Whether we live in the Smoky mountains, by the great Mississippi or anywhere in between, all Tennesseans deserve access to the care we need in our own communities. That includes contraception and birth control (also known as contraception)!
Starting this year, Tennesseans on TennCare are eligible to receive a 12-month supply of prescription birth control at one time for free!
Follow these steps to get your 12-month supply of birth control:
#1 Get a prescription for birth control. Birth control prescriptions are available at no cost through your medical provider, local health department, or Title X clinic. Some pharmacists may also provide prescriptions for birth control, but they may charge you directly. You can ask your pharmacy for more information.
#2 Go to an in-network pharmacy to fill your prescription. An “in-network” pharmacy means a pharmacy that is covered by your health insurance plan. If you are on TennCare or CoverKids, your plan will be through Blue Cross Blue Shield (BlueCare or TennCare Select), Wellpoint, or United Healthcare (Community Plan or Tennessee CoverKids).
#3 Ask for a 12-Month Supply. Most providers write prescriptions for one year (12 months, but they direct pharmacists to only give 90 days at a time). But it doesn’t hurt to ask your healthcare provider if you’re unsure. When you go to a covered pharmacy, you should be able to ask for a 12-month supply at the pharmacy counter. All covered pharmacies were alerted of this benefit change in December of 2024. Since this is a covered benefit, you should be able to walk out with a full 12-month supply of birth control!
Having trouble accessing a 12-month supply? Try these steps:
#1 Confirm you are on TennCare or CoverKids. If your pharmacy is trying to charge you for your prescription, you may no longer be on TennCare. Call the number on the back of your insurance card to confirm that you are still enrolled in TennCare. The state is required to notify you if they take you off TennCare. For more assistance with TennCare access, please reach out to the Tennessee Justice Center via their website or call 1-877-608-1009.
#2 Confirm your birth control medication is covered by your insurance plan. Your specific birth control may not be covered by your plan. Generally, your pharmacist should be able to tell you if this is the case. You can call the number on the back of your insurance card to confirm and call your healthcare provider to write you a new prescription for a covered form of birth control. Your provider may also be able to help advocate with your insurance company if you need a specific birth control.Your provider may be able to get coverage for the initial birth control if they deem that specific birth control is “medically necessary.”
#3 Call your pharmacy benefit plan manager to explain the problem. If you are having a problem with a specific pharmacy, you can reach out to your plan’s pharmacy benefit center. They can help figure out where the problem is and how to resolve it.
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Tennessee’s 12-month supply law covers all methods of self-administered birth control (think pills, rings, patches, etc.). Federal law requires most insurers to cover at least one form of most methods of birth control (think a specific birth control pill brand instead of all birth control pills).
It can be difficult to know if your preferred birth control is covered. Here is a list of covered birth control by insurance plan as of July 1, 2025. For the most up-to-date information, please check your plan’s website.
TennCare Pharmacy and Prescription Benefit Look Up
TennCare Formulary (what medications TennCare covers - see page 21 for birth control)
CoverKids Formulary (what medications are preferred - see tier 1 medications)
NOTE: Tennessee allows pharmacists (and others) to refuse to provide services that conflict with their religious beliefs. Because of this law, a pharmacist may choose not to fill your birth control prescription and can refuse to send the prescription to another pharmacy. Let’s be clear: there’s nothing wrong with using birth control. You deserve to have the care you need. If you are refused care, please use another covered pharmacy to access your birth control.
We’re working to change the law to ensure that everyone has access to a 12-month supply of birth control! SB 589 / HB 169 is a bipartisan bill that would allow all Tennesseans with a state-regulated form of health insurance to access a 12-month supply of birth control at one time. This change is particularly important for people who live far away from pharmacies, have inconsistent insurance coverage, are disabled, or just want to have another longer term birth control option.
If you would benefit from a 12-month supply or care about this issue, use this link to send an email to your state Senator and Representative asking them to support SB 589 / HB 169, and we’ll keep you updated on advocacy opportunities.
Note: You may still be able to access a 12-month supply. Call the number on the back of your insurance card and ask to speak about pharmacy benefits to see if your insurance covers a 12-month supply.
PATIENT FAQS
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It largely depends on your plan. While your plan may cover over-the-counter birth control, you may still need a prescription to access it. See above for more information on getting prescriptions for birth control.
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You make the decisions that are best for you and your body. If you don’t like your current birth control, make an appointment with your provider to discuss options and make a change. This law only applies to refills and you have to ask for a 12-month supply. If you don’t feel confident about 12 months on your birth control method, you don’t have to ask for a 12-month supply. You can choose to go to the pharmacy and get a 3 month (90 day) supply 4 times a year, if you think you may not want to continue your method for 12 months.
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It does not matter if you switch insurance or lose coverage. This is a benefit for those currently enrolled in TennCare or CoverKids. You will not have to return your birth control or stay on a plan if something changes.
