“But Health Insurance Covers Viagra!”
Can someone explain to me where this myth that health insurance (a monolithic entity apparently) covers Viagra, but not birth control comes from? I would like to refute it with concrete evidence, but without knowing where they get this idea, it’s hard not to give vague answers.
However, as someone who both works in the health insurance industry and who has lived with someone who has a health related birth control prescription, I can tell you this line is a complete lie.
First off: what insurance are we talking about? Because insurance will cover just about anything if you’re willing to pay the premiums. There is no one health insurance plan.
Second: Did you completely miss the last 4+ years?! Thanks to Obamacare, birth control is an essential health benefit. Not just for women who have unhealthy periods, but for every day contraceptive (this varies by state and insurer, but it is federally mandated).
Third: Viagra is not always covered by health insurance. When it is, it’s usually because it treats more than just ED, since the disorders that cause ED also cause or are caused by other serious issues. Of course, insurance companies may also cover ED, because 1) ED is an actual medical condition and 2) it fall under ‘infertility treatment.’ And again, you can get insurance that covers just about anything, as long as you’re willing to pay the premiums.
Fourth: Where do you get the idea that health insurance doesn’t cover contraceptives?! Because even before the Affordable Care Act, it absolutely did. Or could, depending on your plan. Most health insurance would only cover health related BC. For instance, my sister has been on BC since early puberty because she has really horrible periods (like, severe hormonal imbalance and black out inducing migraines). Guess what? Her health insurance covered that, because it was a health related issue.
Coda: Tampons, pads, and etc. are not covered by insurance because they are not directly health care related. That’s like asking your health insurance to cover health foods. Yes, those help, but that’s not it’s purpose. Insurance will cover pain medications for your period if they are perscribed by your doctor. But they won’t cover regular over the counter stuff for the same reason they don’t cover any other over the counter stuff.
TL;DR: Health insurance will cover whatever you’re willing to pay premiums on. Viagra is not universally covered. Birth control is now considered an Essential Health Benefit, and has always been covered for those with medical issues. It’s not because sexism, it’s because medical need and cost.
