Birth control costs anywhere from $0 to over $2,000 depending on the method you choose and whether you have insurance. With most insurance plans, you’ll pay nothing out of pocket. Without insurance, a monthly pill pack runs $0 to $50, while long-acting options like IUDs can cost up to $1,800 upfront but last for years.
What Insurance Covers
Health plans sold through the marketplace are required to cover all FDA-approved contraceptive methods with no copay, no coinsurance, and no deductible, as long as you use an in-network provider. That includes pills, rings, patches, IUDs, implants, the shot, emergency contraception, and sterilization procedures for women. Vasectomies are not included in this mandate.
If you have employer-sponsored insurance, the same rules generally apply, though some religiously affiliated employers have exemptions. Always confirm your specific plan’s coverage before assuming a method is free, especially for brand-name drugs when a generic equivalent is available. Your insurer may cover only the generic version at zero cost and require you to pay the difference for a brand name.
The Pill
Prescription birth control pills cost between $0 and $50 per month without insurance. Generic versions sit at the lower end of that range, while brand-name pills push toward the higher end. Over a year, that’s up to $600 if you’re paying full price for a brand-name option.
There’s also a newer over-the-counter option called Opill, which you can buy without a prescription. A one-month pack costs $19.99, a three-month pack is $49.99, and a six-month supply runs $89.99. Because it’s sold over the counter, insurance typically won’t cover it, but you avoid the cost of a doctor’s visit to get a prescription.
IUDs
An IUD costs between $0 and $1,800 without insurance. That price covers the device itself, the insertion procedure, and follow-up visits. The wide range reflects the difference between hormonal and copper IUDs, as well as variation between clinics and regions. With insurance, the full cost is typically covered.
The upfront number can look steep, but IUDs last 3 to 12 years depending on the type. Spread over that lifespan, even an $1,800 IUD works out to roughly $15 to $50 per month, making it one of the most cost-effective options over time.
The Implant
The contraceptive arm implant costs between $0 and $2,300 without insurance. Removal adds another $0 to $300. Like the IUD, this price includes the device and the procedure to place it. The implant lasts up to three years, so even at the top of the price range, the monthly cost averages around $64. With insurance, it’s almost always fully covered.
The Shot
The birth control shot costs between $0 and $150 per injection, and you need a new one every three months. Your first visit may include an exam fee on top of the shot itself, and each follow-up visit can also cost up to $150. That puts the annual cost without insurance at roughly $600 in a worst-case scenario. With insurance, each visit is typically covered at no cost.
The Ring and the Patch
Vaginal rings and contraceptive patches are mid-range options that work on a monthly cycle (or longer, in some cases). Brand-name versions of both tend to cost more than generic pills, and pricing varies significantly by pharmacy, insurance plan, and whether a generic is available. The ring in particular has both a monthly version and a year-long reusable version, with the latter costing more upfront but potentially saving money over 12 months. If you have insurance, these are generally covered at no cost. Without insurance, ask your pharmacist to compare prices across brands and generics.
Emergency Contraception
Plan B One-Step costs about $40 to $50 at most pharmacies. Generic alternatives like Take Action, My Way, and AfterPill are cheaper, ranging from $11 to $45. These are available over the counter without a prescription.
The prescription-only option, ella, costs about $50 or more at a pharmacy. Ordering it online runs around $90, which includes a medical consultation and overnight shipping. Insurance plans are required to cover both types of emergency contraception when prescribed, so if you have time to get a prescription, you may pay nothing.
Sterilization
Tubal ligation for women is covered at no cost under the ACA’s contraceptive mandate when performed by an in-network provider. Without insurance, it’s a surgical procedure that can cost several thousand dollars. Vasectomies are not covered under the contraceptive mandate, but most insurance plans still cover them as an outpatient procedure. Co-pays and deductibles may apply. Vasectomies are generally less expensive and carry fewer risks than tubal ligation.
Options if You Can’t Afford It
Several programs exist specifically to make birth control affordable for people without insurance or with low incomes. Planned Parenthood health centers offer reduced fees based on your financial situation, and many accept insurance as well. If cost is a concern, your local center can help you find a method that fits your budget.
Title X family planning clinics, funded by the federal government, use an income-based sliding scale. If your household income is at or below the federal poverty level, you pay nothing. Between 100% and 250% of the poverty level, you receive a discount. Above 250%, you’re charged standard fees, but no one is turned away for inability to pay. Unemancipated minors who seek confidential services are evaluated based on their own income, not their parents’.
Some pharmaceutical manufacturers also offer savings cards or patient assistance programs for brand-name contraceptives. These can significantly reduce costs for specific products, so it’s worth checking the manufacturer’s website for whatever method you’re considering.