Objective: To evaluate the impact of length of the Medicaid sterilization waiting period and postpartum permanent contraception fulfillment.
Study design: Simulations from a retrospective cohort study estimating the potential increase in permanent contraception within 365 days of delivery.
Results: In our sample of 2076 patients, 61% achieved permanent contraception with the current waiting period of 30 days. With the waiting period hypothetically reduced to 15, 3, 1, and 0 days, 62.9%, 63.7%, 64.5%, and 75% patients, respectively, would have achieved permanent contraception.
Conclusions: As potential Medicaid sterilization policy revisions are considered, understanding the impact on fulfillment rates is critical.
Keywords: Disparity; Informed consent; Medicaid; Postpartum contraception; Sterilization; Waiting period.
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