If this expands nationwide, I expect that quality condoms will become extinct, and we'll be stuck with the generics that you presently get from the campus health center.

The inclusion of vasectomy/sterilization is pretty significant. Is this for all types of plans, even the most basic? If so, I'm frankly shocked.

@1:

I don't know how it works with condoms, but most other generic products are pretty much the same quality as name-brand equivalents, and are frequently made by the same manufacturer(s) - they just don't have the branding to justify the up-charge.

@1 if this falls under the same laws as prescriptions, you can ask for the name brand.

it's not free. it's "free", as in, pre-paid when you pay your insurance bill.

@1 If condoms are covered by insurance it won't be long before somebody reformulates them out of dextrorotary latex which is functionally equivalent but fabulously expensive and that's all that will be available at Walgreens, $10/condom = more money, unless you tell them you are un-insured and they brush off a pack of lambskins for you.

@2 It applies to all "state-regulated" plans, which is not the same thing as all plans. If you have an out-of-state employer providing your insurance, you might find that you are not eligible.

Similarly, there are some exceptions unique to HSA plans.

Bottom line: don't rely on the Stranger if you want accurate information. Check with a reliable source instead.

Hey Rich - Perhaps a word of warning and a follow up are called for here...

I believe the person I talked to at the OIC said she was unaware of any provision that keeps this from being explicitly listed in your statement of benefits.

Which is to say that depending on the insurance company's practices, it may be clear to people on the financial side (parents, spouse, or possibly employer) what contraceptive benefits you accessed.

@7: Good point. It doesn't apply to me regardless as I can't actually afford any healthcare coverage, even the "cheap" state ones. If the procedure is covered by healthcare, then it'd likely be cheaper for me to pay for it out of pocket, instead of throwing away $4k+ on a health plan over the course of the year.

I'll take 100,000 please. No, make that 600,000, let's make a REAL dent in this stupid idea.