Our FAQ

Pill Club offers a prescribing service*, medication fulfillment^, and free delivery+ of birth control care packages with fun gifts and goodies! We are HIPAA-compliant, and our pharmacy is recognized by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) and multiple pharmacy boards to dispense medication nationwide. Backed by Stanford physicians, our exemplary healthcare team consists of doctors, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and registered nurses.

If you already have a prescription for birth control, we can transfer^ it to our pharmacy, and your birth control will be included in one of our signature care packages with fun gifts and goodies+!

We accept most insurance plans and select Medicaid plans; we also serve patients without insurance. Please refer to our Cost and Insurance section for more information.

If you need a birth control prescription and live in a state where we can prescribe, you can request a prescription by answering a series of basic health questions. Our medical team will carefully review your profile and prescribe the most appropriate birth control option for you.

We accept most insurance plans and select Medicaid plans; we also serve patients without insurance. Please refer to our Cost and Insurance section for more information.

Do you have an existing prescription?

• Create an account with us and complete your profile. Please provide your current pharmacy’s address. We’ll transfer your prescription to our pharmacy services and text you once your prescription is ready to go. Our pharmacy team will fill your prescription according to your insurance, and you’ll be a part of the Club!

Would you like Pill Club to write you a new prescription*?

• Create an account with Pill Club and complete your profile. Answer a series of simple questions that will serve as your health history. Once complete, our medical team will review your health history, coordinating with you via text message the entire way so you’re up-to-date. If our medical team approves your profile, we’ll write your prescription for the most suitable birth control method based on your preferences, and you’ll be a part of the Club!

Would you like your doctor to write you a new prescription and send it to Pill Club?

• Create an account with Pill Club and complete your profile. Your doctor can call, fax, or e-prescribe a new prescription to us. Our phone number is (772) 217-4557 and our fax is (888) 873-6994. Your doctor can e-prescribe under “The Pill Club.” Once we receive your prescription from your doctor, our pharmacy team will notify you via text message. Our pharmacy team will then fill your prescription according to your insurance coverage and you’ll be a part of the Club!

For all options, if you’re a cash patient, you’ll have to pay for your prescription. If you have insurance coverage, you’ll only have to pay a copay if your insurance requires one.

Yes! Shipping is always 100% free, or you may stop by to pick up your package during our pharmacy’s business hours. Pill Club covers shipping fees, and we include complimentary gifts in your care package. When your prescription is ready to be delivered+, we’ll text you the tracking link so you can track your care package. Refer to our Shipping section for more details.

Currently, we have over 100 brands of the birth control pill. We do not offer the IUD or the implant as these need to be administered in a doctor’s office.

The pill is an oral medication taken daily. In order to use the pill effectively, take 1 pill by mouth at the same time every day. If you’ve spoken to your prescriber about skipping your periods, carefully follow the directions that you’ve discussed.

Yes, you can request emergency contraception! Having EC pills available for future use is recommended for those at risk of unintended pregnancy. EC is only recommended as a backup, and should not be used as your primary method of birth control. You can get emergency contraception when you sign up, or decide to make it an add-on to your next care package. EC is available whether you have insurance or not. We'll check to see if the cost is completely covered by your insurance. If EC is not covered by your insurance, we offer competitive pricing.

We do offer the FC2® Internal Condom upon request as an add-on to your birth control! We will check if the cost is completely covered by your insurance.

We partner with companies offering products that contribute to a happy and healthy lifestyle. Your complimentary care package includes your birth control, a sweet treat, fun stickers or art print, and samples! New featured samples are introduced every 1st of the month. Please join our Facebook Community Group to get an inside look at your next care package!

If you’re receiving a prescription* from us:

• Complete health questionnaire
• Current delivery address

If you’re transferring a prescription from another pharmacy to us^:

• Current delivery address
• Address of the pharmacy where your existing prescription is currently located

If you’re using insurance:

• Clear photo of your medical insurance card with your ID number
• Clear photo of your pharmacy card, if separate from medical insurance card. The pharmacy card will have the Rx BIN, Rx PCN, and Rx Group numbers

If you’re not using insurance:

• A credit or debit card on file in your Pill Club account. Please refer to the Payment section for more information.

We currently deliver to 50 states in the US! Please refer to the list at the top of the page to see which states we can deliver and prescribe* to.

