How Much Do Birth Control Pills Cost
According to KidsHealth.com, birth control pills are everyday pills that contain a combination of estrogen and progestin (synthetic progesterone) hormones. They are safe, effective, and are usually taken by women every day to prevent them from getting pregnant. Aide from the prevention of pregnancy, they are cases when these pills are prescribed to regulate menstrual cycles, alleviate the risks of anemia that comes with heavy periods, ease the pain of menstrual cramps, and treat other medical issues related to the reproductive system.
Costs of Birth Control Pills
Birth control pills may come in packs of 21 or 28 pills, which are good for one month. One pill is good for one day. On this note, how much do birth control pills cost?
Typically, the birth control pill price ranges from $5 to $50 or higher every month, depending on the type of pill you want to use, your location, and whether you pay with or without insurance. With this being said, how much does birth control cost without insurance? How about if it is paid with insurance?
Without Insurance
The cost of birth control pills without a health insurance coverage is around $20 to $50 for a one-month pack, which may vary according to the type of pill prescribed by the doctor to the patient, as well as, the brand of the pill.
With Insurance
The birth control pills cost with the coverage of health insurance may run from $5 to $40 for a pack good for one month. This is usually an out-of-pocket cost that comes with a prescription drug copay. Most of the time, the coverage of insurance plans offer the lowest amounts of copays on generic birth control pills, ranging from $5 to $15. Meanwhile, the non-preferred brands have higher copays, which may run from $30 to $40.
The Association of Reproductive Health Professionals said that the birth control pills are the most common contraceptives covered by health insurance plans, paying over 80 percent of the total birth control pill price. Furthermore, some states have made it mandatory for the insurance companies to cover the expenses of birth control pills. Apparently, the Kaiser Family Foundation has listed 33 states where birth control pills are being covered by health insurance plans.
Additional Expenses
Before you can purchase a pack of birth control pills, you have to get a prescription from the doctor first. Once you visit a doctor, you will undergo a pelvic examination and several tests to find out whether you have sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or not. Apparently, the doctor’s visitation and consultation have different prices since it is also covered by a health insurance.
If without the coverage of health insurance, then the cost of the doctor’s visit is around $35 to $200, increasing the total birth control pills cost. If there is a support of a health insurance plan, then the cost with copay may go from $10 to $30.
For the information of everyone, women, who have medical histories of blood clots, breast or uterine cancer, complications of the heart or liver, as well as, those who are overweight, over 35 years old and still smoking, are not recommended to take birth control pills. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has also listed some side effects of these oral contraceptives, and these are the following:
– changes in menstrual cycles
– mood swings
– dizziness
– nausea
– weight gain
– nausea
– blood clots
– high blood pressure
– heart attack
– stroke
Discounted Costs
If you wish to get a discounted birth control pill price, then you can purchase the pills at Planned Parenthood clinics where they offer them at $0 to $50 per month for qualified women. Health centers in most college institutions also provide discounted pills to enrolled students. Moreover, Kroger, Target, and Wal-Mart pharmacies offer selected generic pills for only $9 per month, but they are only limited, so be sure to get them as early as you can.
Benefits of Birth Control Pills
Now that we have already known the birth control pills cost, let us get to know what other benefits do these oral contraceptives provide.
First of all, there are two types of birth control pills being consumed – the combination pill that is basically a mix of estrogen and progestin hormones, and the mini pill, which only contains the progestin. Second, women takes these pills not only to prevent them from getting pregnant, but also get the following benefits:
– lessen the pain caused by menstrual cramps
– lighter menstrual periods
– prevention of pelvic inflammatory diseases that may cause infertility if not treated properly
However, combination pills offer more benefits than the mini pills. Apart from the aforementioned benefits, the former type provides protection against the following:
– acne formation
– thinning of the bones
– breast growths, which are not considered cancerous
– cancers of the endometrium (uterine lining) and ovaries
– ectopic pregnancy
– IDA (iron deficiency anemia)
– cyst formation in the ovaries and breasts
– complications in the uterus, tubes, and ovaries
– premenstrual symptoms such as depression and headaches
– heavy menstrual flow
– irregular monthly periods
So, if you are planning to take birth control pills, then make sure to consult your doctor first since they know what to give you. As much as possible, do not buy them on your own free will to avoid health problems caused by abrupt consumption of the oral contraceptives.
