Pilot Study of a Free Long-Acting Reversible Contraception Program on a Mobile Health Center in Miami Dade County, Florida

In 2016, the NeighborhoodHELP mobile health centers (MHCs) started to provide free long acting reversible contraception (LARC) for uninsured patients who lacked access due to cost. All female patients with appointments from May 1st, 2016 through April 30th, 2017 were identified. LARC uptake rate, as well as demographics for patients aged 15-44 who underwent LARC insertion versus those who did not, were determined. Of the 520 female patients seen on the MHCs during the study period, 170 were of reproductive age. Seventeen (10%) patients opted for LARC; 100 % of these patients spoke Spanish or English and 82 % identified as White and Hispanic/Latino. Results show a 10% LARC uptake, which is slightly above the national rate, but lower than rates in other studies in which cost barriers were removed. Further investigation into barriers influencing LARC uptake in our patient population is warranted.