We use discreet packaging with no branding on it, so your business stays your business! Our discreet packaging also discourages medication theft. The shipping label says that the care package was sent by TPC (instead of Pill Club) along with our office address.

It depends on your insurance! Usually once a month or once every 3 months. If you don’t have insurance and pay for your prescription yourself, you can choose monthly, quarterly, or yearly shipments. Tip: Save money by buying a quarterly or yearly supply.

When your next refill is ready to be shipped, we’ll text you a tracking link so you can track your shipment from leaving our office to arriving in your mailbox!

We use UPS Mail Innovations to ship all of our care packages. This means that UPS will carry your shipment to the hub nearest to you, and then it will be transferred to USPS for the remainder of the shipping process.

Yes! Heads Up: If your prescription is covered by insurance, your delivery date depends on when your insurance allows us to process your next refill. We can reschedule your delivery for any date as long as your insurance approves it. Please be sure to let us know in advance if you need to postpone your delivery. If you’re a cash patient, you can change your next delivery date to be whenever you like! Please text us at 44872 or at (772) 217-4557.

If you live in an apartment, ask the leasing department or front desk if they received the care package instead of you. We also suggest you check with your neighbors in case they received it by mistake. In addition, if you’ve moved recently, we encourage you to check your previous address for your care package, if possible! If you still can’t find it, please reach out to a member of the patient care team by texting us at 44872, or at (772) 217-4557.

No worries, it happens! If you lose your birth control pack, please contact our patient care team by texting us at 44872 or calling us at (772) 217-4557 as soon as you can. We’ll try our best to help you out!

We accept all major prescription insurance plans, including Medi-CAL and Family PACT. If you’re part of a closed network health plan, such as Kaiser, you must continue to fill at the pharmacies within that network. We can take select Medicaid plans in certain states.

No worries, we’re able to accept patients without insurance for an out-of-pocket cost! If you don’t have health insurance or we’re not contracted with your insurance plan, Pill Club offers a $15 consultation fee - and we offer competitive pricing for birth control.

Our patient care team is always available at 44872 or at (772) 217-4557 to provide a price quote for your medication so you can use our services! If your insurance is provided by your employer, contact a member of your employer's human resources department who is in charge of handling insurance benefits, or you can contact your insurance company directly.

Please text pictures of all additional insurance cards to our patient care team at 44872 or at (772) 217-4557 to prevent any delays with your prescription. We’ll always recommend the option with the best coverage for you!

If you don’t live in California: You can contact your insurance company to keep your birth control confidential from your cardholder while using their insurance.

For California residents: To keep your birth control confidential from your parents while using their insurance, you can contact your insurance company! Ask them if they accept a Confidential Communications Request and how you can submit one. Please check the website below.

Yes, because Planned Parenthood is a dispensing clinic, not a pharmacy. In order to fill your prescription with us, you must personally request that your Planned Parenthood clinic sends a new prescription to us by fax, phone, or e-prescribe. Our phone number is (772) 217-4557 and our fax is (888) 873-6994. Your clinic can e-prescribe under “Pill Club.”

Some insurance plans are contracted with specific mail order pharmacies, and will not allow us to fill for you unless you call them to “disenroll.” If this happens to you, you can contact your plan to continue with our service, or let a member of our team know at 44872 or at (772) 217-4557 so we can better assist you!

Some insurance plans only partially cover the cost of birth control. In that case, you may be required to pay a copay out of pocket to receive your prescription. This copay amount is dictated by your insurance company. In that case, we will always text you to confirm your copay before your prescription is shipped out.

Our pricing changes as the manufacturer changes the cost. Costs are entirely set by drug manufacturers and drug wholesalers. Our partnerships team works with our distributors to bring the cost down whenever possible. We offer bulk pricing options so that you can save money on your prescription!

Managed Care Plans are a type of health insurance. They have contracts with health care providers and medical facilities to provide care for members at reduced costs. These providers make up the plan's network. Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) usually only pay for care within the network. If you’re covered under a state Medicaid plan, you may be covered under a Managed Care plan as well, which is based on the county where you live. We require both your state Medicaid plan and Managed Care plan cards in order to process your prescription more quickly!

We currently have over 100 brands of the birth control pill. We no longer offer NuvaRing® and/or the Patch at this time.

The combined hormonal pill and the vaginal ring are all equally effective methods of birth control when taken as prescribed. These methods are approximately 91% to 99% effective. For the average person, it can be a challenge to use a method perfectly 100% of the time, so there is an estimated range. However, for people who always use their method correctly and consistently, the method will be approximately 99% effective for them.

