Since 1972, states have been required to provide family planning services in their Medicaid programs. Now, under the Affordable Care Act, states have the option to offer such services (PDF, 175.39 KB), under state plan authority, to individuals who would not otherwise be eligible for Medicaid. This has greatly expanded the number of people who can benefit from these fundamental services.
All state Medicaid programs must offer some family planning benefits, and most provide coverage for prescription contraceptives, as well as health education and promotion, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and preconception services such as screening for obesity, smoking, and mental illness. In 2013, women with Medicaid coverage were more likely than women with private insurance to report they had spoken with a provider about contraception or birth control, sexual history or relationships, HIV and domestic violence.