When it comes to contraception, there are a few things to consider before choosing the right option for you. But sometimes the most difficult decision may be actually deciding where and how to obtain your preferred method of birth control.

In 2003, New York state passed The Women’s Heath and Wellness Act requiring insurance plans that cover other prescription medicines to provide equal coverage for birth control and women’s health care.

Even though coverage is now mandated by law, health care providers and third parties like local pharmacies can still make it difficult for women to obtain birth control, according to Rachel Light, receivables manager for Planned Parenthood of South Central New York. Organizations like Planned Parenthood and Health Services on campus work to make contraception more accessible for students and teens.

ON-CAMPUS ACCESS

For Binghamton University students, the most immediate access to oral contraceptives can be found at the Health Services center on campus.

Students are provided with a free initial exam covered by tuition fees and are provided with free oral contraceptives on an availability basis, usually for a month or two. They are then provided with a prescription they can have filled at any local pharmacy.

‘I was first on birth control through my own insurance, but at school I got was able to get packs through health services and they didn’t give me a hard time at all getting it done,’ said senior human development major Yolanda Davis. ‘They were pleasant about it. I walked in, it all lasted about 30 minutes and I walked out with what I needed,’ she said.

When it comes to covering the price of the prescription, the cost varies depending on a student’s personal health insurance coverage.

Bridget McCane, health education coordinator at Health Services, said it depends on the student’s health insurance.

‘You really need to know the provisions of your health care plan,’ McCane said. ‘Some plans have a prescription benefit and a student would pay a certain percentage of the total cost. But certainly if you don’t want the guarantor to know, then you can pay out of pocket.’

Some students who are hesitant about approaching their parents about birth control may find fronting the monthly costs out of pocket daunting, but there are options to help deal with this. If a students do decide to keep their parents out of the equation, organizations like Planned Parenthood can provide them with free or substantially discounted birth control.

PROCURING WITH PRIVACY

At Planned Parenthood, the focus is on confidentiality for women, as well as assistance with covering the financial aspects of birth control. Light said she understands the difficulty some teens face when making the decision about birth control.

‘We encourage parents to be involved, but we know that sometimes it’s not in the best interest of the teen,’ Light said.

Planned Parenthood, a national organization funded by state grants, is able to provide women with a 20 to 80 percent sliding scale discount on the cost of contraceptives if a woman is not willing to process it through their personal health insurance.

Ingrid Husisian, director of public communications for Planned Parenthood of South Central New York, said most women usually receive an 80 percent discount on their medication.

‘Pricing is based on individual income and ability to pay, but we never turn away anyone due to inability to pay because our mission is to provide access to birth control and health care,’ Husisian said.

As another measure of confidentiality, Planned Parenthood is also able to directly provide regular patients with their monthly medication, cutting out the trip to the pharmacy.

‘Teens are not necessarily going to be comfortable going to a small pharmacy because they don’t know who will see them, whereas Planned Parenthood’s is confidential,’ Light said.

Many students choose Planned Parenthood as an option when attempting to be responsible, while still opting to keep their parents out of the loop.

Amanda Scheinson, a graduate accounting student, said she has friends who have used Planned Parenthood to obtain birth control.

‘I feel like most parents would probably be happier to know that their kids are on the pill instead of them hiding it,’ she said. ‘[Planned Parenthood is] not always as simple as going through your own doctor because you have to answer all the insurance questions, but it works.’

The amount of coverage provided by Health Services and Planned Parenthood differs because of financial variables, but both promote options for easy accessibility to birth control for students and teenagers. Health Services is also able to provide Plan B emergency contraception to students, free of charge and without the need for a prescription. Planned Parenthood can do the same for teenagers 18 and older.