You can get an IUD inserted at most OB/GYN offices, primary care clinics, Planned Parenthood health centers, community health clinics, and some university student health centers. The procedure is quick, typically done in a standard exam room, and many providers now offer same-day insertion during the same visit where you discuss your options.
Types of Clinics That Insert IUDs
IUD insertion is a routine office procedure, so it doesn’t require a hospital or surgical center. The most common places to get one include:
- OB/GYN offices: The most straightforward option if you already have a gynecologist. Most OB/GYN practices stock IUDs and can place them during a regular appointment.
- Primary care and family medicine clinics: Many family doctors and internists are trained in IUD placement, so you may not need a specialist referral at all.
- Planned Parenthood health centers: These clinics specifically offer IUD services and are often a go-to for people without a regular gynecologist. There are roughly 600 health centers across the country.
- Title X family planning clinics: Federally funded clinics that provide contraceptive services on a sliding fee scale based on income. The HHS Office of Population Affairs maintains a clinic locator to find one by zip code.
- Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs): Community health centers that serve uninsured and underinsured patients. Many offer IUDs, though availability can vary by location. Sliding scale fees can start as low as $20 for uninsured patients.
- University and college health centers: Some campus clinics place IUDs directly, while others provide counseling and refer you to a nearby provider. If you’re a student, this is worth checking first since it’s convenient and often lower cost.
Who Is Qualified to Place an IUD
IUDs are placed by licensed clinical providers, not just OB/GYNs. The full list of professionals trained to do insertions includes physicians (MDs and DOs), nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, and physician assistants. When you call to book an appointment, you can ask whether the provider at that clinic is experienced with IUD placement specifically. Some providers place them weekly, while others do it less frequently.
Same-Day Insertion vs. Two Visits
Traditionally, many clinics scheduled IUD insertion as a two-visit process: one consultation appointment to discuss your options and a second visit for the actual placement. Some providers also asked patients to come back during their menstrual period, based on an older belief that the cervix is slightly more open at that time.
That approach is changing. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recognizes that same-day insertion is safe, cost-effective, and improves outcomes by removing the barrier of scheduling a return visit. If you already know which IUD you want, ask whether the clinic offers same-day placement when you call. Not every office stocks all IUD types, so confirming availability ahead of time can save you a trip. Clinics that specialize in family planning, like Planned Parenthood, are more likely to have devices on hand for same-day procedures.
How Much It Costs
Under the Affordable Care Act, most private insurance plans are required to cover FDA-approved contraceptive methods, including IUDs, with no copay, coinsurance, or deductible. This applies to the device itself and the insertion procedure. Medicaid also covers IUDs in all 50 states. If you have insurance, your out-of-pocket cost should be zero in most cases, though it’s worth calling your plan to confirm your specific provider is in-network.
Without insurance, the total cost for the device plus insertion ranges from $500 to $1,800. The IUD itself accounts for most of that expense. Some options for reducing cost if you’re uninsured:
- Title X clinics use a sliding fee scale based on your income, and services are confidential.
- FQHCs offer similar sliding scale pricing and often have assistance programs for contraceptive devices.
- Planned Parenthood accepts Medicaid and offers services on a sliding scale for patients without coverage.
- Manufacturer assistance programs exist for some IUD brands and can reduce or eliminate the cost of the device for qualifying patients.
Even at full price, the per-year cost of an IUD is relatively low compared to monthly contraceptive methods, since hormonal IUDs last 3 to 8 years (depending on the type) and the copper IUD lasts up to 10.
How to Find a Provider Near You
The fastest ways to locate a clinic that does IUD insertions:
- Planned Parenthood’s online locator lets you search by zip code and filter for birth control services.
- The Title X clinic locator on the HHS Office of Population Affairs website finds federally funded family planning clinics near you.
- Bedsider.org is a free tool endorsed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists that helps you find clinics offering contraception by location.
- Your insurance company’s provider directory can identify in-network OB/GYNs and family medicine providers who list IUD placement among their services.
When you call a clinic, three things are worth asking upfront: whether they have the specific IUD type you want in stock, whether they offer same-day placement, and what the cost will be with your insurance (or without it). Getting clear answers on those three questions before your visit avoids surprises and extra appointments.