CVS illegally charging women for generic birth control

WOONSOCKET, R.I., Sept. 25 (UPI) -- CVS illegally charged 11,000 women for generic birth control.

That is in violation of a provision of the Affordable Care Act that says insurers must cover generic birth control for women.

Since learning of the price-coding error, CVS has moved to fix the error.

Affected customers will be refunded.

The issue came to light when a staffer from Rep.Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) was charged a $20 copay for generic birth control.

Spier wrote a letter to the CEO of CVS, Larry Merlo that said, "Although my staff member's issue was eventually resolved a week and numerous phone calls and pharmacy visits later, I am concerned that most women who are likely not familiar with their rights under the ACA may go without this essential family planning service that is supposed to be guaranteed to them under law."

Late last week, Sol J. Ross, CVS's head of federal affairs, wrote a letter to Speier stating, "Refund checks will be [sent] to affected plan members by September 26. In fact, refund checks have already started to go out and all should be received by October 1."

A CVS spokesman said the company was working on fixing the error before it received Speier's letter.