Can You Get Free Birth Control At Health Department?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Some health departments offer free condoms and other types of to teens

. Family planning (or reproductive health) clinics. Call your local clinic and ask if they provide reduced-cost or free birth control.

How much is birth control out of pocket?

Birth control pills cost

between $0–$50 a month

. They can be totally free with most health insurance plans, or if you qualify for some government programs. You can get a prescription for the birth control pill from a doctor or nurse at a doctor's office, health clinic, or your local Planned Parenthood health center.

Is birth control still free 2021?

Insurers sometimes don't cover certain contraceptive methods for free, though they are supposed to cover most by law. Even for long-established methods, like IUDs, insurers sometimes make it hard for women to get coverage by requiring preapproval.

Is birth control still free?

Because of the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare),

most insurance plans must cover all methods of birth control at no cost to you, including the pill

. However, some plans only cover certain brands of pills or generic versions. Your health insurance provider can tell you which types of birth control they pay for.

Why Should birth control Be Free?

The study results suggest that free, reliable birth control

reduced unintended pregnancies

, the authors note. About half of all pregnancies in the population at large are unintended, and birth rates from unintended pregnancies are much higher among low-income women than other income groups.

What is the cheapest birth control pill?

The most popular pill is

Sprintec

, a generic drug of Ortho-Cyclen. Sprintec also happens to be the cheapest drug on the most-filled list at $22. In fact, most of the top-filled birth control pills are generic, likely due to the cost-savings of generics over brands.

Is birth control covered by health insurance?


Plans in the Health Insurance Marketplace® must cover contraceptive methods and counseling for all women, as prescribed by a health care provider

. Plans must cover these services without charging a copayment or coinsurance when provided by an in-network provider — even if you haven't met your deductible.

Why is my birth control not covered by my insurance?

Prescription contraceptives are used exclusively by people with female reproductive systems. Failure to provide coverage for prescription contraceptive drugs and devices in health plans that otherwise cover prescription drugs violates the Civil Rights Act

because it singles out women

.

Is birth control free Affordable Care Act?

“Under the ACA,

any person with insurance has access to any FDA-approved birth control method with no copay or no deductible

,” explains Sophia Yen, MD, co-founder and CEO of birth control delivery service Pandia Health. In this case, no copay or deductible = free.

How do I ask my doctor for birth control?


Make an appointment with your general doctor or gynecologist

. Or you can go to your local Planned Parenthood (or student health center if your school has one). Don't be afraid to discuss birth control or sex with your doctor.

Do birth control pills make you thick?

There's been a lot of research on common birth control side effects. And studies show that the pill, the ring, the patch, and the IUD

don't make you gain weight or lose weight

.

Can I get birth control at Walgreens?


Most drugstores and grocery stores such as Walgreens, CVS, and Walmart offer OTC birth control in stores or online

. If you're looking for a particular brand and can't find it in the store, try the store's website where there's often a larger selection.

What is Phexxi?

Phexxi is

a new non-hormonal birth control method

. Phexxi is a prescription vaginal gel that prevents pregnancy.

Are condoms free?

Condoms are sold in lots of different stores, and

you can even get them for free from many health centers

. Boxes of 3 cost about $2 to $6. Condoms usually cost less than $1 each if you buy packs of 12 or more.

Why does birth control cost so much?

Prescription contraceptives–the pill, IUD and diaphragm–are by far the most expensive of the reversible methods because

they require medical supervision

, but supplies alone are also more expensive for prescription methods than for nonprescription methods.

How much is a Plan B?

How Much Does Plan B Cost? Plan B One-Step usually costs about

$40-$50

. Generics like Take Action, My Way, Option 2, Preventeza, My Choice, Aftera, and EContra generally cost less — about $11-$45. You can also order a generic brand called AfterPill online for $20 + $5 shipping.

Does Sprintec make you not have a period?

Sprintec can also change bleeding during your menstrual cycle, and

can even cause your period to stop altogether

(NIH, 2017). The estrogen in combined oral contraceptives like Sprintec may prevent spotting in between periods, but it isn't without its own side effects.

Why birth control should be covered by health insurance?

Coverage of over-the-counter contraceptive methods without need for a prescription has the potential to improve contraceptive use and, in turn,

reduce unintended pregnancy rates

, especially among women who lack the time to visit a health care provider, would need to arrange for child care or otherwise find it difficult …

Carlos Perez
Author
Carlos Perez
Carlos Perez is an education expert and teacher with over 20 years of experience working with youth. He holds a degree in education and has taught in both public and private schools, as well as in community-based organizations. Carlos is passionate about empowering young people and helping them reach their full potential through education and mentorship.