Does Insurance Cover Birth Control and Lower Your Costs

Many people wonder if their insurance covers birth control, and if so, how it can lower their costs. Some insurance plans cover birth control without any out-of-pocket costs, while others may require a copayment or coinsurance.

In fact, according to the Affordable Care Act, most insurance plans are required to cover prescription birth control without any out-of-pocket costs. This includes hormonal methods, such as the pill and patch, as well as non-hormonal methods like the copper IUD.

However, it's essential to check your insurance plan to see what's covered and what's not. Some plans may have restrictions or requirements, such as a copayment or a pre-authorization process.

If your insurance plan does cover birth control, it can significantly lower your costs. For example, a study found that women who use birth control pills can save up to $500 per year compared to those who don't use birth control.

Insurance companies are required by law to cover at least one contraceptive method from each of the 18 FDA-approved categories. This means that you'll have access to a range of birth control options.

Under the ACA, insurance companies must cover hormonal birth control methods, barrier methods, and more. These categories include the pill, patch, ring, shot, diaphragm, spermicides, female condoms, sponges, and others.

While insurance companies must cover these categories, they may not cover every brand of birth control. For example, they can choose to include a generic birth control pill instead of a name-brand pill.

Insurance companies can also charge co-pays for name-brand pills, but if there's no generic form of a particular birth control method and it's necessary for the patient to have it, then the insurer must pay for it.

Here are the 18 FDA-approved categories of birth control:

31 states and the District of Columbia require insurers that cover prescription drugs to provide coverage of FDA-approved prescription contraceptive drugs and devices.

The cost of birth control can be a significant factor in deciding which method to use. The average cost of birth control pills is $50 per month, but this can vary depending on the type of pill and whether you have insurance.

If you have insurance, you may not pay anything out of pocket for birth control pills. Without insurance, the cost of birth control pills can range from $11 to $197 per month, depending on the specific medication.

Condoms are a more affordable option, costing just a few dollars each. However, the cost can add up over time, with the average couple spending around $150 per year on condoms.

Other forms of birth control, such as IUDs and implants, can be more expensive, with costs ranging from $500 to $1,000 or more without insurance. However, some IUDs can last for up to 12 years, making them a more cost-effective option in the long run.

Here are some estimated yearly costs for different types of birth control:

It's worth noting that some forms of birth control, such as the birth control shot, can be more expensive, with costs ranging from $220 to $460 per year.

You can access birth control online, but the process and cost vary. Some online providers, like Hers, Lemonaid, Nurx, and Wisp, may not accept insurance, so you'd have to pay out of pocket.

Telehealth appointments with your doctor or a women's care clinic can help you get free birth control online if you have insurance. This is because your birth control could be covered under your insurance plan.

Not all online providers accept insurance, which means you'd have to pay for your medication. However, the cost might be lower than what you'd pay at a pharmacy.

You can try scheduling a telehealth appointment to explore your options and see if you qualify for free birth control online.

If you're a woman who works for a religious institution, you might have to pay for your birth control out-of-pocket, as not all insurers are required to follow the ACA birth control coverage mandates.

Some insurers, however, offer programs to help with the cost, such as the Co-pay Savings Program for Mirena, which can reduce the cost of the Mirena IUD to as little as $20 for eligible patients.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) generally requires health plans to cover FDA-approved birth control, including intrauterine devices (IUDs), at low or no cost to the patient, but patients may still be responsible for the cost of the product and/or product-related costs.

You can save money on birth control without insurance by choosing a generic drug, which costs less than a name-brand drug. Generic drugs are available for many types of birth control, and you'll still need a prescription.

Reviewing your options can also help you save. IUDs and implants may cost more upfront, but they last longer and can be cheaper in the long run. An IUD can cost up to $1,300, but it's a one-time payment.

Comparing prices at different pharmacies is another way to save. Drug prices vary across pharmacies, so it's worth calling around to find the best deal. This can make a big difference in your monthly expenses.

