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It’s no secret that birth control is expensive. Whether you go with the pill, the ring, the patch, or another method, the cost of birth control can range up to $2,000 per year.
According to GoodRX, the average annual out-of-pocket cost is $226 for people who have insurance and $268 for those who don’t. Add on the doctor’s visits you need to get a prescription and that number gets even higher.
Luckily, there are several strategies you can use to save money on your birth control. Read on for a list of online retailers that offer affordable birth control options, as well as additional tips on how to save.
Take a look at these online retailers that prescribe birth control and deliver it to your door.
Pill Club
Pill Club is a telehealth birth control service with over 120 brands of birth control pills. You can roll over your existing prescription, or fill out a questionnaire to receive a new prescription for birth control. Pill Club primarily sells pills but also offers a hormonal birth control ring. You can also order emergency contraceptives with your next birth control delivery to have on hand.
Price: While Pill Club recommends getting deliveries every 3 months, your insurance plan might affect how often you can receive shipments. Without insurance, you might pay up to $10.66 per birth control pack and $15 per year for consultations and your prescription. Delivery is free.
Pros
- free samples with every delivery
- existing prescriptions can be carried over
- no appointments necessary
Cons
- mainly pills
- limited insurance networks accepted
- new prescriptions aren’t available in Alaska
Nurx
Nurx is a well known birth control pill delivery service seeking to make healthcare accessible for all. To get birth control from Nurx, you’ll answer some questions about your health and pay a $15 fee for a medical consultation. Then a doctor will write you a prescription and a 3-month supply of birth control will be shipped to your door.
Nurx offers several types of birth control, including:
- the pill
- the shot
- the ring
- the patch
You can also order emergency contraception, such as the morning-after pill.
Price: The $15 fee for your initial consultation is not covered by insurance. Once your birth control is prescribed, it is generally covered 100 percent by insurance, meaning it’s free for people who have health insurance. For those who pay out of pocket, Nurx offers birth control brands that start at $15 per month. You can cancel your plan at any time.
Pros
- over 100 generic and name-brand birth control options
- several options available for people who can’t take combination birth control
- extra support available for trans and nonbinary customers
Cons
- not available in all states
- $15 consultation fee not covered by insurance
- customers report that deliveries often take longer than the stated 3- to 5-day window
Lemonaid
Lemonaid Health is able to prescribe birth control in every state for over 100 different birth control pills. Choose your pill, answer some health questions, and pay for a consultation. Note that some states require a video chat, while others don’t.
You can then receive a scheduled shipment of birth control every 3 months for a year. Lemonaid provides birth control pills, the ring, or the patch.
Price: The Lemonaid mail-order pharmacy requires users to pay out of pocket. Pay a one-time $25 consultation fee plus $45 for three packs. If you want to use insurance, Lemonaid will prescribe your birth control pill, and a local pharmacy will fill your order.
Pros
- free delivery in 2 to 3 days
- available anywhere in the United States
- free visit if you run out of refills
Cons
- no home delivery if you use insurance
- $25 consultation fee
Hers
Telehealth website Hers is a popular way to get generic birth control pills online. The company sells 13 different birth control pills. However, no name-brand options are available.
Birth control from Hers is available in every state. Fill out a questionnaire and then schedule a brief consultation with a physician to decide on the best birth control option for you.
Price: Hers doesn’t accept insurance, so you’ll have to pay out of pocket. Luckily, this service is affordable: Generic birth control pills start at $12 per month.
Pros
- free, timely deliveries
- generic birth control pills are available starting at $12 per month in every state
- access to medical professionals who can provide advice on your sexual health
Cons
- no name brands available
- you have to pay out of pocket
Pandia Health
Pandia Health is a female-founded birth control delivery service. This company is unique because you can upload an existing prescription and receive birth control deliveries. If you need a new prescription, you’ll pay $20 to fill out a health questionnaire that’s reviewed by a physician. However, this service is only available in certain states. Then, you can get free deliveries of your birth control with automatic refills for 1 year.
