Thinking About Getting an IUD? Compare Costs and Side Effects of 6 Options

For one reason or another, you may be considering a longer-term option for birth control. Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are a type of long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC). They have a failure rate of less than 1%, and depending on the specific IUD, they can last between 3 to 10 years. 

According to data between 2017 and 2019, roughly 8% of women used an IUD to prevent pregnancy, while 14% took the birth control pill.

If you’re wondering about the cost of LARCs, like IUDs, here’s some good news: many insurance plans and government programs (like Medicaid) cover the costs of getting an IUD. Even if you don’t have insurance, there may still be ways to save.

Here’s a breakdown of the IUD options, including their costs. 

What is an IUD?

An IUD is a T-shaped device that a healthcare professional places (inserts) into your uterus (womb). IUDs generally work by preventing sperm from reaching and fertilizing an egg. They’re one of the most effective forms of birth control.

Compared to combination hormonal birth control pills, IUDs typically have very few contraindications (reasons to avoid using them). IUDs can often be used immediately after giving birth — even if you’re nursing. You can also use an IUD after a miscarriage or abortion. If you ever change your mind about having an IUD, you can get it removed at any time.

There are two main IUD types: hormonal and non-hormonal IUDs. Hormonal IUDs can help relieve pain and heavy bleeding from your menstrual periods, whereas copper IUDs don’t.

Different IUD options

There are six different IUDs approved for use in the U.S. Four of them contain hormones and vary slightly in terms of size and how much hormone (levonorgestrel) they contain. The other two IUDs don’t use hormones and instead use copper.

Here’s a comparison of the IUDs available (scroll right to view the full chart):

* Wholesale acquisition cost (WAC) is the estimated sticker (listed) price of an IUD from the manufacturer to wholesalers or direct purchasers (like healthcare professionals). It doesn’t include other costs like office visits or IUD insertion procedures.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Are IUDs safe for teens? Yes. In fact, IUDs are recommended by experts as one of the safest and most effective types of birth control. Find out why.

• Birth control pill alternatives: Long-acting methods like IUDs, implants, and more offer reliable protection without the hassle of remembering to take a daily pill.

• What does it feel like to get an IUD? Does it hurt? Three women describe their experience when they got their IUDs.

If you’re interested in getting an IUD, contact your women’s health or primary care provider. You can also visit a women’s health clinic or family planning center. They can advise you on next steps and brand availability.

How much does an IUD cost?

In general, the cost of an IUD without insurance can range from $500 to $1,800. At the time of publication, Mirena costs about $1,200 without insurance or if your plan doesn’t cover that brand. GoodRx coupons aren’t available for these devices.

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the cost of an IUD with insurance may be as low as zero out of pocket. That’s because the ACA requires health insurance plans to cover preventive care — like birth control, including IUDs — without cost sharing. This means you shouldn’t have a copay or coinsurance for any IUD covered by your plan, even if you haven’t met your deductible. 

But health insurance plans may not cover all IUD brands, so find out which ones your health plan covers. You can check your plan’s summary of benefits and coverage and formulary to determine this.

Using a 340B clinic is another option for free or low-cost IUDs. You can search for one on the National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association website. You can also use the Bedsider clinic locator to find other low-cost clinics. And Planned Parenthood may offer some assistance.

Associated IUD costs

An IUD is a medical device that must be placed inside your uterus by a healthcare professional. So, in addition to the device cost, you may also have costs associated with insertion. Here are some samples of cash-pay prices:

• Sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing before insertion: $0 to $250, though this may be free as a preventive service with insurance

• Pregnancy testing before insertion: $39 to $89, though this also may be free as a preventive service with insurance

• Insertion: $202

• Removal: $0 to $250

• Removal and new IUD insertion (often bundled): $649

You may not have to pay these costs depending on where you have your IUD inserted and removed, and whether you qualify for certain programs like family planning.

What if my insurance doesn’t cover the brand of IUD I want?

If your insurance doesn’t fully cover your IUD cost, the manufacturer Bayer has a copay savings program for Mirena and Kyleena. This could drop your out-of-pocket costs to as little as $20 for these devices. 

If you don’t have health insurance and meet certain income requirements, you may qualify for help from the Bayer US Patient Assistance Foundation for Mirena, Skyla, or Kyleena. Other manufacturers may have similar copay savings and patient assistance programs if you don’t have health insurance or are underinsured.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Ross Phan, PharmD, BCACP, BCGP, BCPS

Ross Phan is a board-certified clinical pharmacist. She has roughly two decades of healthcare experience — with most of her experience being pharmacy related.

Edited by:

Sophie Vergnaud, MD

Sophie Vergnaud, MD, is the Senior Medical Director for GoodRx Health. An experienced and dedicated pulmonologist and hospitalist, she spent a decade practicing and teaching clinical medicine at academic hospitals throughout London before transitioning to a career in health education and health technology.

Reviewed by:

Mandy Armitage, MD

Mandy Armitage, MD, has combined her interests in clinical medicine with her passion for education and content development for many years. She served as medical director for the health technology companies HealthLoop (now Get Well) and Doximity.

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