Birth Control Can Cost $15-$1300. Here is Why: | Mira Health
Birth Control Can Cost $15-$1300. Here is Why:
There are several available options when it comes to choosing the right birth control method. Without insurance, birth control can cost up to $50 for the pill, $300 for the implant, and up to $1,300 for an IUD. An appointment with a doctor or nurse may be necessary in order to get a prescription for the pill. This visit can cost anywhere between $35 and $250.
Alyssa Corso
Alyssa is a Senior Marketing Associate & Content Writer at Mira. She is passionate about educating others on how to affordably access healthcare.
The cost of birth control isn’t the thing that should stop you from protecting yourself. With a Mira membership, you can get up to 80% off prescriptions. Your membership also includes affordable urgent care visits, same-day diagnostic tests, and more. Sign up today to get started.
The Cost of Birth Control Without Insurance
Without insurance, birth control can cost up to $50 for the pill, $300 for the implant, and up to $1,300 for an IUD. See the chart below for more costs for each birth control method.
The Cost of Each Birth Control Method
| Birth Control Method | Description | Out-of-Pocket Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Birth Control Pill | One-month supply, various brands and formulations | $15-$50 |
| Birth Control Implant | Single implant inserted under the skin, lasts 3-5 years | $300 |
| IUD | Intrauterine device inserted into the uterus, lasts 3-12 years (depending on type) | $1,300 |
| Birth Control Shot | Injection given every 3 months | $150 |
| Birth Control Vaginal Ring | Flexible ring inserted into the vagina, releases hormones, lasts 3 months | $200 |
| Birth Control Patch | Patch worn on the skin, releases hormones, weekly replacement | $150 |
| Condom | Latex or synthetic sheath to prevent pregnancy and STIs | ~$2 each |
| Internal Condom | Similar to a male condom, but placed inside the vagina | ~$2-3 each |
| Diaphragm | Silicone cup with spermicide, fits over the cervix | $75 |
| Birth Control Sponge | Disposable sponge with spermicide, inserted into the vagina | $15 for 3 sponges |
| Cervical Cap | Silicone cup that covers the cervix, blocking sperm | $90 |
| Spermicide | Cream, foam, gel, or suppository containing sperm-killing chemicals | $8 per tube/container |
| Sterilization (Female) | Tubal ligation, surgical procedure to block fallopian tubes | $6,000 |
| Vasectomy (Male) | Surgical procedure to block sperm ducts | $1,000 |
| Withdrawal (Pull Out Method) | No cost | Not a reliable method, high failure rate |
Your actual price for birth control varies depending on whether or not you have health insurance or if you qualify for Medicaid or other government programs that cover the cost of birth control pills.
With Mira, you can go to urgent care for a small co-pay, get discounts on your birth control, and continue to get care for just $45 per month. Start your coverage today.
How can I access free or discounted birth control?
Birth control is typically free with most health insurance plans, or if you qualify for some government programs. In most states, you can even get birth control pills prescribed and mailed to you using the Planned Parenthood Direct app.
If you don't have insurance, Mira may be a good option for you to access affordable birth control. For just $45 per month, you can access all of our urgent care clinics across the country, get low copays, and 80% off prescriptions through MiraRx. Mircette, a popular prescribed birth control pill, is as low as $18 through MiraRx (instead of $50). Ortho-try-cyclin, another popular birth control, costs as little as $15 using MiraRx.
Do I Need A Prescription for Birth Control?
There are different ways to access birth control methods depending on the type. For the Birth Control Pill, you need a prescription. With spermicide or condoms, however, you do not need a prescription.
How to Access Each Type of Birth Control
| Birth Control Method | Access |
|---|---|
| Birth Control Pill | Prescription required |
| Birth Control Implant | Put in by a doctor or nurse |
| IUD | Put in by a doctor or a nurse |
| Birth Control Shot | Injected by a doctor or a nurse, or yourself at home |
| Birth Control Vaginal Ring | Prescription required |
| Birth Control Patch | Prescription required |
| Condom | No prescription required |
| Internal Condom | May need prescription |
| Diaphragm | Prescription required |
| Birth control sponge | No prescription required |
| Cervical cap | Prescription required |
| Spermicide | No prescription required |
| Sterilization | Surgical procedure |
| Vasectomy | Surgical procedure |
| Withdrawal (pull out method) | Dedication is required |
| Abstinence | Dedication is required |
| Fertility Awareness Method | Dedication required |
You can obtain a prescription for birth control from the following:
- Doctor's office
- Urgent care
- Health clinics
- Planned Parenthood
- OB/GYN
How much is the Morning-After Pill (Plan B)?
It's also important to be aware of emergency contraception — such as the morning-after pill (Plan B One-Step, Aftera, Ella, others) — which can be used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. You can get the morning-after pill from CVS, Walgreens, RiteAid, and other large pharmacies, as well as many family planning or health department clinics and Planned Parenthood health centers. Plan B One-Step usually costs about $40-$50. Take Action, and My Way generally costs less — about $15- $45. You can also order a generic brand called AfterPill online for $20 + $5 shipping.
How effective is birth control?
Each birth control method comes with a different percentage of effectiveness. The most effective birth control methods are birth control implants, the IUD, birth control shots, birth control vaginal rings, pills, patches, abstinence, sterilization, and vasectomy.
| Birth Control Method | Effectiveness |
|---|---|
| Birth Control Pill | 91% effective |
| Birth Control Implant | 99% effective |
| IUD | 99% effective |
| Birth Control Shot | 94% effective |
| Birth Control Vaginal Ring | 91% effective |
| Birth Control Patch | 91% effective |
| Condom | 85% effective |
| Internal Condom | 79% effective |
| Diaphragm | 88% effective |
| Birth control sponge | 76-88% effective |
| Cervical cap | 71-86% effective |
| Spermicide | 71% effective |
| Sterilization | 99% effective |
| Vasectomy | 99% effective |
| Withdrawal (pull out method) | 78% effective |
| Abstinence | 100% effective |
| Fertility Awareness Method | 76-88% effective |
Frequently Asked Questions About Birth Control (FAQ)
How does birth control work?
Depending on the birth control method you choose, they work in various ways, by:
- Preventing sperm from reaching the egg
- Inactivating or damaging sperm
- Preventing an egg from being released each month
- Altering the lining of the uterus so that a fertilized egg doesn't attach to it
- Thickening cervical mucus so that sperm can't easily pass through it
What are the options when it comes to birth control?
There are many options when it comes to choosing birth control, including:
- Barrier methods: Examples include male and female condoms, as well as the diaphragm, cervical cap, and contraceptive sponge.
- Short-acting hormonal methods: Examples include birth control pills, as well as the vaginal ring (NuvaRing), skin patch (Xulane), and contraceptive injection (Depo-Provera). You have to remember to use them on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.
- Long-acting hormonal methods: Examples include the copper IUD (ParaGard), the hormonal IUD (Mirena, Skyla, Kyleena, others), and the contraceptive implant (Nexplanon). These are considered long-acting methods because they last for three to 10 years after insertion — depending on the device — or until you decide to have the device removed.
- Sterilization: This is a permanent method of birth control. Examples include tubal ligation for women and vasectomy for men.
- Fertility awareness methods: These methods focus on knowing which days of the month you can get pregnant (fertile), often based on basal body temperature and cervical mucus. To avoid getting pregnant, you do not have sex on or around the days you are fertile or use a barrier method of birth control.
The Bottom Line
While birth control varies in cost based on various factors, it’s important to evaluate which birth control is right for you through its effectiveness and cost. By using MiraRx, you can save up to 80% on most birth control prescriptions. Sign up today.