Important Changes to NJ Prescription Female Contraceptive Mandate

On December 15, 2017, the New Jersey legislature voted to update the existing NJ prescription female contraceptive mandate, requiring all health insurance and medical providers to cover prescription female contraceptive drugs and devices in the same way that other prescription drugs are covered.

The updated mandate specifically states that coverage provided shall include prescriptions for dispensing contraceptives for:

• A three-month period for the first dispensing of the contraceptive.
• A six-month period for any subsequent dispensing of the same contraceptive, regardless of whether coverage under the contract was in effect at the time of the first dispensing.¹

This legislation is effective:

• March 15, 2018, for fully insured groups.
• Upon renewal on or after March 15, 2018, for self-insured health plans. Self-insured health plans may opt out of the revised mandate and have been advised by their Horizon BCBSNJ sales executive or account managers on their options.

An entity subject to this section may provide coverage for a supply of contraceptives that is for less than a six-month period, if a six-month period would extend beyond the term of the contract.