Family Planning Elevated is currently accepting applications for community health organizations to become contraceptive access program members
University of Utah Health today announced the creation of Family Planning Elevated (FPE), a statewide contraception initiative. Funded in part by a generous $4 million grant from the Laura and John Arnold Foundation, as well as a $1 million grant from the Dr. Ezekiel R. and Edna Wattis Dumke Foundation, FPE will provide cash grants, education and hands-on training to community health organizations that deliver reproductive health services to Medicaid-eligible and uninsured Utahns.
The initiative is housed in the University of Utah Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, in the Family Planning Division – the same team that provided 7,402 individuals with no-cost contraception through the HER Salt Lake Contraceptive Initiative.
In March of 2018, the Utah state legislature passed HB12, requiring Medicaid to cover contraceptive services for individuals who earn an income below 95% of the federal poverty level. The bill provides reimbursements for the costs of all reversible methods of contraception including birth control pills, contraceptive injections and rings and intrauterine devices (IUDs) and contraceptive implants.
However, the legislation did not provide funding to train providers, expand clinical capacity to see patients, or provide outreach awareness regarding available contraception options to eligible women throughout the state. Family Planning Elevated will partner with community health organizations throughout Utah to expand the initial contraceptive access provided through HB 12.
The Family Planning Elevated Contraceptive Access Program (CAP) offers a two year membership to community health organizations that provide reproductive health services to Medicaid-eligible and uninsured Utahns. Family Planning Elevated CAP members will be awarded a cash grant ranging from $38,000 - $100,000 and are reimbursed for providing no-cost contraceptive care to uninsured Utahns with incomes up to 250% Federal Poverty Level.
An estimated 13,000 Utahns will receive no-cost contraceptive care through the program between 2019 and 2021.
"Family Planning Elevated aims to be the expert in family planning education and training for Utah healthcare providers. We want to continue to do more to improve pregnancy and birth outcomes across the state of Utah," stated Kyl Myers, director of Family Planning Elevated. "This initiative will reduce geographic and economic barriers to contraceptive services for uninsured Utahns. We hope to help individuals and couples have access to family planning resources so that they can decide if and when they want to have children."
Utah Health centers can apply to be an FPE CAP member.
Applications will be accepted through November 16th with the first funding cycle starting January 1, 2019
FPE CAP will fund three cohorts:
- Cohort 1: January 2019 – December 2020
- Cohort 2: July 2019 – June 2021
- Cohort 3: January 2020 – December 2021
Additionally, FPE will train physicians, advanced practice clinicians, and health center staff on comprehensive contraceptive care at the Contraceptive Education + Training Conference on Friday, January 18th, 2019 at the University Guest House. IUD and implant trainings will be available for physicians and APCs. Health Center providers and staff can learn more and register at Family Planning Elevated Conference.
To learn more about Family Planning Elevated or make a financial contribution to expand contraceptive services for Utahns, visit Utah Family Planning Elevated.
Family Planning Elevated is under the direction of Kyl Myers, PhD, MS and David Turok, MD, MPH.