The people who offer sexual and reproductive health services or help with family planning include the following.
- Your primary care provider
- A doctor called an “OB/GYN”
- A certified nurse midwife
To get help with sexual and reproductive health services, you can call one of them or your health plan. You can also find a family planning provider in your area on the map at Sexual and Reproductive Health Service Locations.
You can talk to these providers about any health concerns or symptoms you are having. They can let you know about tests and treatments that may be right for you.
What MassHealth pays for (Covered services)
MassHealth covers healthcare services for eligible MassHealth members for 12 months following the end of pregnancy, no matter your immigration status or how the pregnancy ends.
Even if you are planning to have an abortion, let us know that you are pregnant to make sure you have healthcare coverage during this time and for 12 months after your pregnancy ends.
If you had a miscarriage or abortion within the last three months, you may be eligible for 12 months of continuous coverage starting from when the pregnancy ended. All coverage is subject to MassHealth coverage limitations. Call the MassHealth Customer Service Center at (800) 841-2900, TDD/TTY: 711.
Emergency contraception and abortion
We support your choices about if and when you want to have a baby. Emergency contraception (EC) and abortion are legal in Massachusetts. With emergency contraception, you can prevent pregnancy after sex. An abortion ends a pregnancy. Go to The facts about emergency contraception to learn more.
Warning: Places called “crisis pregnancy centers” or “pregnancy resource centers” are not part of MassHealth, and they don't offer the reproductive health services described above. See the warning from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for more information.
Family planning services
- Counseling for birth control to understand your options.
- Prescriptions for you to get birth control pills, patch, ring, or injection. You can ask your doctor for a 12-month supply of birth control pills (learn about the Massachusetts ACCESS law.) MassHealth members can get over-the-counter oral hormonal contraception (for example, Opill®) free of charge at their local pharmacy without a prescription from a provider.
- Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC), which is birth control that works for a long time and can be changed or stopped when you want.
- Emergency contraception such as Plan B or the morning-after pill. You can get these at a pharmacy without a prescription.
- Abortion (ending a pregnancy) with medication or surgery.
- Permanent sterilization procedures for people who are 18 and older. Sterilization procedures are surgeries that permanently prevent pregnancy. For permanent sterilization procedures, you must sign a consent form and then have to wait 30 days to have the surgery done. This is required by law. See the Resources section below to learn where to get the consent form.
- Fertility testing if you are having trouble getting pregnant to find out if you have infertility.
Other sexual and reproductive health services
- All the services you need during your pregnancy, labor and delivery, and through the 12 months after the end of your pregnancy, regardless of how your pregnancy ends. Learn more at Information for Pregnant MassHealth Members.
- Gender-affirming care, including healthcare services to support transgender and nonbinary people.
- Testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
- Testing and treatment for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This includes medication called Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP).
- Regular testing like breast exams, pelvic exams, and Pap tests to prevent or find any sexual or reproductive health conditions or cancers.
- Help with different sexual or reproductive health conditions or concerns such as irregular or painful periods, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), fibroids, endometriosis, or urinary tract infections.
- Help with menopause and any concerns you may have.
Call us at (800) 841-2900, TDD/TTY: 711 with questions or to find out about your MassHealth plan. If you need help understanding what MassHealth pays for (your coverage), you can also contact My Ombudsman. Free support is available in many languages.
You may be able to get free transportation to your medical appointments and other MassHealth covered services if you need it. Talk to your healthcare provider or learn more here.
Resources
- Learn more about sexual and reproductive health.
- Find a sexual and reproductive health services location near you.
- Learn about the Massachusetts ACCESS law, which gives eligible residents a year’s supply of no-cost birth control and easier access to emergency contraception.
- Learn more about accessing abortion care in Massachusetts.
- Explore resources for pregnant MassHealth members.
- Learn more about crisis pregnancy centers.
- Sterilization consent forms:
- MassHealth’s standing order for over-the-counter oral hormonal birth control.
| Date published: | May 9, 2024 |
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