Medicaid Administrator Experiences with the Implementation of Immediate Postpartum Long-Acting Reversible Contraception

Objective: This study sought to understand state Medicaid agencies' experiences with implementing payment for long-acting reversible contraception devices inserted immediately postpartum.

Methods: We conducted semistructured telephone interviews with Medicaid representatives from 15 agencies that have specific payment methodology for immediate postpartum long-acting reversible contraception (IPLARC). Interviews investigated agency experiences with IPLARC policy implementation. Interviews were audio-recorded and professionally transcribed. We analyzed data thematically using qualitative content analysis principles.

Results: Described implementation experiences fell into three major categories: 1) payer preparedness regarding payment challenges, 2) health care system awareness, attitudes, and readiness to implement IPLARC policy in clinical settings, and 3) ongoing practice improvement. Within the category of payer preparedness, major emergent themes included Medicaid's need to ensure efficient claims processing, maintain appropriate reimbursement rates, and alleviate perceived provider mistrust about payment. With respect to health care systems, themes emerged around raising clinician awareness of IPLARC coverage, managing provider misconceptions about IPLARC, and addressing gaps in provider IPLARC insertion expertise. Regarding practice improvement, a salient theme emerged around the limitations of Medicaid to engage in ongoing clinical implementation and evaluation efforts.

Conclusions: These findings suggest a multistakeholder implementation framework that can guide the growing number of Medicaid agencies newly implementing IPLARC policy. As more Medicaid programs remove reimbursement barriers to IPLARC, clinicians and hospital administrators have a crucial opportunity to address clinical barriers to IPLARC and ensure real-time access among beneficiaries who desire this safe and effective approach to contraception.