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The morning after pill, also known as emergency contraception or by the brand name Plan B, can prevent pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse or contraception failure. It is most effective if taken within the first 24 hours after intercourse, but can be taken up to five days afterwards.
Typical costs: |
- For patients not covered by health insurance, the morning after pill typically costs between $10 and $70, according to Planned Parenthood.
- For patients covered by health insurance, out-of-pocket expenses typically consist of a prescription drug copay of $10 to $30.
- The morning after pill is sometimes covered by health insurance. According to the Guttmacher Institute[1] , 25 states require insurance plans that cover prescription drugs in general to cover birth control, including emergency contraception.
Related articles: Birth Control Pills, Abortion
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What should be included: |
- Planned Parenthood[2] has an overview of the morning after pill.
- The morning after pill actually is a combination of pills that use higher doses of the hormones in birth control pills, estrogen and progestin.
- The morning-after pill works in several ways. It can prevent a woman from ovulating, thicken cervical mucus to block sperm and possibly prevent a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus. It does not terminate an already-existing pregnancy.
- According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services[3] , the morning after pill is very effective at preventing pregnancy after unprotected sex.
Additional costs: |
- For patients under 18, a prescription is required, except in Arkansas, California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Vermont and Washington. To get a prescription, a doctor visit typically costs between $35 and $250.
Discounts: |
- Some family planning clinics provide low-cost or free emergency contraception to women who qualify. Occasionally, local Planned Parenthood[4] clinics across the United States have "Free EC Day," where they offer free emergency contraception, encouraging women to get it before they need it.
Shopping for a morning after pill: |
- The morning after pill is usually available behind-the-counter at drug stores for adults 17 and older. The Emergency Contraceptive Website[5] , operated the Office of Population Research and the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals, offers a pharmacy locator, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services[6] offers a local clinic locator
- The morning after pill also is available for patients 17 and older at any Planned Parenthood clinic[7]
- Because the morning after pill is more effective the sooner it is taken, Planned Parenthood recommends that sexually active women who do not want to become pregnant get the morning after pill before it is needed.
- The morning after pill generally is considered safe, even for women such as smokers over age 35 who probably would be advised not to take birth control pills regularly, and no deaths have been linked to it. However, side effects can include nausea, breast tenderness, dizziness, headaches and irregular bleeding.
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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.
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments |
| Posted by: The Needy in Redlands, CA. | Posted: April 12th, 2019 10:04AM |
| With or Without Insurance: Without | Insurer:: IEHP |
| Policy/Plan:: | Doctor or Clinic: Walmart |
I was going to stop by Kaiser, but I didn't have time. Next time, I'll consider Kaiser for half the price. It's nearly $50 every time, I don't think it goes lower than $45. But it's cheaper than having a child. Planned Parenthood would give it out for free with insurance, but the appointments are mostly booked on my end and Plan B is something you need right away. |
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| Posted by: Not ready for little ones yet in Anaheim, CA. | Posted: August 28th, 2016 05:08PM |
| Policy/Plan:: Kaiser | Doctor or Clinic: Kaiser pharmacy |
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| Posted by: CDiane1986 in SALEM, NY. | Posted: December 14th, 2015 03:12AM |
I was visiting upstate NY and had to pay over the counter. My insurance covers it with a script in Massachusetts but it was a Sunday so I paid out of pocket. I hope they reimburse me. |
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| Posted by: Jaycee in Charlotte, NC. | Posted: October 8th, 2015 08:10AM |
| With or Without Insurance: without | Insurer:: none |
| Policy/Plan:: | Doctor or Clinic: CVS |
I went in there, asked for the pill, showed them my ID to make sure I was of age, and they handed me the pill and I was on my way. |
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| Posted by: Poor College Student in Spokane, WA. | Posted: September 11th, 2015 02:09PM |
| Policy/Plan:: None | Doctor or Clinic: None |
No wonder there are so many teen pregnancies. This pill is a little too expensive w/o insurance. It'd make sense if it was a whole box of 12 or something, but one pill? |
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| Posted by: TheNewMirenaMistake in Huntersville, NC. | Posted: August 22nd, 2015 06:08PM |
| With or Without Insurance: without b/c OTC | Insurer:: |
| Policy/Plan:: | Doctor or Clinic: CVS |
easy to get. went through drive thru. 2 types - Aftera was cheaper. call ahead though. when i did, the pharmacist had to check if they had any in stock. |
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| Posted by: Fiancé's Passion Needs Relaxin'! in Morgantown, PA. | Posted: November 5th, 2014 10:11AM |
| Policy/Plan:: | Doctor or Clinic: Pharmacy |
I am 24 yrs old and I already have a 6yr old little girl. Im not ready for another baby right now for sure!! I have unprotected sex with my fiancé last night and we just wanted to make sure. We didn't have a mistake or anything we just wanted to make sure. We want to wait until after our wedding, we were way too into the passion we have for each other.
