Long-acting reversible birth control, like intrauterine devices (IUDs) and arm implants, are considered the most effective contraceptives on the market.
But some patients may have trouble getting access to them.
That’s according to Dr. Rahmat Na’Allah with UnityPoint’s Family Medical Center.
“There are some providers that — either they do not place it for religious reasons, or they haven’t learned to place it, or it’s not part of their practice,” Na’Allah said.
For example, she said, internal medicine doctors may not necessarily be trained on how to insert an IUD.
Still, Na’Allah said many patients prefer these contraceptives because they don’t require daily maintenance.
She also said they’ve helped make a dent in the rate of teen pregnancy.
“So if I see a 15-year-old come to my clinic and [the arm implant] Nexplanon is good for three years, I know that — unless she comes back to have it taken out — she’s not going to get pregnant until she’s 18,” Na’Allah said. “Her high school dropout rate is going to be lower and her chance of being a meaningful member of society is going to be high.”
She said almost all Medicaid and private insurance programs cover long-acting, reversible birth control. Uninsured patients can receive assistance at Heartland Health Services’ Carver clinic.
UnityPoint’s Family Medical Center is now offering a monthly long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) clinic in partnership with the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria.
Copyright 2021 WCBU. To see more, visit WCBU. 9(MDIwMjIxMDA0MDE0Mzk4NDIzNjA0OGQ5Yg001))
