Mirena (levonorgestrel) is a prescription intrauterine device (IUD) that’s used to prevent pregnancy and treat heavy menstrual bleeding. Mirena’s cost may depend on factors such as your health insurance and where you receive your care.

Mirena is used in females* of reproductive age to:

Mirena is an IUD. It’s inserted into the cervix by a healthcare professional.

For more details on Mirena, see this in-depth article.

* In this article, we use the term “female” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.

The price you pay for Mirena can vary. Your cost may depend on your insurance coverage (if you have it). You’ll also want to consider how much you might have to pay for an office visit with your doctor to have Mirena inserted or removed.

To find out how much you’ll pay for Mirena, talk with your doctor or insurance provider.

Note: If you have insurance, you may need to get prior authorization before your insurance provider will cover Mirena. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss Mirena in regard to your needs. Then the insurance company will determine whether it’s covered. If Mirena requires prior authorization and you don’t receive it before placement, you could pay its full cost.

Be sure to ask your insurance company whether Mirena requires prior authorization.

Mirena only comes in a brand-name version. It’s not currently available as a generic intrauterine device (IUD). A generic IUD would contain an exact copy of the active drug present in a brand-name IUD. Generics tend to cost less.

Why is there such a cost difference between brand-name drugs and generics?

Years of research and testing are needed to ensure that brand-name drugs are safe and effective. This testing can make the drugs expensive. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell the drug for up to 20 years. After that, other drug manufacturers can create generic versions. This competition in the market can lead to lower costs for generics. And because generics have the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t need to be studied again. This can also lead to lower generic costs.

If you need help covering the cost of Mirena or understanding your insurance, check out these resources:

On these sites, you can find insurance information, details on drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards and other services.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or insurance company.

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Mirena and cost.

Will I have to pay to have Mirena inserted and removed?

It’s possible that you may have to pay for Mirena to be inserted and removed. Your costs may vary depending on your health insurance coverage and the doctor’s office where you receive your care.

If you’re wondering how much it will cost to have Mirena inserted and whether the cost of removing the intrauterine device (IUD) is included, talk with your doctor. Be sure to also ask about any co-pays that may be required for the office visit.

How does the cost of Mirena compare with the cost of birth control pills?

Mirena is an IUD that can be effective for a long time. After it’s placed, it should prevent pregnancy for up to 8 years and treat heavy menstrual bleeding for up to 5 years. Depending on your health insurance, you may pay for the IUD, insertion fees, and removal fees. But the cost shouldn’t change based on how long you use Mirena.

In comparison, birth control pills are usually taken on a daily basis. While you’re taking birth control pills, the amount you pay for a 28-day supply will be an ongoing expense. The cost can also vary depending on the type of pill you’re taking.

To learn more about how the cost of certain birth control pills compares with the cost of Mirena or other IUDs, talk with your doctor.

If you still have questions about the cost of Mirena, talk with your doctor. They may be able to give you a better idea of what you’ll pay for it. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’d pay for Mirena.

Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor or insurance provider include:

  • Does the amount of time I have Mirena affect the cost?
  • Can you prescribe lower cost intrauterine device (IUD) options?
  • How much does it cost to have Mirena inserted?

To learn more about Mirena, see these articles:

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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.