Nexplanon (etonogestrel) is a prescription birth control device that’s used to prevent pregnancy. Nexplanon’s cost may depend on factors such as whether you have health insurance.

Nexplanon is a form of hormonal birth control prescribed to help prevent pregnancy.

The active ingredient in Nexplanon is etonogestrel. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) Nexplanon comes as an implant that’s inserted into your arm.

Keep reading for details on Nexplanon and cost, and how to save money on prescriptions. For more details on Nexplanon, see this in-depth article.

The price you pay for Nexplanon can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan and your insurance coverage (if you have it). It will also depend on how much you have to pay for an office visit with your doctor to have Nexplanon inserted.

To find out how much you’ll pay for Nexplanon, 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 Nexplanon. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss Nexplanon in regard to your treatment. Then the insurance company will determine whether Nexplanon is covered by your insurance plan. If Nexplanon requires prior authorization and you don’t receive it before you start treatment, you could pay the full cost of the drug.

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

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

What’s the cost of Nexplanon without insurance vs. with insurance?

Your cost of Nexplanon will vary depending on several factors. For example, your cost may depend on how much your doctor charges for an appointment and if you have an insurance plan that covers Nexplanon.

It’s likely that the cost of Nexplanon with insurance will be less than the cost of the drug without insurance. But to find out what you’ll pay, talk with your doctor or insurance provider. They can tell you what your cost will be for Nexplanon.

How much does it cost to have Nexplanon removed?

The removal cost for Nexplanon depends on many factors. This may include your insurance plan (if you have one) and the amount that your doctor’s office charges for Nexplanon removal. It’s likely that the removal cost without insurance will be more than the cost with insurance.

It’s also important to note that you can have a new Nexplanon device inserted at the same time that you have the old implant removed. So, you wouldn’t need to pay for two separate visits to have Nexplanon replaced.

Before having Nexplanon removed, talk with your doctor or insurance provider to find out what the cost of removal may be.

Nexplanon only comes as a brand-name drug. It’s not currently available in a generic version. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

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 makers 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 Nexplanon or understanding your insurance, check out these websites:

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 pharmacist. You may be able to get assistance with the cost of Nexplanon through the Affordable Care Act. Talk with your doctor or insurance provider to determine what your cost of Nexplanon may be.

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

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

  • Are there lower cost medications you can prescribe for contraception?
  • What’s the difference in cost between Nexplanon and an intrauterine device (IUD)?
  • What are my options if I can’t afford Nexplanon?

To learn more about Nexplanon, 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.