Contraception coverage saves money

In addition to its potential health benefits for women, insurance coverage of contraception is cost-effective and cost-saving for society, according to Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) health policy researcher Daniel Liebman. Tallying up the evidence for The Incidental Economist blog, Liebman found that unintended pregnancies generate annual costs in the U.S. of more than $5 billion — much higher than the cost of contraception to prevent unintended pregnancies.

Investments in contraceptive coverage for low-income women, who may otherwise not be able to afford it, are particularly cost-effective. Liebman cites several studies that found savings of more than $3 in health care costs for every $1 spent.

“There are undeniable economic benefits of contraception for society as a whole,” Liebman wrote in the July 9, 2014 post.

Read The Incidental Economist post: Does contraceptive coverage pay for itself? A review of the evidence.

Read Vox coverage: Birth control saves money. Lots of it.