Yes, you can safely skip your monthly periods with monophasic birth control pills or the ring! Please let us know if you’d like to skip your periods so we can have a member of our medical team review how to properly take your pill as directed! Some women may experience breakthrough bleeding during the first few months of skipping periods, which is a normal side effect.

Generics and equivalents are the same thing! They contain the same drug at the same dose, and must be approved by the FDA to be interchangeable. Brand and generic equivalents all have the same efficacy, which is 99% effective when used correctly.

To change the drug brand or method, please reach out to a member of our patient care team by texting us at 44872 or at (772) 217-4557. We request that you inform us if you’re changing birth control because of side effects, so one of our nurse practitioners can provide consultation and re-prescribe* you the most suitable method, if necessary.

It depends! We do offer a prescribing service* in select states. If you reside in one of our prescribing states, all you’ll need to do is fill out a health questionnaire in your account, and our nurse practitioner will write you a prescription if you’re eligible! Make sure to have a recent blood pressure reading before you fill it out (which you can do at many local pharmacies for free) and specify any brand preferences if you wish to stay on the same type of birth control you have previously been using.

Yes! We have competitive pricing and you can purchase up to 2 packs at a time. You can reach out to our patient care team by texting us at 44872 or calling us at (772) 217-4557, and we will forward your request! Make sure to update your payment information. We’ll charge your credit card once your birth control has been fully processed and filled.

Our nurse practitioners can prescribe birth control to you if it's been more than 6 weeks since you've given birth. Just let us know and we'll find you the best option for breastfeeding mothers and non-breastfeeding mothers!

A friendly reminder: Smoking while taking birth control can increase the risk of possible blood clots and stroke. If you’re a smoker and interested in quitting, please visit nobutts.org or call 1800NOBUTTS to receive additional support. Quitting can be challenging—maybe one of the most challenging things you'll ever do—but we believe in you. You’re worth it!

Although there’s a higher overall risk of developing blood clots, the benefits of birth control generally outweigh the risk. In most cases, it’s okay to continue with combined hormonal birth control if you’re under 35. We’ll discuss alternative options if you’re 35 or older. Just reach out, we’re happy to talk.

Experiencing some spotting and breakthrough bleeding? Don’t worry. This is a common side effect of using birth control. Please keep in mind that it can take some time for your body to adjust to the change in hormones. Each person’s experience with birth control may be different. Check out the list of common side effects shown below. Our medical team suggests sticking to any new birth control for 2 to 3 months before switching brands, unless you have intolerable side effects.

Some common side effects of combined hormonal birth control are as follows:

Pill: abdominal pain, acne, bloating, breakthrough bleeding, breast tenderness, contact lens intolerance, depression, headache, irregular bleeding, mood changes, nausea, vomiting, weight changes, and yeast infection

Ring: all of the side effects related to the pill as listed above, as well as possible vaginal irritation

Please see your primary care provider or reach out to one of our pharmacists (650) 562-7271 for concerns about common side effects. You may also text us at 44872 to discuss common side effects.

Although rare, serious side effects may occur. If you experience any of the following symptoms, immediately go to the nearest Emergency Room or call 911.

Remember the acronym ACHESS

A bdominal pain—severe, upper right side

C hest or severe arm pain, shortness of breath

H eadache—severe, not relieved with over-the-counter oral pain reliever

E ye problems or blurry vision

S welling/redness, severe leg pain

S uicidal thoughts or wanting to harm yourself or others

Call the National Suicide Lifeline at (800) 273-8255 for free and confidential support, 24/7.

IMPORTANT: Note that shortness of breath, trouble swallowing, facial swelling, hives/rash, etc. may be anaphylaxis or a severe allergic reaction. If you experience any of these symptoms, please go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 immediately.

You’ll get your refill as often as your insurance allows! The quantity of birth control we can send to you depends on your insurance. Refills are usually once a month or once every 3 months. Tip: Save money by buying a quarterly or yearly supply.

Our system is automated so we’re able to process and send your birth control as soon as your insurance allows us. Depending on what your insurance allows, you may receive up to a 3-month supply at a time. You only need to request a refill if you need it on a different date!

When we request a prescription transfer, it may take up to 3 days for your previous pharmacy to respond, followed by 3 to 5 business days for UPS to deliver your package. Therefore, we advise you to pick up a refill at your local pharmacy to avoid any gaps in birth control while you’re waiting for your care package to arrive!

