Cost is one of the biggest barriers to accessing effective hormonal birth control.  Due to restrictive formularies, cost affects women with and without health insurance. Fortunately, there are several ways to help your patients get effective birth control at an affordable price.

Many contraceptives (including progestin injections, IUDs and some birth control pills) are available at reduced or no cost through the manufacturers’ patient assistance programs.  Program eligibility requirements vary, but generally patients must be a US resident or citizen, have proof of income, meet income restrictions and be uninsured.

Some pharmacies provide birth control at a low-cost.  Kroger, Target, Walmart and Sam’s Club offer generic birth control pills for as little as $8-10/month.

Information on Pharmacies with low-cost birth control pills

Patient Assistance Programs:

• • Depo-Provera:
    • Pfizer Patient Assistant Program
• IUDs:
  • ARCH Foundation: Patient Assistance Program for Mirena IUD
  • Paragard IUD Patient Assistance Program
• Oral Contraceptive Pills
  • 340B Drug Pricing Program:  Birth control pills and Depo-Provera ordered through the 340B program can be as cheap as pennies for a month supply, if you keep an eye out for deals.

   

• • Rx Assist:  Database of patient assistant programs.  Search by medication or drug company.