Cost of Birth Control Pills - 2024 Healthcare Costs

Typical costs:

For patients not covered by health insurance, birth control pills typically cost $20 to $50 a month.
For patients covered by health insurance, out-of-pocket costs typically consist of a prescription drug copay. Most insurance plans offer the lowest copays on generic medication -- usually $5 to $15 -- and higher copays of $30 to $40 for non-preferred brands.
Birth control pills, the most commonly covered contraceptive, are covered by more than 80 percent of health insurance plans, according to the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals. And in some states, it's mandatory; the Kaiser Family Foundation[1] lists 33 states that require coverage of birth control.

What should be included:

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists offers an overview of how birth control pills work.
Standard combination birth control pills -- for example, Yasmin and Ortho Tricyclen are taken on a 28-day cycle.
Extended-cycle pills are designed to be taken continuously for three months; however, many women experience spotting or breakthrough bleeding while taking extended-cycle pills.
There are more than 40 brands of birth control pills available in the United States, each with slightly different doses or forms of hormones. Because women's bodies can react to even slight changes in formulation, sometimes several brands will have to be tried, with the help of a doctor, to get the fewest negative side effects -- such as mood changes or weight gain -- or the desired positive side effects -- such as better skin and less menstrual cramping.
Birth control pills are 98 to 99 percent effective when taken exactly as directed -- at the same time every day without missing a day. Vomiting before the hormones get into your system also can lower effectiveness. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration[2] offers a chart comparing risks and effectiveness rates of various forms of birth control.

Related Costs: Morning After Pill, IUD, Vasectomy

Additional costs:

Birth control pills are available only with a prescription; getting one requires visiting a doctor for a pelvic exam and sexually transmitted disease tests. This can cost $35 to $200, or a copay of $10 to $30 for patients covered by health insurance.

Discounts:

Clinics such as those operated by Planned Parenthood[3] offer discounted birth control pills to women who qualify. And most college campus health centers do the same for enrolled students.
In most states, Wal-Mart[4] , Target[5] and Kroger pharmacies offer a limited selection of generic birth control pills for $9 per month.

Shopping for birth control pills:

To get a prescription for birth control pills, make an appointment with your general practitioner, gynecologist or a clinic. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists[6] offers a physician locator by state and Planned Parenthood[7] offers a clinic locator by zip code. Or, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services[8] offers a local clinic locator by city or zip code.
Birth control pills are not recommended for women who have had blood clots, have serious heart or liver disease, have had breast or uterine cancer, or are over 35 and smoke.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration[9] , risks include dizziness, nausea, changes in cycle, changes in mood, weight gain, high blood pressure, blood clots, heart attack and stroke.

Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.

What People Are Paying - Recent Comments Darlene Sahl
Amount: $20.00
Posted by: a user in Phoenix, AZ.Posted On: July 12th, 2018 09:07PM
Policy/Plan:: N/A
Doctor or Clinic: N/A

I lost my job and my health insurance with it and I am in need of assistance to continue my birth control prescription of tri-sprintec or any birth control of this matter. I do not wish to have children and I am 27 year's old.

Generic Yaz (Nikki)
Amount: $84.00
Posted by: OMGPRICES
From: Aurora, IL
Posted On: February 22nd, 2018 12:02AM
Policy/Plan:: Health Insurance
Doctor or Clinic: Online doctor

It was cheaper to pay out of pocket than use insurance for generic Yaz. $84 out of pocket. Omg I can't believe it costs so much and it was for a ONE month supply. I can't pay $84/mo 😳😳😳
We need to have a revolution ladies!

Work around
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: PhoebeWallingford
From: Concord, CA
Posted On: October 7th, 2017 02:10AM
With or Without Insurance: n/a
Insurer:: n/a
Policy/Plan:: n/a
Doctor or Clinic: n/a

With the BS handed down in DC today, I would suggest you request the pill be given to you as a medicine, not a contraceptive: based on painful periods, irregular cycle, and excessive bleeding. They aren't going to ask for proof. And
for Gods sake, get a female OB/GYN! Be sure to tell them most of your pain and other problems are "much improved" since you started the "medicine" (which has a side effect of preventing pregnancy).
You will only have to conduct this work-around for--AT THE MOST (dear Lord help us)-- another couple-three years.
Sadly, this issue will be a serious problem for our sisters who have no insurance. Hopefully Planned Parenthood will still be able to cover these women and girls. Now is where I take a moment to urge
every American reading this to call your representatives in DC and keep bugging them until we have what we need.

Enprisse
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: Missemma
From: Clarksville, TN
Posted On: February 26th, 2017 04:02PM
Policy/Plan:: Blue Cross
Doctor or Clinic: Wal-Mart

My birth control has always been covered by my insurers 100%.

