Oct. 23, 2025
Contraceptive care can contribute to positive health outcomes while helping patients achieve their personal reproductive goals, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It’s a cornerstone of preventive care, including in the postpartum period.
Closing care gaps: Contraceptive care includes screening, education, counseling and provision of contraceptives, according to HHS. It also includes follow-up care, including the removal, continuation and discontinuation of contraceptives.
To help you close potential gaps in care, we track the HHS measure Contraceptive Care for All Women for members of Blue Cross Community Health Plans℠. It tracks the percentage of women ages 15 to 44 at risk of unintended pregnancy who:
- Were provided a most effective or moderately effective method of contraception, such as intrauterine devices or systems, female sterilization, contraceptive implants, injectables, oral pills, patches, rings or diaphragms
- Were provided a long-acting reversible method of contraception, such as contraceptive implants, IUD or IUS
The measure is stratified into two age groups: women ages 15 to 20 and women ages 21 to 44.
Refer to HHS for information on documentation and coding for this measure.
For postpartum care: We track the HHS measure Postpartum Women − Most or Moderately Effective Contraceptive Methods. It identifies the percentage of women ages 15 to 44 who have had a live birth and who are provided a most or moderately effective method of contraception within three days of delivery and within 90 days of delivery.
Tips to consider: HHS recommends that providers offer easy-to-understand information on contraceptives based on patients’ needs and preferences. Other tips to consider to close potential care gaps:
- Offer telehealth services when appropriate.
- Consider offering same-day access to contraceptive methods when appropriate, including long-acting reversible methods such as IUDs.
- Discuss potential barriers to contraceptive access and use, and strategies for addressing them.
For our members with BCCHP℠: Access to family planning services is a covered benefit. We have information for them about contraceptive care, as well as details about Special Beginnings®. Our program supports pregnant members and members thinking of becoming pregnant. It also provides support for postpartum members for up to 6 weeks post-delivery.
This material is for informational/educational purposes only, is not intended to be medical advice or a definitive source for coding claims and is not a substitute for the independent medical judgment of a physician or other health care provider. Health care providers are encouraged to exercise their own independent medical judgment based upon their evaluation of their patients’ conditions and all available information, and to submit claims using the most appropriate code(s) based upon the medical record documentation and coding guidelines and reference materials. References to other third-party sources or organizations are not a representation, warranty or endorsement of such organization. The fact that a service or treatment is described in this material, is not a guarantee that the service or treatment is a covered benefit and members should refer to their certificate of coverage for more details, including benefits, limitations and exclusions. Regardless of benefits, the final decision about any service or treatment is between the member and their health care provider.