You shouldn't have to jump through hoops to get access to basic reproductive health care. Here's what you should know about how to get birth control pills, even if you don't have insurance. You've got this!
Quick Tip: One of the easiest ways to get birth control is to visit with a provider online and have it shipped to your door. Find out if you're eligible to get birth control prescribed online and delivered to your door for free.
Where to get birth control pills
Though many doctors support over-the-counter birth control, the reality is birth control pills require a prescription. You can't buy them over the counter.
Instead, you can get birth control pills in these ways:
Your doctor can write you a prescription. Typically, you'd need to make an appointment, see your doctor in their office, and then take the prescription to your local pharmacy to get it filled. These prescriptions expire after one year, and typically offer an option to receive just one fill per month.
A health clinic like Planned Parenthood or a student health center can prescribe birth control pills after an in-person visit.
A telemedicine provider can prescribe birth control pills in certain states and coordinate delivery to your home.
How much do birth control pills cost?
Birth control pills usually cost anywhere from $0 to $50 per month, depending on whether you have insurance and which brand of pill you choose.
If you have health insurance and go to your doctor to get birth control pills, the office visit is usually free, and most brands will be free of cost to you as well.
Cost of birth control pills without insurance
If you don't have health insurance, there are still low-cost ways to get birth control. Some local Planned Parenthood clinics can work with you to prescribe birth control pills at a rate that fits your budget.
There are also companies with medical teams that provide birth control evaluations online. Some companies charge a low fee of around $15 for the health consultation. If your provider decides birth control pills are right for you, those companies also offer competitive prices on the packs themselves.
Recap: How to get birth control pills
Although some progress is being made toward making birth control pills available over the counter at your local drugstore, as of now you still need a prescription for birth control pills.
The most common way to get a prescription for the pill has been to go through your doctor. Or, some women may go to a local health center like Planned Parenthood for the pill. But perhaps the most convenient way is to get birth control pills prescribed online by licensed healthcare providers and then delivered to your home.
Our company, The Pill Club, works with a team of licensed telemedicine providers who can quickly and conveniently evaluate whether birth control pills are right for you, and work with you to get a personalized prescription. We can also coordinate delivery straight to your door in discreet packaging.
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