From uptake to access: a decade of learning from the ACOG LARC program

Abstract

The Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) Program at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2018. This Viewpoint article reviews opportunities, challenges, and lessons learned by the ACOG LARC Program throughout the last decade. Housed within the largest medical organization representing women's health providers, the LARC Program supports change by developing resources for clinicians, healthcare systems, healthcare organizations, and policy makers. The Program's Postpartum Contraceptive Access Initiative (PCAI) meets specific needs identified by an Expert Work Group using implementation science principles, including improved contraceptive counseling and clinician training, and institution-wide sustainable systems change in billing, coding, pharmacy, and electronic medical record integration. Key lessons learned include the importance of centering patient preferences and autonomy, developing foundational evidence-based guidance, supporting practice change through implementation tools and collaboration with local champions, advocating for insurance and payment policy, and partnering with other health care organizations to develop robust resources to improve patient access to the full range of contraceptive methods.