Posted on February 10, 2010.
Availability and cost of emergency contraception Availability and cost of emergency contraception
If you are over 17, you can buy emergency contraceptive pills from a pharmacist without prescription. This is also known as buying "on the counter. Patients under 17 require a prescription to buy morning-after pills, except in the states of California, Arkansas, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, New Mexico and Washington.
In Washington, a pharmacist can provide you with a prescription at the pharmacy itself. So you do not have to consult a doctor. Before going to buy the pill for you, call the pharmacy to make sure that if the pharmacist on duty can provide emergency contraceptive pills or not, and if they are in stock.
Four states in the country namely, Arkansas, South Dakota, Georgia and Mississippi pharmacists the choice of factor ECs.
The morning after pill price varies by region and pharmacy. Generally, they cost about $ 10 to $ 70 for those not covered by health insurance. For those who are covered by health insurance, the price is between $ 10 and $ 30.
More than 25 states in the plans of the American demand health insurance that includes prescription drugs involved in birth control and emergency contraception.
A visit to a doctor for a prescription can cost between $ 35 and $ 250. If you are under 17, you can reduce costs associated with the purchase of a morning after pill at seeking an order to advance the next time you visit your doctor.
Ask your doctor not to put a date on it and, since the requirements are valid for one year. You can fill yourself time when you need emergency contraception. This allows you to avoid special visits to the doctor for a prescription for emergency contraception and allows you to use the pill as soon as possible.
family planning clinics such as Planned Parenthood to use a sliding scale to determine the cost of their services. So, if you are uninsured or who have low income, you can get emergency contraceptive pills at a reduced rate or even free.
availability over the counter morning-after pills have been sought on the assumption that easy and wider availability of emergency pills birth control would lead to a drastic decrease in the rate of unwanted pregnancies and abortions.
However, critics of the availability of OTC say that this will lead to increased promiscuity and unprotected sex. They also fear that this will lead to an increase in the number of cases of sexual violence.