Pregnancies and Health Expenditures from Dispensing up to a One-Year Supply of Hormonal Contraception

Diana G. Foster, University of California, San Francisco
Antonia Biggs, University of California, San Francisco
Mike Howell, University of California, San Francisco
Denis Hulett, California Department of Health Care Services
Mary Bradsberry, University of California, San Francisco
Claire Brindis, University of California, San Francisco
Philip Darney, University of California, San Francisco

The cost effectiveness of contraceptive methods is an important issue for healthcare policy and financing an an important motivator in providing services that improve women’s reproductive health. This paper presents data on the costs of providing short term hormonal methods, the duration of contraceptive use and the timing, number and public cost of subsequent pregnancies in California. Women dispensed a greater supply of contraceptives experience a lower pregnancy rate over the course of the year following dispensing. The total cost for reproductive healthcare from dispensing a year supply of each of these methods of contraception is lower than that of a one month supply when the costs of pregnancy-related care are included.