This morning we went to pick up Plan B! For all women out there who use Plan B or the Morning after pill the CORRECT way and not as a birth control by all means. If u take the pill over and over and over and over again it could very well mess something up as far as your health. Be careful! Read all of the side effects and speak with a doctor or pharmacist before taking it. Make sure u make a doctor appointment with the OBGYN after u take it. The pill does work! That's for sure! I've only taken it once myself but I know plenty of women who have in the past and it's always worked. Don't be ashamed at all! Situations happen every day. :) |
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| Posted by: a user in College Station, TX. | Posted: September 29th, 2014 01:09PM |
| Policy/Plan:: Have insurance but didn't need to use it | Doctor or Clinic: Target Pharmacy |
Pharmacist recommended the generic (My Way brand) that they had stocked behind the counter. Also had a $46 and $40 options out on the sales floor. |
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| Posted by: Whew in Redondo Beach, CA. | Posted: May 27th, 2014 11:05PM |
| Policy/Plan:: N/a | Doctor or Clinic: N/a |
I went to Walgreens and purchased a secondary brand since Plan B was like $50, and they both do the same thing... |
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| Posted by: mar112 in San Leandro, CA. | Posted: May 1st, 2014 03:05PM |
| Policy/Plan:: | Doctor or Clinic: Target |
I felt it was cheap thank goodness I had to money at the time. It was also the Next Choice One Step. Was on my fertile days during the time and it worked. Took it within 24 hours and all was good. Unfortunately.. I have to do it again and set up an appointment for regular birth control . |
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| Posted by: Tam Tam in Baltimore, MD. | Posted: September 20th, 2013 11:09AM |
| With or Without Insurance: Without | Insurer:: |
| Policy/Plan:: | Doctor or Clinic: Planned Parenthood |
Works great, did increase my heart rate though. |
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| Posted by: Tati in Santa Ana, CA. | Posted: July 4th, 2013 06:07PM |
| Policy/Plan:: Health Access Program | Doctor or Clinic: Planned Parenthood |
Don't be mislead by the other patient from Santa Ana. Planned Parenthood DOES NOT have their own Emergency medi-cal. If you have insurance use it and it will cover for the pill. If you don't then you can pay $40.00 for it or apply for the Health Access program if and only if you qualify (provided you are actually honest on your application) this program will cover reproductive services if and only if you're not pregnant. This is not a Planned Parenthood insurance it is a state funded program through the state of California. The only "emergency medi-cal" Planned Parenthood offers is Presumptive eligibility which is presuming the patient will actually go to the medi-cal office and apply for medi-cal further more this "emergency medi-cal" is only for pregnant women. So clearly a pregnant woman does not need Birth control pills or the morning after pill. Please ladies know your info when posting... Oh and FYI that little teal green card issued to you is not a medical card. |
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| Posted by: Overly cautious in Boston, MA. | Posted: March 12th, 2013 07:03AM |
| Policy/Plan:: United Healthcare | Doctor or Clinic: CVS |
All I needed was a license and my health insurance card. Took five minutes! |
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| Posted by: Doesn\'t Matter in Santa Ana, CA. | Posted: February 25th, 2013 03:02PM |
| Policy/Plan:: Apply for emergency medi-cal | Doctor or Clinic: Planned Parenthood |
Went to planned parenthood for personal reasons. Got on the pill there and got 2 next choice plan b pills. |
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| Posted by: 2 kids is enough for now! in Waterbury, CT. | Posted: February 1st, 2013 06:02AM |
| Policy/Plan:: The insurance it takes is from the State | Doctor or Clinic: Planned Parenthood |
The only insurance they take is from the state, but you have to make an appointment to be able to use your insurance. If you just walk in (even if you have the insurance card on you) you'll have to pay the $35. I made an appointment so I wouldn't have to spend my own money. They do ask you how and when the "incident" happened, so you're given an appointment before it's too late. |
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| Posted by: kcertine in Rock Hill, SC. | Posted: January 27th, 2013 08:01AM |
| With or Without Insurance: N/A | Insurer:: |
| Policy/Plan:: | Doctor or Clinic: Pharmacy |
In SC all you need is a Driver's License to prove you are over 18. it doesn't make a difference if you are insured or not. |
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| Posted by: McKenna in Dickinson, TX. | Posted: December 15th, 2012 08:12PM |
| Policy/Plan:: wouldn't take insurance for it | Doctor or Clinic: Walgreens |
