Whether you're taking birth control pills as a contraceptive, to clear up problem skin or to help treat painful periods, the costs can add up. Not all health insurance plans cover birth control pills, and some of those that do cover it only cover a portion of the cost. If you don't have any insurance at all, the price of birth control pills may be a serious barrier to responsible family planning. Fortunately, there are a number of steps you can take to help you get birth control pills at a reasonable price, even without health insurance.
Step 1
Make an appointment at your local Planned Parenthood health center or another community health center that offers health care on a sliding fee scale. This type of center is usually your least-expensive option for getting the necessary examination and prescription in order to purchase birth control pills.
Step 2
Inquire about government-funded health programs, like Medicaid, which might cover at least some of the cost of birth control pills. Planned Parenthood and HRSA are usually the best sources of information on these programs.
Step 3
Tell the doctor or nurse practitioner who's doing your exam that you don't have health insurance. Ask if he might be able to provide a few months worth of pill samples to get you started. He or she may also be able to prescribe a generic brand of birth control pill as opposed to a name brand, which usually cuts the cost of the prescription quite a bit. In some cases you may be able to purchase the birth control pills directly through the health center at a reduced price.
Step 4
Ask your doctor to prescribe a birth control pill that's available at Wal-Mart, Sam's Club and Neighborhood Market pharmacies under the $4 prescription plan.
