Durham Medicaid Recipients Get Opill Covered

Starting Thursday, Aug. 1, Medicaid in North Carolina covers the over-the-counter contraceptive Opill, the first oral contraception of its kind to win approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

“North Carolina is working to expand access to health care and that includes the freedom to make decisions about family planning,” said Gov. Roy Cooper in a statement issued on July 31. “Making birth control easier to get is an important goal and I’m glad that NC Medicaid can take this step.”

North Carolina Session Law 2021-110/HB 96 grants authority to pharmacists to prescribe a variety of contraception under protocols approved by the NC Board of Pharmacy and the NC Medical Board. NC Medicaid began enrolling pharmacists as providers in January 2024. To date, there are more than 330 retail and commercial pharmacies in 92 counties providing contraceptive services.

More information about coverage for Opill is available in the NC Medicaid bulletin. To find a pharmacy providing pharmacy-initiated contraceptive services in North Carolina, visit ncpharmacyfinder.com.