Emergency Contraception

EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION (EC) FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS

Illinois law ensures that sexual assault victims receive information about emergency contraception (EC) in hospital emergency rooms.  Hospitals providing emergency services to sexual assault victims must develop a protocol that ensures that victims will receive medically and factually accurate written and oral information about EC, the indications, counter-indications, and risks associated with EC, and a description of how and when victims can obtain EC upon written order of a licensed physician.

The Illinois Department of Health must approve all protocols for providing information about EC.  The protocol must require that information about EC be provided to the victim as soon as possible, and no later than 12 hours after the sexual assault victim appears at the hospital for emergency care.  Sexual assault victims must also be referred to a physician for appropriate follow-up care.

410 Ill. Comp. Stat 70/2.2 (Enacted 2001); Ill. Admin. Code tit. 77, 545.20, -.35, -.60, -.95 (Effective Jan. 15, 2003).

MEDICAID COVERAGE OF EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION (EC)

Illinois provides Medicaid coverage of emergency contraception without a prescription.

NARAL Pro-Choice America Survey of State Medicaid Offices