '25
I love the pettiness, though. I would open the letter and think "ah, I'm home "
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u/Sadie2022 Jul 28 '25
Check Mark Cuban's Cost Plus Drugs. They have birth control medications. They sell at only a little over cost. I have two prescriptions filled there.
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u/mnsfuntime2 Jul 29 '25
Good Rx. App or website should always be checked as prices usually cheaper than your copay. 3 packs 84 days for 25-36 dollars. That being said OCPs should be covered for free under affordable care act. If they say religious reasons call from hormonal therapy for dysmenorrhea if taking them for painful periods
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u/Specific_Culture_591 Jul 28 '25
Planned Parenthood offers free to low cost BC based on income level and can offer longer term solutions like IUD or implants if you prefer.
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u/prassjunkit Jul 28 '25
See if you can get family planning medicaid in your state It covers things like exams and birth control.
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u/Odd-Clothes-8131 Jul 28 '25
You can use wisp or nurx app. They deliver. I get my bc for $10 for a three month supply and it’s really cheap even if you don’t input insurance info.
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u/lutzlover Jul 28 '25
Consider getting a job with an employer that isn't a religious org. Then hope that we get a Supreme Court someday that knocks off that religious exemption crap.
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u/samjohnson2222 Jul 28 '25
Total bullshit should be illegal and I hope in the future people boycott these businesses.
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u/ElectronGuru Jul 28 '25
Sounds like a reason to boycott them to me. Change what you have to until your insurance isn’t discriminating against people, especially women.
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u/kdani17 Jul 28 '25
This already went to the Supreme Court. I don’t see it changing. Thank Hobby Lobby.
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Jul 28 '25
Your provider can submit a prior authorization requesting it to be filled for medical reasons (heavy periods, bad cramps, cycle irregularity). Non coverage riders typically allow for that loophole.
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u/Not_High_Maintenance Jul 28 '25
Skip the insurance and pay cash. You can get cheap BC from many places.
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u/jaygf77 Jul 28 '25
Did you speak with the carrier or with the employer? Virginia Mason is a Catholic hospital, so they probably don't cover contraceptives regardless of the reason. Most of these groups are self insured and have a religious waiver through the ACA for these types of service. In most cases, the ACA requires the carrier to still provide contraceptive coverage under a separate contraceptive plan through the carrier. If you speak with BCBSIL, they should be able to provide you with your contraceptive coverage.
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u/msprettybrowneyes Jul 28 '25
This is correct. I work for a Catholic hospital as well and I have a separate BCBS coverage for contraceptive.
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u/Ok-Tooth-4306 Jul 28 '25
If you don’t have a Planned Parenthood around you, your local health department can provide them. Usually you just need an exam, or with you being on them already, they might not need to.
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u/DeadpanWords Jul 28 '25
See if having your provider clarify with the insurance company that it is for your mentral cycle gets the insurance company to pay for it.
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u/chrysostomos_1 Jul 28 '25
Your company is probably owned by observant Catholics. Non Catholic Christians are mostly ok with contraceptives.
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u/KateTheGr3at Jul 28 '25
Mainline protestants are generally just fine with contraceptives of whatever variety you choose.
Fundamentalist and evangelical protestants are less so.8
u/Twirlmom9504_ Jul 28 '25
Not anymore. Read up on your Project 2025.
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u/jerzeett Jul 28 '25
Evangelicals are the minority. Don’t let them try to convince everyone most Americans agree with their bullshit because we don’t.
There should be no “religious exemptions” or “moral exemptions” when it comes to healthcare.
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u/chrysostomos_1 Jul 28 '25
Speak more clearly.
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u/Twirlmom9504_ Jul 28 '25
The Heritage foundation, funded by right wing Conservative Christian groups, has carved out more exceptions for contraceptive coverage under the ACA. Also the push for more women to stay home and have more babies and stop working within many conservative Christian movements.
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u/pm_me_pie_recipes Jul 28 '25
I get my BC through Planned Parenthood virtual visits $75 for a 3 month supply.
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u/Hot-Head2024 Jul 28 '25
Yes they will do that. You need to find a planned parenthood or a low cost clinic. I was lucky to get mine out for free because I became pregnant with it. Don’t do that route though lol.
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u/magicalunicornjuice Jul 28 '25
Call your insurance company. I work for a different one and for the plans with religious exempt employers that I’ve seen, the insurance company itself has a separate plan that JUST covers contraception for those plan members. It’s an ACA requirement for plans to have some sort of contraception coverage if I’m not mistaken.
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u/hopedarawrasaurus Jul 28 '25
Hey depending on ur state u can use the planned parenthood app. It’s very affordable and easy!
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u/twistedtyger Jul 29 '25
It just seems so incredibly wrong to cover boner pills but not contraception.
