No-cost pregnancy tests and emergency contraception further expand reproductive health choices for New Mexicans

SANTA FE — Today, the New Mexico Human Services Department (HSD) announced the inclusion of Opill, the first over-the-counter daily oral contraceptive pill, in its coverage for Medicaid customers. Additionally, New Mexicans covered by Medicaid will have access to no-cost pregnancy tests and emergency contraception.

“We are dedicated to ensuring access to health care for all Medicaid customers,” said Alanna Dancis, Chief Medical Officer for the New Mexico Medicaid program. “The coverage of Opill is a step forward in empowering people with more choices in their reproductive health care — we encourage our customers and pharmacists to familiarize themselves with this new coverage option.”

Medicaid customers simply need to present the item at the pharmacy counter and there will be no cost for pregnancy tests, emergency contraception, and Opill, the new over-the-counter birth control pill.

HSD and The New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) have collaborated to provide pharmacists standing orders that will allow Medicaid customers to access over-the-counter products and medications with no copay. DOH standing orders will assure timely access to these essential health supplies by direct access from pharmacies.

Under Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s leadership, the state continues to support and expand access to reproductive health care. Not only through the inclusion of no-cost pregnancy tests, emergency contraception, and Opill for those enrolled in Medicaid, but enacting a law to safeguard abortion rights, establishing a hotline for reproductive healthcare assistance and supporting the healthcare workforce by introducing a new payment method for Medicaid-covered pregnancy terminations.

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We talk, interpret and smile in all languages.  We provide written information to our customers in both English and Spanish and interpretation services are available in 58 languages through our provider, CTS Language Link. For our hearing, and speech impaired customers, we utilize Relay New Mexico, a free 24-hour service that ensures equal communication access via the telephone to individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind or speech disabled.

The Human Services Department provides services and benefits to 978,206 New Mexicans through several programs including: the Medicaid Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Child Support Program, and several Behavioral Health Services.

 

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