I had insurance and lady said it won't cover it. |
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| Posted by: McKenna in Dickinson, TX. | Posted: December 15th, 2012 08:12PM |
| Policy/Plan:: wouldn't take insurance for it | Doctor or Clinic: Walgreens |
I had insurance and lady said it won't cover it. |
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| Posted by: BLP in Baton Rouge, LA. | Posted: May 11th, 2012 11:05PM |
| With or Without Insurance: Without | Insurer:: |
| Policy/Plan:: | Doctor or Clinic: Walmart Neighborhood store |
$65 is a bit much, but I was happy to pay it so I didn't have a kid. |
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| Posted by: as2637 in Houston, TX. | Posted: March 7th, 2012 12:03PM |
| With or Without Insurance: None | Insurer:: |
Just doing some research for my own benefit. Is this cost showing per pill or is it pack of 10, 20 or 30? Thanks. |
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| Posted by: MissAudrey in Newport, CA. | Posted: January 15th, 2012 11:01PM |
| With or Without Insurance: without | Insurer:: |
| Policy/Plan:: | Doctor or Clinic: Walgreens |
Helped. Walgreens in CA was $48. Walgreens in Las Vegas was $80. |
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| Posted by: I dont need anymore kids in Millbrook, AL. | Posted: February 15th, 2011 10:02AM |
| With or Without Insurance: without | Insurer:: |
| Policy/Plan:: | Doctor or Clinic: wal-mart |
I had to use it two times before and I got it for free at the clinic (on different occasions).....needless to say it worked and I needed it again some months later and purchased it at wal-mart....yes it works but me paying 52.00 was a little to much for one pill!!! |
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| Posted by: a user in sanAntonio, TX. | Posted: January 5th, 2011 09:01PM |
| With or Without Insurance: without | Insurer:: |
| Policy/Plan:: | Doctor or Clinic: walgreens |
it was a godsend i am so greatfull best fifty bukz i ever spent |
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| Posted by: yezenia in florida, NA. | Posted: December 4th, 2010 05:12PM |
| With or Without Insurance: with insurance | Insurer:: yezenia alverio |
| Policy/Plan:: healthease | Doctor or Clinic: none |
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| Posted by: monicactrs in los angeles, CA. | Posted: June 2nd, 2010 10:06AM |
| With or Without Insurance: none | Insurer:: none |
| Policy/Plan:: none | Doctor or Clinic: kaiser pharmacy |
i had previously purchased plan b at rite aid and it cost me 60 dollars, i went to kaiser pharmacy and i bought it for 15 dollars... very big difference! |
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| Posted by: Glad to Pay to Keep baby away in Indy, IN. | Posted: November 8th, 2009 10:11PM |
| With or Without Insurance: None | Insurer:: None |
| Policy/Plan:: God and My money | Doctor or Clinic: Planned Parenthood |
My case: Condom broke Monday Morning, and the pill was in my system that night...days later there was spotting and breast tenderness and lets just say 9 months later. I still have my figure. It was resonably priced, considering what it did which was work, and easy to obtain. And I don't mind paying the money, Longs as these suckers work.---satified customer |
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| Posted by: Relieved in San Antonio, TX. | Posted: January 1st, 2009 02:01AM |
| With or Without Insurance: Without | Insurer:: United |
| Policy/Plan:: ? | Doctor or Clinic: Pharmacy |
The pill was easily accessible but an expensive way to cover up a mistake! I've learned to get it right the first time and am considering abstinence. I could see where price might keep people from purchasing this product. Pharmaceutical companies really know how to extort. |
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| Posted by: Myra in Pacoima, CA. | Posted: September 15th, 2008 09:09PM |
| With or Without Insurance: without | Insurer:: Anthem |
| Policy/Plan:: HMO10 | Doctor or Clinic: Pharmacy |
It was easily accessible and there wasn't much for me to do. I went to a CVS Pharmacy and they asked for an ID to make sure I was over the age of 18. and once verified they issued it to me after forking over $50!! I like the fact that it was very available, being that I needed it on the weekend, but I wish it was less expensive! |
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External Resources: |
- www.guttmacher.org/statecenter/spibs/spib_ICC.pdf
- www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/emergency-contraception-morning-after-pill...
- www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/emergency-contracept...
- www.plannedparenthood.org/health-center/findCenter.asp
- eclocator.not-2-late.com
- findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/Search_HCC.aspx
- www.plannedparenthood.org/health-center/findCenter.asp
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