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u/kw00w Jul 29 '25
The provider group I tried to get birth control from didn’t believe in non hormonal birth control (the copper IUD), so I had to find a provider that did. The provider group was super catholic and believed that the non hormonal birth control was like having an abortion every month. Try checking with other providers, in case that’s the situation! Good luck!
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u/Ordinary_Fix3199 Jul 29 '25
You should be able to buy “Opill”over the counter….for now, at least. It’s an OTC oral contraceptive. Should be around $35 for a three month supply on Amazon
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u/Itsworth-gold4tome Jul 31 '25
There was a company in PA (Mennonite owned) that fought and won that their insurance for staff would not pay for birth control. Its ridiculous. But it is a thing now.
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u/BebeRegal 14d ago
Hello - I am employed with one of the large commercial carriers. PPACA requires carriers offer companion policies that cover contraceptives when employers opt out it. Call your customer service line and ask about it. Your employer should have told you about it. Sorry to learn this but not surprised - good luck.
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u/jwrig Jul 28 '25
The Affordable Care Act will allow you to get significantly discounted contraceptive coverage if your current insurnace provider opts out.
First it has to be an FDA-approved thing. You can find the list here:
Minimum Contraceptive Coverage Requirements Clarified by HHS Guidance | KFF
You can also go to a title x clinic to get it, and for that, go here:
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u/giraflor Jul 28 '25
I’m sorry you are dealing with this.
I see OTC pills at CVS. Would that work, OP?
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u/sgorneau Jul 28 '25
This is crazy considering you're dealing with BCBS. But then I go on to see it's actually Health Care Service Corporation ... a licensee of BCBS.
Healthcare in America is fucking bonkers and obnoxious.
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u/jerzeett Jul 28 '25
It’s her job trying not to cover it because of a religious exemption- not BCBSI
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u/KimberlyRN_1127 Jul 28 '25
Not HCSC or BCBS-this is an exclusion that her employer added
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u/Pavement-crete20 Jul 28 '25
I would be looking for a different job.
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u/oleblueeyes75 Jul 28 '25
I have to agree. It may seem like a knee jerk reaction but my thought is what else do they not cover?
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u/udderlyfun2u Jul 28 '25
I'd be trying to move to a different state. Maybe with a little more blue in the scenery. Losing tax revenue is all these people will understand.
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u/Actual-Government96 Jul 29 '25
Virginia Mason is based in Washington. Most of our hospitals have been purchased by Catholics at this point.
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u/Butterfly_1729 Jul 28 '25
In Washington, Planned Parenthood Direct offers birth control delivered through their app.
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u/ReluctantReptile Jul 28 '25
Love this administration. So much freedom. /s
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u/Actual-Government96 Jul 29 '25
I don't disagree with your sentiment, but this is due to a Supreme Court decision from the end of the last Obama administration. In other words, this happened before everything was ruined for everyone.
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u/DressAggravating913 Jul 28 '25
Is this an employer plan (judging by the tag)? I don’t think BCBS would do that seeing their are a national carrier but depending on the type of plan you have, if it’s employer, some organizations may seek exemptions to the the ACA rule when offering plans to employees. Birth control is part of preventive care. I would talk to HR or whoever is in charge of that within your employer’s office.
In the meantime… Do you have any Community Health Centers near you? You might need to see a dr there but birth control out of pocket is a lot cheaper. I used to go to one a few years ago and would pay 9$ for a 3 month period. You can also appeal with the insurance as they are not following ACA rules.
Edit: wrong pontuaction
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u/jinxlover13 Jul 28 '25
They can claim a religious exemption for birth control, abortion, gender reassignment surgery, etc for self funded plans. However, sometimes the insurance company still has to cover an option (for example a cheap birth control) and then submits it to the federal govt for reimbursement, related to the ACA section 1557, which is something the current regime wants removed.
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u/Actual-Government96 Jul 28 '25
Where I am, the self-funded employer still gets to decide if they will allow the insurer to provide the benefit (outside if their $ and contract), which is absolutely bonkers.
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u/Puzzled_Bumblebee801 Jul 28 '25
In Virginia you can also get birth control pills through your city/county health department.
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u/Creative_Response593 Jul 28 '25
Welcome to Theocracy. Next time you'll be denied because you aren't Christian.
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u/jerzeett Jul 28 '25
Have you heard the news? They’re allowing doctors to deny to treat you based or “religious or moral reasons” . So they can indeed decide not to treat an unmarried pregnant woman who isn’t Christian- it’s already happened since they changed the law.
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u/Adorable-Tiger6390 Jul 28 '25
What exactly is $2000?
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u/sweetbabycoconut Jul 28 '25
iud removal & replacement
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u/babylovebuckley Jul 28 '25
You can likely get a medical exemption. I had to do that when I was covered by Catholic insurance (also BCBS, but via a Catholic university), my doctor just had to submit a note saying it was for medical and not contraceptive purposes.
