New Resources in Massachusetts: Contraceptive Care During COVID-19

As health care workers continue to navigate this public health emergency, Upstream will continue to provide resources and support for our partners across the Commonwealth.

Ensuring access to contraceptive care during this time requires that providers are well informed on practice change and that all of us are aware of how COVID-19 is exacerbating health disparities across our communities. Below you will find resources in each of these areas.

Please note — we’ve included the Upstream resources as Google Doc links to ensure they are updated as new information becomes available. If you have difficulty accessing them, please let us know.

Resources for Patients and Providers:

DEPO-subQ Use and Coverage

To ensure patients have access to the widest range of contraceptive options possible during the COVID-19 emergency, providers should consider adding Depo-subQ to the method mix when counseling patients on their contraceptive options. Upstream and Partners in Contraceptive Care and Knowledge (PICCK) have worked together to create two new resources on DEPO-subQ use and insurance coverage:

• Coverage of DEPO-subQ PROVERA 104 in Massachusetts

• Guidelines for DEPO-subQ PROVERA Self-Injection

Health Safety Net: COVID-19 Telehealth Guidelines & Contraceptive Services

We have updated our FAQ on COVID-19 Telehealth Guidelines and Contraceptive Services to include new information on Health Safety Net.

Health Equity in the time of COVID-19:

Additional Resources:

• Electronic Versions of Patient Education Materials – Patient Education Resources from Upstream’s Partners

• COVID-19 Social Media Toolkit for Family Planning Providers – Family Planning National Training Center

• List of Telehealth Services for Birth Control – Bedsider

• RHAP Clinical Pearl on IUD Self-Removal – Reproductive Health Access Project

• An Unequal Crisis: Addressing the intersectional dimensions of COVID-19 – YW Boston webinar and resources

We remain eager to be a supportive partner in this time of need, and will continue to share resources to help our partners navigate changes to their work and to patient care.

If you were sent this email by someone else and would like to receive these resources directly, you can subscribe to our mailing list here. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at MA@Upstream.org.