Family planning waiver program offers inexpensive options for eligible females

A new state program that aims to keep birth control and other reproductive healthcare affordable to all women despite the increasing costs. The Wisconsin Medicaid Family Planning Waiver Program is a statewide program that provides contraceptive services and related reproductive health care to eligible women. While some college students no longer rely on their parents' insurance coverage to cover basic health-related expenses, the program is trying to make it easier for them to afford. The goal of the program is to help reduce the number of unintended pregnancies and provide reproductive healthcare to women who cannot otherwise receive such services. "It is an important program," Health Services Director Ruth Swisher said. "Not only does it provide students with reproductive health needs, it can also provide more comprehensive care." The waiver program provides reproductive health exams, birth control, condoms, pregnancy tests, STD testing and emergency contraception. The birth control methods provided include the pill, patch, ring or injection. It is an inexpensive alternative to the otherwise expensive costs of obtaining prescriptions and services from clinics. On average, birth control pills can cost anywhere from $50 to $75 per month. Two shots of the birth control Depo Provera cost $65. Women who enroll in the program can receive these prescriptions and services for free or at a discounted rate. To qualify for the program, women must be between the ages of 15 and 44, and a United States citizen living in Wisconsin. Applicants cannot be receiving assistance from other healthcare programs like BadgerCare Plus or Forward Health. Income restrictions also apply. Eligible women must have a monthly income less than $1,800 for a one-person household, $2,426 for a two-person household and $3,051 for a four- person household. "What's nice about this program is that it is based on the student's monthly income, not the parents," Swisher said. Those involved in the program can receive these services from University Health and Counseling Services or from any Medicaid-certified provider. With the program in its infancy on a campus of 10,500 students, only a few hundred female students currently use the program. "We see lots of girls taking advantage of this program," Swisher said. "But we would like to see more." Swisher said getting the information about this program out to students has become a major issue for UHCS. "Besides the occasional article in the Royal Purple and brochures, we depend on word of mouth," Swisher said. "We are not allowed to send out campus-wide emails or anything like that in case some students take offense to it." Due to this, not many females on campus are aware of the program. "I had no idea that services like this were available here at UW-Whitewater," sophomore Carena Fassbender said. Those who are aware of the program said that having this program available on a college campus is a good idea. "If college students want to have sex or are having sex, it gives them a place to go," sophomore Elizabeth Stenz said. Only applicants who receive an "About Your Benefits" letter are qualified to receive the services. "It is a program. A female student has to enroll and be active in the program to receive services," Swisher said. "Students cannot just get birth control or condoms whenever they want." The approval process can take up to six weeks to complete. Those interested in applying for the program can call UHCS at 262-472-1300 to schedule an appointment. Applicants should provide a current photo ID card, UW-Whitewater ID, driver's license and payroll stubs from the past 30 days. If the applicant was not born in Wisconsin, a U.S. passport, birth certificate or citizenship ID card will be needed. "It is really important that people know about these services," Swisher said. "It is a wonderful opportunity for those actively trying not to conceive."

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