Incidence of new outpatient long-acting reversible contraceptive insertions among a commercially insured, US population from 2010 to 2020.

OBJECTIVES

Characterize new use of long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), highly effective contraceptive methods, in a broad population over time.

STUDY

DESIGN

We constructed a retrospective cohort of commercially insured individuals aged 15 to 54 years from 2010 to 2020 and estimated monthly incidence of new LARC insertions.

RESULTS

The monthly standardized incidence increased from 6.0 insertions per 10,000 individuals in January 2010 to 14.1 in December 2020, with a dip in insertions after March 2020. Hormonal intrauterine devices were consistently the most inserted LARC; implants were increasingly favored over time.

CONCLUSIONS

LARCs are increasingly popular forms of contraception among commercially insured individuals.

IMPLICATIONS: Given the increasing popularity, ensuring access to LARCs is critical.