Dispensing a yearlong supply of birth control pills upfront may be key to both preventing unwanted pregnancy as well as lowering health care costs, according to a new study.
If a woman misses two days of birth control pills in a row, she is at an increased risk for pregnancy.Dispensing a yearlong supply of birth control pills upfront may be key to both preventing unwanted pregnancy as well as lowering health care costs, according to a new study from researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs published in JAMA Internal Medicine on Monday.
The birth control pill, formally known as oral contraceptive pill or OCP, is 99.9% effective if taken as directed, according to Mayo Clinic. While OCPs are nearly always written to cover a full year, they’re usually dispensed in 30, 60, or 90-day increments, depending on insurance coverage. A previous study found that a one-year supply of birth control pills compared to a 30 to 90 day supply reduced the odds of unintended pregnancy among California family planning program clients by 30%, further supporting the notion that a one-year supply of birth control is a more effective dispensing method.
The mathematical model researchers used was based on 24,309 heterosexually active female VA enrollees between the ages of 18 and 46 who did not want to get pregnant for at least one year. The model did not attempt to compare the effectiveness and financial benefits of alternative long-acting reversible contraceptives that the VA also currently offers -- birth control pills are the most commonly used contraceptive method in the U.S.
Dr. Hayes acknowledged the problem of gaps in OCP coverage, and said the VA tries to help women who want to prevent pregnancy with a wide range of options to make it easy to get birth control pills, including phone and online prescription refills. “Prescriptions for contraception are nearly always written for a full year, and practice guidelines recommend that women receive well-woman/preventive care visits once annually,” said Judge-Golden.
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