You can also use discount coupons to lower your costs. Programs like GoodRx can help you save money on birth control pills and other prescriptions. For example, a $50 prescription could cost around $15 to $25 per month after the discount.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires insurance companies to cover all FDA-approved forms of birth control in their plans with no co-pay or deductible, aka "free." This means that 62.8 million women have birth control insurance coverage with no out-of-pocket costs thanks to the ACA.

You may be able to get Mirena with no out-of-pocket cost, but it's essential to check your insurance plan to confirm coverage.

You may be able to get Mirena with no out-of-pocket cost, as 95% of women were covered for a Bayer IUD, like Mirena, with little or no out-of-pocket costs.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) generally requires health plans to cover FDA-approved birth control, including intrauterine devices (IUDs), at low or no cost to the patient.

You can get help finding a healthcare provider nearby to discuss your options and see if Mirena is covered by your insurance.

If you do have to pay for Mirena, the Co-pay Savings Program for Mirena may help, making it possible to pay as little as $20 out of pocket for the IUD.

Benefit limitations apply to the Co-pay Savings Program for Mirena, so be sure to check the terms and conditions.

Working for a religious institution can present unique challenges, especially when it comes to accessing essential benefits like birth control. Not every insurer is required to follow the ACA birth control coverage mandates.

If you're employed by a religious employer, you might be exempt from having your birth control covered by your insurance. Religious institutions, non-profit religious organizations, and religious schools are also exempt from covering birth control.

You'll need to pay for your birth control out-of-pocket if your insurance is through a religious employer. This can be a significant financial burden, especially for those who rely on birth control for their health and well-being.

It's worth noting that you can use a third-party insurer to cover the cost of birth control fully. This might be a viable option for those who need access to affordable birth control.

Most health insurance plans cover emergency contraception, including the morning-after pill, and you can get it for free with a prescription. You can get a prescription for morning-after pills from your nurse or doctor, or in some states, from a pharmacist.

The most effective type of morning-after pill is ella, which you need a prescription to get. Most health insurance plans will cover ella at no cost to you.

You can also get certain IUDs up to five days after unprotected sex, which is a very effective way to prevent pregnancy. A nurse or doctor needs to prescribe an IUD and put it in, so IUDs are also covered by most health insurance plans.

Wellness exams, including gynecological exams, annual exams, or "well woman" exams, are also covered by most health insurance plans. This includes services like pelvic exams, Pap tests, breast exams, and STD testing.

Emergency Contraception (Morning-After Pill) is a crucial option to have on hand, especially if you're sexually active.

Most health insurance plans cover all methods of birth control that you can get with a prescription, including emergency contraception. You can get a prescription for morning-after pills from your nurse or doctor.

There are three kinds of emergency contraception: certain IUDs, the ella morning-after pill, and the Plan B (and other generic versions) morning-after pill. Ella is the most effective type, but it requires a prescription.

You can buy Plan B or other levonorgestrel morning-after pills over-the-counter at drugstores, pharmacies, and online, but your health insurance won't pay for them if you don't have a prescription.

It's a good idea to get morning-after pills ahead of time and keep them in your medicine cabinet, just in case.

Wellness exams are a must for maintaining good health. Most health insurance plans cover preventive health care for free, including wellness exams, with no copay, coinsurance, or other out-of-pocket costs.

You can get a wellness exam, also known as a "well woman" exam, which includes services like pelvic exams, Pap tests, breast exams, STD testing, and birth control counseling. Most plans cover at least one wellness visit per year.

Preventive care services like vaccines, cholesterol screenings, blood pressure screening, and certain mental health screenings are also covered. You can talk with your doctor or call your health insurance provider for more information on coverage for preventive services.

If you don't have insurance, you can visit a Planned Parenthood health center for affordable care. Many people qualify for free or low-cost wellness exams at Planned Parenthood health centers.