I took care of a patient who I’ll call Lisa. Lisa had disability insurance because of her multiple medical problems. She was suffering from anemia from her heavy menstrual periods and would have had a very high-risk pregnancy if she became pregnant.

Therefore, we agreed together that she was the perfect candidate for a Mirena IUD since it would both prevent pregnancy and treat her heavy periods and anemia. Initially, we had difficulty getting her insurance to cover the IUD placement because it does not cover contraception.

Only after we called Medicaid multiple times and I wrote a letter explaining that it was a medical necessity for her anemia and heavy bleeding did they agree to cover the IUD placement.

Patients should be able to have access to their contraceptive method of choice, at an affordable price, at the time that they need it.