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.