Healey-Driscoll Administration Makes Over-the-Counter Birth Control and Prenatal Vitamins Free for Half A Million Patients
New standing orders will improve reproductive and
maternal health for MassHealth and Health Safety Net members
BOSTON – Today, the Healey-Driscoll
Administration announced two standing orders that will allow eligible
MassHealth members and Health Safety Net (HSN) patients to access prenatal
vitamins and over the counter (OTC) oral contraceptives at no cost. This move
is part of the administration’s commitment to improving reproductive and
maternal health outcomes and reducing health disparities for women and
infants.
“Our administration is committed to expanding access to
reproductive and maternal health care across Massachusetts. We know that
prenatal vitamins and birth control play a really important role in women’s
health,” said Governor Maura Healey. “With these orders, we are
making it easier and more affordable for people to make the best health care
decisions for themselves, will improve health outcomes for women and babies,
and will reduce health disparities.”
"By expanding access to birth control and prenatal
vitamins for MassHealth members in every community in Massachusetts, we're
supporting people to make more informed choices for themselves,” said Lieutenant
Governor Kim Driscoll. “In turn, this will lead to a healthier
Massachusetts for everyone.”
These standing orders are designed to improve access to
essential reproductive health medications, listed below. These medications will
be available at all MassHealth enrolled pharmacies.
- Standing Order for Prenatal Vitamins: Eligible
MassHealth members and HSN patients can receive up to a 90-day supply of
OTC prenatal vitamins or multivitamins containing at least 400 mcg of
folic acid. This Standing Order will help ensure that those who are
capable of becoming pregnant, considering pregnancy, attempting to become
pregnant, are pregnant, or nursing receive the essential nutrients needed.
Pharmacists will be required to counsel patients on the use of prenatal
vitamins, including appropriate initiation and discontinuation, and encourage
follow-up with a primary care provider or obstetrician/gynecologist.
MassHealth currently covers 40 percent of all births in
Massachusetts.
- Standing Order for Oral Hormonal Contraceptives:
Allows pharmacists to dispense up to a 365-day supply of OTC oral hormonal
contraceptives, specifically norgestrel 0.075 mg tablets, to eligible
MassHealth members and HSN patients. The standing order ensures that birth
control is accessible to individuals of reproductive potential and age. As
part of this initiative, pharmacists will be required to counsel patients
on contraindications, side effects, and the proper use of the birth
control pill, emphasizing the importance of daily adherence and informing
patients that the pill does not protect against sexually transmitted
infections.
“We’re working to make sure that everyone in Massachusetts
has access to the health care tools they need to live their best lives,”
said Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh. "Now,
MassHealth members can get prenatal vitamins and birth control pills for free,
over- the- counter. Removing barriers like this is one of the simplest ways we
can work toward better health outcomes for mothers and infants in our
state.”
“MassHealth is committed to supporting reproductive health
and family planning choices, ensuring that all members regardless of their
circumstances can access comprehensive health care,” said Assistant
Secretary for MassHealth Mike Levine.
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