RALEIGH, N.C. (WGHP) — The Opill oral contraceptive is now easily accessible for NC Medicaid beneficiaries.
According to a news release, Governor Roy Cooper, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and a representative from Walgreens announced that starting Thursday, Opill will be available through Medicaid-enrolled local and retail pharmacies, free and without a prescription for NC Medicaid policyholders. The pharmacies will be able to submit a claim for reimbursement.
Opill is the first FDA-approved over-the-counter oral contraception.
“North Carolina is working to expand access to health care and that includes the freedom to make decisions about family planning,” said Cooper. “Making birth control easier to get is an important goal and I’m glad that NC Medicaid can take this step.”
The release states the expansion of birth control services allows better access to health care by reducing barriers such as cost and the need for a prescription from a healthcare provider.
“Our goal is to ensure everyone has access to the right contraception and reproductive services at the right time in their community,” said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley. “This new coverage is part of our ongoing work to invest in child and family well-being by increasing access to health care and ultimately improving maternal and infant outcomes.”
The release also states that making Opill readily available builds on NCDHHS’ work to ensure more North Carolinians can access reproductive health services. It also emphasizes that “community access to contraception is particularly important in rural areas that have fewer providers and are considered maternal health and contraceptive deserts.
Visit the North Carolina Pharmacy Finder to find a pharmacy providing pharmacy-initiated contraceptive services.
