Talk to your clinician or pharmacist about the ACCESS law

Some clinicians and pharmacists may not be aware of the ACCESS law. If you are eligible and experience any issues getting or filling a prescription, use these talking points to let them know about the law.

Once you learn about the ACCESS law and find out that you are covered by a fully insured health insurance plan, use the suggestions below to start a conversation with your clinician or pharmacist.

Accessing a year’s supply of prescription birth control

Talking to your clinician

What to say to your clinicians, including doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, or anyone who can prescribe you birth control:

• "I learned about a Massachusetts law called ACCESS, which allows me to get a year’s supply of prescription birth control at no cost, all at once. The law covers the pill, patches, rings, or injectable birth control."
• "I’m covered because of the health insurance plan that I have."
• You don’t have to provide a reason, but if you find it helpful, you could say: 
  "I’m interested in this because…"
  • "It’s difficult for me to get to the pharmacy every month."
  • "I don't want to worry about whether I can afford a birth control supply."
  • "I like the peace of mind of having a year’s supply of birth control at once."
  • Or another reason that feels right for you.
• "Can you write me a prescription?"
• "If you have questions about the ACCESS law, you can go to mass.gov/BirthControl."

Talking to your pharmacist

What to say to your pharmacists, so that they fill the year’s supply of prescription birth control at no cost:

• "I learned about a Massachusetts law called ACCESS, which allows me to get a year’s supply of prescription birth control at no cost, all at once. The law covers the pill, patches, rings, or injectable birth control."
• "I’m covered because of the health insurance plan that I have."
• "My doctor prescribed a year’s supply and it should be covered at no cost to me."
• "If you have questions about the ACCESS law, go to mass.gov/BirthControl."

Some pharmacists are licensed to prescribe birth control. What to say to your pharmacists, if you need a prescription:

• “I learned that some pharmacists are licensed to prescribe birth control. Is there someone at this pharmacy who is able to prescribe a year’s supply of birth control for me?” 

If you are on a MassHealth or are a Health Safety Net (HSN) patient, you can receive a one-year supply of over-the-counter birth control, specifically norgestrel 0.075 mg tablets (Opill®), at no cost. What to say to your pharmacist if you’re eligible:

• “I learned that pharmacists can dispense a one-year supply of norgestrel 0.075 mg tablets (Opill®) through a statewide standing order. This was put into place in March 2025."
• “I’m eligible because of the insurance plan I’m on” 

Accessing no-cost emergency contraception

Talking to your clinician

What to say to your clinicians, including doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, or anyone who can prescribe you emergency contraception pills:

• "I learned about a Massachusetts law called ACCESS, which allows me to get the emergency contraception pill at no cost with a prescription, like levonorgestrel (Plan B One-Step®) or ulipristal acetate (ella®)."
• "I’m covered because of the health insurance plan that I have."
• You don’t have to provide a reason, but if you find it helpful, you could say:  
  "I’m interested in this because..."
  • "I’d like to have the emergency contraception pill at home before I may need it."
  • "I don’t want to worry about the cost of the emergency contraception pill."
  • Or another reason that feels right for you.

• "Can you write me a prescription?"
• "If you have questions about the ACCESS law, you can go to mass.gov/BirthControl."

Talking to your pharmacist

What to say to your pharmacists, so that they fill the emergency contraception prescription* at no cost:

• "I learned about a Massachusetts law called ACCESS, which allows me to get the emergency contraception pill at no cost with a prescription, like levonorgestrel (Plan B One-Step®) or ulipristal acetate (ella®)."
• "I’m covered because of the health insurance plan that I have."
• "My doctor prescribed [levonorgestrel (Plan B One-Step®) or ulipristal acetate (ella®)] and it should be covered at no cost to me."
  • OR “Will you fill a prescription for emergency contraception for me? I learned that pharmacists are able to dispense it because of a statewide standing order.”
• "If you have questions about the ACCESS law, go to mass.gov/BirthControl."

*If you don’t have a prescription, pharmacists may still be able to still dispense emergency contraception through a standing order.