PPLARC Project Highlight
In November 2017, TennCare unbundled long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC), implants and intrauterine devices, and the provider insertion fees from the global fee of delivery for women covered by TennCare, CoverKids, and Blue Cross Blue Shield state employees. This has allowed hospitals across the state to be reimbursed for LARC devices that are placed immediately postpartum (IPP), during a patient’s delivery admission. Along with Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Regional One Hospital, the University of Tennessee Medical Center (UTMC) in Knoxville has acted as a pilot facility; helping other institutions work through the various statewide and institutionally-specific barriers. At the end of October 2019, UTMC announced they had placed 1,000 LARC devices to eligible women desiring IPP LARC placement. Champions at UTMC continue to ensure patient-centered contraceptive counseling and efforts to ensure any women desiring IPP LARC have this option available to them. TIPQC along with UTMC will continue to be a resource for institutions in Tennessee interested in implementing IPP LARC initiatives.