VirginiaHB11822026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Health insurance; coverage for contraceptive drugs & devices, including over-the-counter.

Sponsored By: Joshua E. Thomas (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Health insurance; coverage for contraceptive drugs and devices. Requires health insurance carriers to provide coverage, under any health insurance contract, policy, or plan that includes coverage for prescription drugs on an outpatient basis, for contraceptive drugs and contraceptive devices approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, including those available over-the-counter. The bill prohibits a health insurance carrier from imposing upon any person receiving prescription contraceptive benefits pursuant to the provisions of the bill any copayment, coinsurance payment, or fee, except in certain circumstances. Additionally, the bill requires any health benefit plan that provides coverage for hormonal contraceptives to provide point-of-sale coverage without cost-sharing at in-network pharmacies for hormonal contraceptives available over-the-counter. This bill is identical to SB 361.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.

Broader birth control coverage in most plans

If your plan covers outpatient prescription drugs, it must cover all FDA‑approved birth control, including over‑the‑counter options. At least one equivalent option must be at no cost, and if your provider says a specific one is medically needed, it is covered with no cost‑share. Plans cannot require a prescription to cover OTC items or add extra paperwork beyond a pharmacy claim, and must post clear coverage info. Closed formularies still must include pills, implants, shots, IUDs, and prescription barrier methods.

Most plan changes start in 2027

These rules apply to health policies delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2027. If your policy renews before that date, the new protections apply at your next renewal on or after January 1, 2027.

12-month hormonal birth control and pharmacy savings

Beginning January 1, 2018, plans that cover hormonal birth control must cover up to a 12‑month supply at one time and cannot use refill rules to cut it below 12 months unless there is a clinical reason. Over‑the‑counter hormonal birth control bought at an in‑network pharmacy is covered at checkout with no cost‑sharing. Doctors do not have to prescribe or dispense a full 12‑month supply at once. These medicines are still covered when prescribed for other medical reasons, like menopause symptoms or lowering cancer risk. Plans are not required to cover out‑of‑network providers under this section.

Plans and methods not covered by rules

Plans that do not include outpatient drug coverage do not have to add birth control drug benefits. Short‑term travel, accident‑only, limited‑disease, Medicare‑eligible, and short‑term nonrenewable (six months or less) plans are not subject to these rules. Plans are not required to cover experimental or non‑FDA‑approved contraceptives.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Joshua E. Thomas

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 342 • No: 138

Senate vote 4/22/2026

Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation

Yes: 24 • No: 15

House vote 4/22/2026

House concurred in Governor's recommendation

Yes: 64 • No: 35

Senate vote 3/11/2026

Passed Senate

Yes: 23 • No: 17

Senate vote 3/11/2026

Passed Senate

Yes: 24 • No: 16

Senate vote 3/11/2026

Reconsideration of Senate passage agreed to by Senate

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/10/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 37 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/10/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/9/2026

Reported from Commerce and Labor and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 9 • No: 6

Senate vote 3/9/2026

Reported from Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 10 • No: 3 • Other: 1

House vote 2/17/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 63 • No: 34

House vote 2/13/2026

Reported from Appropriations

Yes: 21 • No: 1

House vote 2/13/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting

Yes: 6 • No: 1

House vote 2/5/2026

Reported from Labor and Commerce with amendment(s) and referred to Appropriations

Yes: 15 • No: 7

House vote 2/3/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) and referring to Appropriations

Yes: 6 • No: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (24-Y 15-N 0-A)

    4/22/2026Senate
  2. House concurred in Governor's recommendation (64-Y 35-N 0-A)

    4/22/2026House
  3. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1092)

    4/22/2026Governor
  4. Reenrolled bill text (HB1182ER2)

    4/22/2026House
  5. Reenrolled

    4/22/2026House
  6. Approved by Governor-Chapter 1092 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/22/2026Governor
  7. Signed by President

    4/22/2026Senate
  8. Signed by Speaker

    4/22/2026House
  9. Governor's recommendation adopted

    4/22/2026Governor
  10. Governor's recommendation received by House

    4/11/2026Governor
  11. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1182)

    4/1/2026House
  12. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/31/2026Governor
  13. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026

    3/31/2026House
  14. Signed by Speaker

    3/31/2026House
  15. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1182ER)

    3/30/2026House
  16. Enrolled

    3/30/2026House
  17. Signed by President

    3/30/2026Senate
  18. Passed Senate (24-Y 16-N 0-A)

    3/11/2026Senate
  19. Reconsideration of Senate passage agreed to by Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/11/2026Senate
  20. Passed Senate (23-Y 17-N 0-A)

    3/11/2026Senate
  21. Read third time

    3/11/2026Senate
  22. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    3/10/2026Senate
  23. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (37-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/10/2026Senate
  24. Rules suspended

    3/10/2026Senate
  25. Reported from Finance and Appropriations (10-Y 3-N 1-A)

    3/9/2026Senate

Bill Text

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