You can select from a birth control pill, patch, ring, or emergency contraceptive.
Price: Pandia Health accepts most insurance providers, but not all. If your insurance is accepted, your consultation and prescription will generally be free. If you pay out of pocket, costs start at $15 per month with free delivery. You can also apply for financial aid to cover the costs of:
- doctor’s consultation fee ($20)
- a 1-month supply of birth control pills ($20)
- a 3-month supply of birth control pills ($45)
- a 6-month supply of birth control pills ($90)
- emergency contraception
Pros
- upload your existing active prescription
- physicians check in periodically
- the company’s charity partner, Center for Policy Analysis, provides birth control to underserved women
- can apply for financial aid
Cons
- doesn’t accept Kaiser, Cal Optima, LA Care, Humana, Sunshine Health, or StayWell insurance
- online medical consultations and new prescriptions are only available in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming
Emme
This new birth control delivery company offers an end-to-end service for receiving, taking, and tracking your birth control pill. Emme is currently only available in 16 states, including California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. But it’s a great method for getting a birth control pill.
You’ll pay for a medical consultation and receive your prescription to set up automatic shipments. You can also pay for an optional $99 Bluetooth case that connects to an app to track your pill intake and send reminders.
Price: The medical consultation is $15. Birth control options start at $15 per month, and you don’t need insurance to participate. You can also use your flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA).
Pros
- can purchase an innovative piece of technology that tracks pill usage
- free app offers insight into your menstrual cycle
- automatic shipments
Cons
- only available in 16 states
- limited variety of birth control pills available
- new service without many customer reviews
The short answer is yes. According to Planned Parenthood, federal law requires most insurance plans to cover a birth control prescription. The majority of insurance plans cover all methods of birth control, including the pill, at no cost to you.
However, this will depend on the specifics of your insurance plan. Some plans only cover certain brands of pills or only generic versions. You’ll also need to consider the doctor or telehealth company you’re using and what insurance providers they accept. Many major online birth control services accept all insurance.
If you don’t have health insurance, but you qualify for certain government programs such as Medicaid, they may be able to cover your birth control.
Getting a 3-month prescription can help you save money on birth control. Many online retailers allow you to pay up front and receive a 3-month supply at one time. Others use a subscription-based format where you can subscribe and save on a lower copay.
Asking for generic birth control is another way to cut the cost. As with most items, generic pills or other methods of birth control are cheaper than name brands. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you find a good generic option. Some doctors even have free samples.
Many people choose to get their birth control from Planned Parenthood to keep things affordable. Often, Planned Parenthood pills are cheaper than those from the pharmacy. Anyone who is uninsured or underinsured may be able to get Planned Parenthood birth control for 100-percent free. Regardless, most family planning centers charge less based on your income.
How much does birth control cost with insurance?
Most health insurance plans will completely cover your birth control prescription. If you have insurance, you will most likely be able to get birth control at no cost.
How much does birth control cost out of pocket?
Without insurance, birth control pills can cost between $20 and $50 for each pack, according to the National Women’s Health Network. This adds up to an annual cost of $240 to $600.
Can you get birth control online?
Yes, you can get birth control online. Several on-demand delivery services allow you to conveniently order birth control with no need to visit a doctor. However, you’ll want to make sure any online service you use is legitimate.
What is the cheapest birth control?
The pill is typically the cheapest type of birth control. If you have health insurance, you should be able to get your birth control completely covered. If not, look into a family planning center near you.
Nowadays, there are a variety of ways to receive birth control prescriptions and shipments straight to your door. Online birth control services often allow you to personalize your birth control choice at a lower cost than visiting a doctor in person and fulfilling monthly prescriptions.
Regardless of your financial situation, there’s an option out there for you to safely receive and afford birth control.
Hailey Hudson is a full-time freelance writer and content marketer based out of Atlanta, Georgia. She focuses in the health, marketing, and education industries. Clients include Livestrong, Runner’s World, Dell, and others. Hailey is also a novelist and a musician.