Your prescription expires a year after it’s written. If you’re out of refills, we'll try to contact your doctor for more refills. However, you should also call your doctor to let them know you need a new prescription. You may need to be seen by your doctor before you can receive a refill. Your doctor can call in, fax in, or e-prescribe a new prescription to us. Our phone number is (772) 217-4557 and our fax is (888) 873-6994. Our medical team can also prescribe in select states!

We send+ out refills as soon as your insurance allows! We always try to send your next care package approximately 5 days before you’re scheduled to run out of your refill to avoid any gaps in your birth control coverage. (This might be useful if you go on vacation or lose a pack!)

Absolutely! We’re a licensed pharmacy and must meet all of the patient information security practices for healthcare provider organizations in the United States. You can read our privacy statement for more information.

We use industry-standard encryption; all of your information is stored in encrypted form on our servers according to strict federal standards, including HIPAA.

Absolutely! All transactions/payments are processed using industry-standard protection. Our payments and transactions are handled with Stripe, Inc.

Thanks to our partnership with Stripe, we can accept major credit cards including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB, Discover, Diners Club credit cards or debit cards, and select prepaid credit cards. Unfortunately, we can’t accept checks or money orders. We also do not accept HSA/FSA cards, but you can submit your receipts to be reimbursed by those plans.

Your payment method will be charged when your prescription is being filled. When the payment is complete, you’ll receive an email confirmation with the receipt.

Oh no! Here are a few things to check if your payment didn't go through: Check that your card's billing details match what you've entered into our system. If your card has expired, then your card issuer may have declined your payment. They don’t tell us the reason for declining a card, so it’s best to check with them before trying your card again. If none of these apply, please text or call us at 44872 or at (772) 217-4557 and we’ll help you figure out what happened.

If you miss a pill or more than one pill, there are specific directions on how to make up the missed dose(s), but it depends on what type of birth control pills you take. This information can be found on the package insert located inside your birth control package, but our medical providers are happy to help you. Please text or call us at 44872 or at (772) 217-4557 and we’ll give you specific directions!

Placebo pills (often called “sugar pills”) contain iron and/or inactive ingredients, and serve as placeholder pills to help you remember to consistently take your birth control pills at the same time every day. We recommend that you take your birth control pills as prescribed at the same time every day for the best efficacy in pregnancy prevention.

If vomiting takes place more than 2 hours after taking the pill, you’re protected. You will need to use a backup method (condoms or abstinence) for 7 days if you vomited within 2 hours of taking the pill and/or have severe vomiting or diarrhea lasting 2 or more days.

Birth control medications should be stored at room temperature (up to 77 degrees F) in a cool, dry place away from light, heat, and humidity. During shipping and excursions, most birth control medications are stable in temps up to 86 degrees F. Keep your birth control out of the reach of children and pets.

Yes. Birth control that is expired, used, or no longer needed should be disposed of according to FDA guidelines; this includes pills and rings.

Pill: Mix pills with an unappealing substance, such as coffee grounds or cat litter. Put into a sealed container, such as a zipper storage bag, and place in trash.

NuvaRing®: Place the ring in its re-sealable foil pouch and dispose in trash. The ring should not be flushed down the toilet.

Active ingredients are the components of a medication that provide the therapeutic effect on the body, such as estrogen or progestin. Inactive ingredients are the non-medicinal part of a medication.

Let us know if you have an allergy to any prescription medications or a severe allergy (shortness of breath, itching, or swelling) to any food products. Our pharmacists will check if your allergy puts you at risk for a reaction to birth control or emergency contraception. Your safety is our highest priority!

When you sign up for Pill Club, you’ll fill out a questionnaire and supply information about the medication you’re taking. If you start any new medication, text us at 44872 or at (772) 217-4557 so we can update your profile. Our pharmacy team will check to see if there are any interactions.

"Fe" stands for iron, in the form of ferrous fumarate, which is commonly found in the placebo pills during the last week of a combined hormonal birth control pack. During menstruation, iron may help supplement red blood cells to deliver more oxygen to prevent fatigue and other menstrual symptoms. Let us know if you’re taking any vitamins or herbal supplements containing iron, and our pharmacists can counsel to make sure you’re not taking more than the recommended daily dose of iron.