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u/redditredditredditOP Jul 28 '25
Get the denial in writing, with the reason.
Ask your doctor what other options there are and if there is something that exists but is more expensive, get prior authorization and use their denial against them.
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u/MountainFriend7473 Jul 28 '25
If it’s a healthcare sharing ministry sharing plan, they can do that because they don’t go through the same guidelines other major commercial insurances go through.
If it is commercial then it’s probably your employer. So id see about marketplace or see about getting a different job if next year they are likely to continue wanting to be exempted from providing contraceptive coverage.
I’ve gotten my BC for Acne.
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u/Ok-Equal-4252 Jul 28 '25
Hers (forhers.com) has a subscription service with tons of birth control options, they start at $12/month
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u/unknownokie Jul 28 '25
Check if you have the women’s health plan through United Benefit Advisors, should be the same ID for blue cross, but contraceptive claims get filed to UBA, hr or blue cross should be able to advise if you are part of the plan.
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u/Bunnyslippered Jul 28 '25
Not sure which state, but some, like Washington have laws around coverage. This should help.
https://legalvoice.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Your_Rights_to_Birth_Control_WA.pdf
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u/karmaapple3 Jul 28 '25
Welp. That was what happens when you sign up with Christian insurance. They don't care that you have actual medical problems, they just wanna make sure you're free to keep pumping out those babies.
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u/No_Garage_4232 Jul 29 '25
A lot of local health departments offer a range of contraception at zero to little cost.
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u/Creepy-Swordfish1676 Jul 29 '25
I used Nurx for YEARS and have nothing but good things to say about them. Cheapest pills are $15/month and they shipped them straight to my door. I have a better job with great healthcare and a pharmacy up the street so I don’t use Nurx anymore, but they’re wonderful.
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u/Plenty-Western-2806 Jul 29 '25
Your local health department will dispense birth control for free. We ran into this when trying to get Nexplanon covered. My insurance wanted the GYN is use their special CVS pharmacy to have the device shipped to them and then charge for the insertion fee. The GYN refused, I do not blame them, they have their own stock of devices to use and ALL birth control should be free. They told us to go to health dept. It was free. I live in a (very) red state. This was after I spent 2 hours getting the run around from the insurance. We never could get a straight answer on why it isn’t covered.
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u/smartypants333 Jul 30 '25
Costco and Sam's club both sell O-Pill which is about $50 for 3 months supply.
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u/Historical_Buy6458 Jul 30 '25
Go to a different state and seek help from planned parent hood. Use to work at a similar facility I'm in NY I have seen people from a decent ways away. You can also talk to social services if available
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u/thepriceofcucumbers Jul 31 '25
Check your local health department. Many are set up to provide contraception at no cost.
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u/Rhiannon1954 Aug 01 '25
Try Good Rx as well. Dropped 1 Rx not covered on my insurance from $125 mo. to $30 mo.
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u/Big_Maintenance9387 Jul 28 '25
It might be cost effective to get a hormonal iud instead? Idk maybe you’ve tried that. But I love mine and I bleed maybe once every 3 months for literally half an hour. Without any other period symptoms (I have pmdd so I feel ya on needing to control them). I’m on my 3rd mirena IUD lol.
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u/HOWDOESTHISTHINGWERK Jul 28 '25
Are you sure this is major medical, ACA compliant insurance and not a health share?
Christian health shares are known for this type of thing, but not usually actual insurance products.
If it’s a health share, you might need to talk to your employer about finding a secular option.
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u/Informal-Lynx4583 Jul 28 '25
Hobby lobby carves out contraceptives… some plans are still grandfathered.
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u/chickenmcdiddle Moderator Jul 28 '25
It's not even a matter of being grandfathered. Self-funded plans can specifically exclude coverage for certain things on moral or religious grounds.
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u/LadyGreyIcedTea Jul 28 '25
Pretty sure my Catholic college alma mater does for their employees as well.
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u/lascriptori Jul 28 '25
Are you just looking for oral contraceptive pills, or a device like a nexplanon or IUD?
For pills, a couple of easy options are either buying Opill over the counter (you can get it at a drugstore, grocery store, walmart, online, etc) or going through an online service like Nurx out of pocket.
If you're looking for an IUD or implant, a Title X clinic is a good option. If you're in Seattle you have lots of options, including Planned Parenthoods. You can find a provider here. You can also go through them for birth control pills. Let them know that you're looking for self pay sliding scale services.
There is also this program in Washington that you may be eligible for even though you have insurance, since your insurance doesn't cover family planning. https://www.hca.wa.gov/free-or-low-cost-health-care/i-need-medical-dental-or-vision-care/family-planning-only
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u/discoduck007 Jul 29 '25
The pedophile heroin addict with a brainworm is working on defunding immunisations next.
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