Most people with health insurance can get Plan B at no cost, and several other options exist if you’re uninsured. The key is knowing which route to take before you’re at the pharmacy counter, since the process differs depending on your coverage and where you live.
Insurance Covers It at Zero Cost
Under the Affordable Care Act, health insurance plans are required to cover emergency contraception without any copay, deductible, or cost-sharing. This applies to both brand-name Plan B One-Step and generic versions like My Choice, Take Action, and AfterPill. The federal mandate covers levonorgestrel-based emergency contraception (the active ingredient in Plan B) as well as other FDA-approved options.
Here’s the catch that trips people up: Plan B is sold over the counter, but to trigger the zero-cost insurance benefit, you typically need a prescription. This feels counterintuitive since anyone can buy it off the shelf without one. But insurance plans process claims through their pharmacy benefit system, and most require a prescription to do that. A quick telehealth visit or call to your doctor’s office can get you one, sometimes in minutes. Some pharmacists in certain states can write prescriptions themselves.
Once you have a prescription, bring it to your pharmacy and ask them to run it through your insurance. You should pay nothing. If the pharmacist tells you there’s a copay, ask them to reprocess it or call your insurance company directly. Plans are required to cover at least one form of emergency contraception in each FDA category at no cost. If the brand-name version isn’t covered, the generic will be.
Medicaid Coverage by State
If you’re on Medicaid, you’re likely covered. As of 2021, 42 states provide Medicaid coverage for over-the-counter Plan B. The specifics vary: some states require a prescription for Medicaid to pay, while others process it more easily. Your best move is to call the pharmacy ahead of time and ask if they can bill your state Medicaid plan for levonorgestrel emergency contraception. If they need a prescription, a quick clinic visit (also covered by Medicaid) solves the problem.
Planned Parenthood and Community Health Centers
Planned Parenthood health centers often provide emergency contraception for free or on a sliding fee scale based on your income. You don’t need insurance. Eligibility and pricing vary by location, so calling your nearest clinic first is the fastest way to find out what you’ll pay. Many centers keep Plan B in stock and can hand it to you during a walk-in visit.
Local health departments and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) work similarly. These community clinics receive federal Title X family planning funding specifically to provide reproductive healthcare to people who can’t afford it. If your income is at or below the federal poverty level, services are typically free. Above that threshold, you pay on a sliding scale. There are over 4,000 Title X-funded sites across the country. You can find one near you by searching online for “Title X clinic near me.”
College Health Centers
If you’re a student, your campus health center is worth checking. Many universities stock emergency contraception and provide it free or at a significantly reduced price. Some campus health centers charge as little as $5 to $10, and others absorb the cost entirely. Even if they charge, it’s almost always cheaper than retail. Call ahead to confirm they have it in stock, since smaller schools may not keep it on hand.
What It Costs Without Any Coverage
If none of the free options work for your situation, generic versions are substantially cheaper than brand-name Plan B. The brand typically runs $40 to $50 at retail pharmacies. Generic levonorgestrel products are identical in active ingredient and effectiveness but cost less. Online options like Wisp sell generics for around $18, and Nurx offers them for as low as $20 without insurance. AfterPill, available online, is another budget option. These are the same drug at the same dose.
The manufacturer of Plan B One-Step does offer a coupon on their website (planbonestep.com), though the exact discount varies and restrictions apply. It won’t bring the price to zero, but it can help if you specifically want the brand-name product.
No Age Restrictions, No ID Required
The FDA approved Plan B for over-the-counter sale without any age restrictions in 2013. This applies to both the brand name and all generics. No one at a pharmacy can legally require you to show ID or prove your age to buy it. If a store keeps it behind the counter or in a locked case, that’s a theft-prevention decision, not a legal requirement. You can ask an employee to retrieve it for you without providing identification.
Time Matters More Than Price
Plan B works best the sooner you take it after unprotected sex. It can be used up to 72 hours (three days) afterward, but its effectiveness drops with each passing day. If cost is the only barrier standing between you and taking it now versus taking it tomorrow, the cheaper generic from a nearby store may be a better choice than waiting for a free option that takes longer to access. A $20 generic from a pharmacy tonight is more effective than a free one from a clinic that opens in two days.
If you’re past the 72-hour window but within five days, a different type of emergency contraception (sold under the brand name ella) is more effective at that point. It does require a prescription, but that same prescription means insurance will cover it at no cost under the ACA mandate.