Seasonique
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: Anon528
From: Central, MI
Posted On: August 2nd, 2016 07:08AM
Policy/Plan:: Michigan Medicaid
Doctor or Clinic: Womens Health center central mi

Super cheap. Actually free!

Tri-Previfem
Amount: $27.00
Posted by: Kaybaby
From: Ruckersville, VA
Posted On: September 13th, 2015 01:09PM
Policy/Plan:: Cigna
Doctor or Clinic:

I'm under my parent's health insurance, and it doesn't seem to cut much of the cost out. Although cheaper than taking care of a kid or buying Mydol constantly for cramps, it's still a bit too much to want to pay each month.

Canada is awesome
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: Jen89
From: Calgary, Other
Posted On: April 20th, 2015 04:04PM
Policy/Plan:: Greenshield
Doctor or Clinic:

Up here in Canada I don't pay for birth control lol. Basically my job does since they give me health benefits .
I could not imagine paying 100$+ a month to not get pregnant

Ortho tri cyclen lo
Amount: $152.99
Posted by: Steph Huerta
From: San Leandro, CA
Posted On: November 28th, 2014 07:11PM
With or Without Insurance: without
Insurer::

This is the price at Target. There is no way I can afford this! I am waiting to see if Medical for the state of CA will approve and cover this for me. Otherwise my doctor my change it and I really don't want that ;(

Ortho tri cyclen lo
Amount: $75.00
Posted by: Ana ana 2
From: Queens, NY
Posted On: October 23rd, 2014 04:10PM
Policy/Plan:: Oxford
Doctor or Clinic: Yes

Currently 150 per month without insurance at cvs. 75 per month with oxford freedom. Never again. Thtese prices are robbery.

Ortho Tri cyclen Lo
Amount: $102.77
Posted by: a user in Flint, MI.Posted On: June 24th, 2014 12:06PM
With or Without Insurance: With
Insurer::
Policy/Plan:: Pretty darn good coverage
Doctor or Clinic: A family medical office

I recently got health insurance through an employer. My other Rx usually run me under $10.00, however the contraceptive that I have been prescribed since I was 16 (now 25) is now costing me $102.77 (monthly) I do not understand why even an insured individual has to pay so much for a Rx because it is apparently (the only prescription) not covered. Why is it that young woman who are making sure they do not conceive are being forced to pay such high costs to prevent pregnancy? Would the government rather pay for our un-planned children instead of our contraceptives??

premphase
Amount: $189.00
Posted by: moonstonediva
From: Stuart, FL
Posted On: June 9th, 2014 10:06PM
Policy/Plan:: no coverage
Doctor or Clinic: local clinic

Wtf? Why is my birth control suddenly so expensive? Who can afford this monthly?

Previfem
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: Mannnnnnnnndylee
From: Phoenix, NY
Posted On: October 29th, 2013 02:10PM
Policy/Plan:: Fidelis
Doctor or Clinic: The medicine place

With fidelis I get my birth control free, they just happen to cover it completely.

Ocella
Amount: $126.00
Posted by: marya
From: Huntsville, AL
Posted On: April 24th, 2013 09:04PM
Policy/Plan:: None
Doctor or Clinic:

My insurance never covered BC. When I started in 2004 , Yasmin was $36. Then every year it crept up $10-$20 after the first of the year. When it hit $168 at the cheapest place in town my doc switched me to Ocella, which is 'generic' Yaz. I think its the lawsuits that jacks up the price.

Ortho tri-cyclen Lo
Amount: $131.99
Posted by: Lacey
From: Dale city, VA
Posted On: March 20th, 2013 09:03AM
Policy/Plan:: No insurance
Doctor or Clinic:

I was on ortho tri-cyclen Lo before I lost my dads insurance.. Good ol tri are prime!! With insurance I was paying $17 a month.. Once I lost my insurance Cvs said it was 131.99 a month! I was better off paying 106 a month for insurance! And sams club said $145.00. So I talked to my doctor that gave me the prescription and she called around to find a less expensive one and have me a new rx. Thank goodness cause $132 by 28 pills is 4 almost 5 dollars a pill per day!! I should pick up smoking a pack a day haha geez! Now I'm on mircogestin at a wonderful 11.99 a month.

Tri-Sprintec / Ortho tri-cyclen
Amount: $9.00
Posted by: E.D.
From: Hiram, GA
Posted On: October 16th, 2012 08:10AM
With or Without Insurance: without
Insurer::
Policy/Plan::
Doctor or Clinic: Target Pharmacy

I think saying it typically cost $20 to $50 a month is high.

I get generic Ortho tri-cyclen, aka Tri-Sprintec at Target for only $9 a month!

If you don't have insurance, as you doctor for a cheap generic!

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More Articles in Family Planning & Reproductive Health

External Resources:

Birth Control Pills Cost

How Much Do Birth Control Pills Cost?

	With Insurance: $5-$40 a month
	Without Insurance: $20-$50+ a month