The Real Cost of Birth Control

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This article is massively outdated. Ortho Evra patch is about $100+ at the local pharmacy. Even when needed for conditions other than use as birth control insurance will still not cover it. It was just $50 about 2 years ago and now it's doubled in price. All of the brands are getting more expensive each year.

Marie of FL 6:44PM August 09, 2012

You forgot to include the cost of the doctor's visit in order to get the pills in the first place. Gynos in my area charge around $250 for a "new patient exam" and $75 for established patients.

Mary Ney of VA 12:56PM March 12, 2012

hmmm.....birth control pills are available at your local Wal-Mart for $9.00 / 28 day supply...thats what, about $117.00 per year...(without insurance) sounds very affordable...

teerover of AL 10:14AM March 08, 2012

the cheapest on both east or west coast I could find Nuvaring is $234 for 3 month supply ($936 a yr without the drs visit, with it $1536 per year)... without health ins. PLUS the cost of a dr visit every yr to get a rx for it. NC does NOT have planned parenthood for free annual paps, which run about $500 with labs... Southern California where Im from has state funded ways to get Nuvaring and other contraceptives for free... I love how people always offer an opinion or side of things when they dont have to deal with reality. There should be a federal program for low or no income LEGAL citizens who did NOT abuse their reproductive rights or are disabled to receive contraceptives so they do not become pregnant... pills dont always work for everyone... REALITY is there isnt a program and women are having to pay cash for everything... then when women stand up for other women to have rights to these services they are called derogatory names. Viagra is covered by medicaid... yet most women's health services are NOT! Here in NC PP is handing out IUD's without paps because most women cannot afford them. Its near impossible to get into the country health depts here as well.

Tattooed Babydoll of NC 5:34PM March 07, 2012

Are these prices based on contraceptives being covered by insurance, or out-of-pocket?

zgr of NC 9:16PM March 05, 2012

So why require- not allow, REQUIRE- health insurers to cover contraceptives?

Michael Ejercito of CA 9:28PM March 03, 2012

NFP is actually 99% efficient when used properly - and doesn't require a woman fill her body with synthetic hormones for extended periods of time. What is interesting is that Planned Parenthood lists its rate as significantly less than that - of course they do, they can't sell it and make money from it. Coincidence. I think not.

DB of TX 6:58PM February 16, 2012

All birth control is a winner, in that they are mere pennies compared to costs of maternity, pre/post natal care, and actual birth, which averages $10,000 per child, and that's not even counting the figure the article lists on the actual cost per year of a raising a child.

bardgal of CA 2:41PM February 13, 2012

I think your sources failed to account for the fact that HMOs can charge less if you mail order your birth control. My mom's HMO charges one copay for a 3 month supply. So for a name brand like Yaz you pay 60 a year, and for a generic it's a whole 20 dollars a year.
Unfortunately my HMO is not so kind...3 copays for a 3 month supply so there's no benefit to mail order except you don't have to remember to go to the pharmacy every month.

veronica of NH 9:40PM September 07, 2010

Dani,
The cost information comes from Planned Parenthood estimates and retailers' listed prices. Planned Parenthood lists the patch at $15 to $50. That is interested you say it is more expensive in your area. Thank you for the information.
Best,
Kimberly Palmer (author)

Kimberly Palmer of DC 10:09AM August 31, 2010