Yes! Before switching to a new birth control option, please keep in mind that it can take some time for your body to adjust to the change in hormones. Our medical team suggests sticking to any new birth control for 2 to 3 months before making a change, unless you have intolerable side effects.

Combined hormonal pills contain synthetic versions of estrogen and progestin for pregnancy prevention and period regulation. Combined hormonal pill packs usually contain a week of placebo pills (different colored pills during the last week of the pack). Progestin-only pills (also known as POPs) only contain progestin, and do not contain a week of placebo pills. Additionally, POPs need to be taken at the exact same time every day, which differs from the combined hormonal pills. If taken correctly, both are equally effective at preventing pregnancy!

Progestin-only pills (also known as POPs) only contain progestin, and this may be a more appropriate option depending on a patient’s medical history. For example, some patients who are 35 years old and smoke are at a higher risk for a stroke or blood clot(s), so they may be prescribed POPs. POPs may also be a better option for those who are breastfeeding. Progestin-only packs do not contain placebo pills, and the full pack should be taken, unless otherwise directed. They also have more strict time requirements. POPs must be taken within 3 hours of the usual dose time, or it’s considered a missed dose. At that point, a backup form of pregnancy prevention, like a condom, is needed for 48 hours after the missed dose is taken.

Triphasic birth control pills contain 3 different doses of hormones, in which the hormone combination changes approximately every 7 days throughout the pill pack. In a single month’s supply, triphasic birth control pills may have a change in the amount of estrogen or progestin. This is meant to more naturally mimic your body’s menstrual cycle. Triphasic birth control pills are not meant for patients who would like to skip periods.

Please text or call us at 44872 or at (772) 217-4557 to update your phone number! You can also email us at support@thepillclub.com with your name and date of birth and we’d be happy to change it for you.

Please contact our patient care team at least 2 weeks before your vacation with the dates you will be travelling and where you will be during that time. You can text or call us at 44872 or at (772) 217-4557, and we’ll do our best to accommodate you!

If your prescription is covered by insurance, your delivery date depends on when your insurance allows us to process^ your next refill. We can reschedule your delivery for any date as long as your insurance approves it. Please be sure to let us know in advance if you need to postpone your delivery. If you’re a cash patient, you can change your next delivery date to be whenever you like! Please text us at 44872 or at (772) 217-4557.

We hate breakups, but we totally understand! We can cancel your care package deliveries and your account if you text us at 44872 or at (772) 217-4557.

Yes, we’re excited to have you back in the Club! Text us at 44872 or at (772) 217-4557 at any time to restart your account.

Some safer sex practices that should be used (in addition to hormonal birth control) to reduce chances of getting pregnant include barrier methods. Some common barrier methods include male (external) condoms, female (internal) condoms, and cervical caps. Please note that oral contraceptives and cervical caps help prevent pregnancy, whereas other barrier contraceptive methods help to prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and chances of getting pregnant.

Remember, the best time to talk about sex is BEFORE you start having it. Whether you plan to have oral, vaginal, or any type of intercourse, know it’s a discussion worth having with your partner. This might be an awkward conversation, but don’t worry, you should feel much better afterwards. We want you to be empowered to have open conversations and make informed decisions about your body and your health.

It’s a good idea for you and your partner to discuss any sexual activity that makes either of you uncomfortable or is off limits, your relevant sexual history (including STDs or STIs), the method(s) of birth control and/or protection against STDs/STIs that you’ll be using, and if you plan to have a monogamous relationship.

People can have an STD or STI and be unaware of it. This is why getting regularly tested is very important for your health. Only barrier methods such as the female (internal) condom and the male (external) condom can help to prevent an STD or STI when used correctly and consistently. If you have any questions about this topic, let us know; we’re here to help you out! Text us at 44872 or at (772) 217-4557.

If you miss a pill or more than one pill, there are specific directions on how to make up the missed dose(s), but it depends on what type of birth control pills you take. This information can be found on the package insert located inside your birth control package, but our medical providers are happy to help you. Please text or call us at 44872 or at (772) 217-4557 and we’ll give you specific directions!

Our nurse practitioners can prescribe birth control to you if it's been more than 6 weeks since you've given birth. Just let us know and we'll find you the best option for breastfeeding mothers and non-breastfeeding mothers!

If so, please use the link below to read our Pharmacy FAQ and learn more about our Patient Rights and Responsibilities.

Check out our All Access Guide for frequently asked questions and valuable patient education.