Date of Award
Spring 4-15-2025
Embargo Period
4-28-2025
Document Type
Dissertation - MUSC Only
Degree Name
Doctor of Health Administration
Department
Health Administration
College
College of Health Professions
First Advisor
Kit Simpson
Second Advisor
Jami Jones
Third Advisor
Walter Jones
Abstract
Objective: To assess how often women aged 18–45 in the U.S. who experienced medically documented vaginal rape received prescriptions for abortion pills within 16 weeks of the incident in 2022, using MarketScan® and Medicaid claims data.
Methods: This retrospective cohort study used ICD-10 codes to identify rape survivors in insurance claims data. Researchers tracked prescriptions for abortion pills (mifepristone and misoprostol) within 16 weeks of the incident. Descriptive statistics compared use before and after the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
Results: Among 3,314 identified survivors (508 commercially insured; 2,806 Medicaid), abortion pill use was extremely rare—only 16 women had a prescription paid by their insurer. Emergency contraception was also infrequent, with only 60 women receiving “Plan B” drugs.
Conclusion: Insurance billing data show that most rape survivors do not use insurance to obtain abortion pills or emergency contraception. This suggests a reliance on out-of-pocket care and highlights a significant limitation of using medical claims data to study the intersection of sexual violence and reproductive health choices.
Recommended Citation
Pelhan, Sarah C., "Medically Documented Rapes and Description of Victim Reproductive Choices for Privately Insured and Medicaid U.S. Women in 2022" (2025). MUSC Theses and Dissertations. 1062.
https://medica-musc.researchcommons.org/theses/1062
Rights
Copyright is held by the author. All rights reserved.