How Much Does Opill, the Over-the-Counter Birth Control Pill, Actually Cost?
The first over-the-counter (OTC) birth control pill was approved last year . It’s called Opill, and over the last month or so it’s finally starting to hit drugstore shelves. I can finally answer those questions everyone asked when it was first approved: How much does it actually cost? And will insurance cover this?
What is the price of the Opill sticker?
The price you’ll see on almost every website for Opill is $19.99 per pack. (This is sometimes called a “monthly” pack, but each pack contains only 28 tablets; as is typical with birth control. You’ll need about 13 packs per year.)
Some sellers have individual packs a little cheaper. Right now, Amazon and Walmart charge $18.97, saving you about a dollar.
Is it possible to get Opill at a discount?
You can save a few dollars by purchasing two or three packs at a time. The sticker price for a three-month pack of Opill is $49.99, or $16.66 per pack.
If you are uninsured, live in the U.S., and have a household income below 200% of the federal poverty line, you are eligible for Perrigo’s cost assistance program, the maker of Opill, which will provide medications at “reduced or no cost.” expenses.” To learn more and register, visit the financial aid program page here .
Will insurance cover Opilla?
May be! In general, the Affordable Care Act requires health plans to cover birth control pills as a form of preventive care. The law does not specifically require them to cover this brand of pills or over-the-counter pills, so they are not automatically included.
However, if your insurance uses CVS Caremark for its pharmacy benefits, you’ll be glad to know that CVS has included Opill in its list of free birth control options . Contact your insurance company for details about your coverage.
Several states have also passed laws requiring over-the-counter birth control to be covered by insurance, although the details vary by state. The Kaiser Family Foundation has a summary of state laws here . California, Colorado, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York and Washington have state laws that could theoretically apply to Opill. Again, check with your insurance company to find out what coverage is available to you.