How much does online birth control cost per month without insurance?

It's great you're exploring online options for birth control! It can be a very convenient and affordable way to get your prescription without insurance.

Generally, you can expect to pay anywhere from $15 to $45 per month for online birth control without insurance, depending on the service, the specific type of birth control (generic vs. brand name), and what fees are included.

Here's a breakdown of the costs and some popular services:

Two Main Cost Components:

1. Consultation/Prescription Fee: This is what you pay for a licensed healthcare provider to review your health information, write the prescription, and provide ongoing care. This might be a one-time fee, an annual fee, or a monthly service fee.
2. Medication Cost: This is the actual cost of the birth control pills, patch, or ring. Generic options are almost always significantly cheaper than brand names.

Specific Online Providers and Their Estimated Costs:

Most of these services include both the consultation and the medication delivered to your door.

1. Nurx:

   • Cost: Often around $15-$30 per month for generics, plus a $15 monthly service fee (which covers the consultation and unlimited messaging with their medical team).
   • Why it's good: Offers a wide variety of birth control methods (pills, patch, ring, shot refills), emergency contraception, and delivers discreetly. They have many low-cost generic options.

2. Wisp:

   • Cost: Generics start around $14-$20 per month for the medication. There's often a separate, one-time $15 consultation fee for a new prescription.
   • Why it's good: Specializes in sexual and reproductive health, offers low-cost generic birth control pills, and delivers quickly.

3. Hers (Hims & Hers):

   • Cost: Generics often start around $12-$20 per month for the medication, which usually includes the consultation fee bundled in.
   • Why it's good: Offers a straightforward subscription model with affordable generic birth control options and convenient delivery.

4. Lola:

   • Cost: Their birth control service typically costs around $15 for the consultation and then $15-$25 per month for generic birth control pills.
   • Why it's good: Known for their focus on natural and organic products, they've expanded to offer accessible birth control with online consultations.

5. Planned Parenthood Direct:

   • Cost: This can vary significantly by state, but often generic birth control is available for $15-$25 per month. Consultation fees might be low or even waived based on income.
   • Why it's good: A trusted name in reproductive health, offering virtual consultations and prescriptions in many states. If you're looking for affordable care from a non-profit, this is a strong option.

Important Considerations and Tips:

• Generic vs. Brand Name: Always opt for generic birth control if cost is a concern. They have the same active ingredients and effectiveness as their brand-name counterparts but are significantly cheaper.
• Initial Consultation Fees: Some services charge a separate, one-time fee for your initial consultation, while others bundle it into a monthly subscription or annual fee. Factor this into your first month's cost.
• Shipping Costs: Most online birth control services include shipping in their monthly price, but always double-check.
• Promotions: Many services offer introductory discounts, like your first month free or a reduced consultation fee, so look out for those!
• "Pick Up at Pharmacy" Option: Some telehealth platforms (like Amwell, K Health, or MDLive) can give you a prescription for a one-time fee (e.g., $30-$79) that you then fill at a local pharmacy. If you go this route, use GoodRx or other pharmacy discount cards. Generics with GoodRx can sometimes be as low as $9-$25 per month at pharmacies like Walmart, Kroger, or Costco.

To get the most accurate current pricing, it's best to visit the specific websites of Nurx, Wisp, Hers, Lola, or Planned Parenthood Direct and go through their intake process to see the exact costs for your state and preferred birth control method.