Downriver Today

As the debate over reproductive rights continues, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) and the state's health leaders are doing their part to make sure women know health insurance plans are required to cover the cost of contraception for women and other related services.

Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) Director Anita Fox said such services have no out-of-pocket costs for women under the Affordable Care Act.

"DIFS stands ready to assist Michiganders with questions or complaints about coverage for reproductive health services," Fox said in a news release. "For more information, visit the new DIFS contraception website or call DIFS at 877-999-6442, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m."

Last month, the state launched a new consumer website to help women better understand what reproductive health services are covered under insurance.

Whitmer said the tool was created because almost every woman will use contraception at some point in their lifetime. 

"We are doing all we can to make sure that contraception and other reproductive health services remain accessible to Michiganders who count on them," Whitmer said in the release.

According to the press release, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Elizabeth Hertel called access to affordable or no-cost contraception "vitally important when it comes to providing reproductive health care services to enable women to plan for pregnancy at a time that works best for themselves and their family."