Is contraception covered by the Affordable Care Act?

Under the Affordable Care Act, one of the women’s preventive services that is covered without cost-sharing requirements includes contraception and contraceptive counseling. Women have access to all Food and Drug Administration-approved contraceptive methods, sterilization procedures, and patient education and counseling. These recommendations do not include abortifacient drugs. Most workers in employer-sponsored plans are covered for contraceptives. Family planning services are an essential preventive service for women and critical to appropriately spacing and ensuring intended pregnancies, which results in improved maternal health and better birth outcomes.