Key takeaways:
Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone) is a form of birth control that’s given as an injection once every 3 months (13 weeks). The cost of a brand-name Depo-Provera shot without insurance is $138.81 on average. This cost may vary based on your location and pharmacy.
Most insurance plans cover the Depo-Provera injection or its generic version at no cost. Check your plan’s formulary for more information.
If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you can save on the cost of Depo-Provera by opting for the lower-cost generic, using a free GoodRx coupon, or seeking care at a low- or no-cost health clinic.
Save on related medications
Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone) is an injection that prevents pregnancy. It’s often referred to as the Depo shot or birth control shot. Depo-Provera is considered one of the most affordable forms of birth control. That’s because you need an injection only once every 3 months (13 weeks) — that’s just 4 times per year. But what’s the cost of a Depo-Provera shot without insurance?
Let’s review how much Depo-Provera costs along with ways to save on your prescription.
How much does Depo-Provera cost without insurance?
The average cash price of a single Depo-Provera shot is $138.81 without insurance. Depo-Provera also comes as a lower-cost generic injection. The cost of a generic medroxyprogesterone shot without insurance is $55.20 on average.
Depo-SubQ Provera is a different form of the medication that’s injected under the skin rather than into a muscle. The average cash price of a Depo-SubQ Provera injection is $167.94. There isn’t a lower-cost generic for this dosage form.
Keep in mind that you’ll need to receive the Depo-Provera injection in a medical office. And in most cases, you’ll need an exam before your first shot. This may have an additional cost, so it’s a good idea to ask about this in advance, especially if you don’t have insurance.
Your costs may be lower if you receive Depo-Provera at a safety-net clinic such as Planned Parenthood. These clinics participate in the federal Title X Family Planning Program, which enables them to provide low-cost or free contraceptives.
Which factors affect the cost of Depo-Provera?
Several factors can affect the cost of the Depo-Provera injection.
Generic availability
Brand-name medications usually cost more than their generic versions if one is available. Depo-Provera is available as a lower-cost generic medroxyprogesterone injection. Filling your prescription for the generic version can help you save on the cost of your medication.
Since Depo-SubQ Provera doesn’t have a lower-cost generic, switching to the standard form of Depo-Provera could help you save on the cost of your injection.
Location
Your out-of-pocket medication costs can vary based on where you live. For example, according to GoodRx research, prescription medications often cost more in New York and New Orleans than in Denver and Houston.
Pharmacy
The cash price of a Depo-Provera shot can vary depending on the pharmacy that fills your prescription. The cost can be different even in the same neighborhood. You can use GoodRx to compare prices in your area to find the most affordable location.
Insurance coverage
Most insurance plans cover birth control medications at no cost thanks to Affordable Care Act (ACA) regulations. But your cost may vary based on your plan’s formulary, as well as any copay, deductible, or coinsurance fees involved.
If you or your prescriber prefers brand-name Depo-Provera over the generic, your insurance plan may require additional steps before it will cover the medication. This can include prior authorization or step therapy.
What to do if Depo-Provera isn’t covered by your insurance
Here are a few options to try if your insurance doesn’t cover Depo-Provera:
Talk to your prescriber about switching to the generic medroxyprogesterone injection or a Depo-Provera alternative, such as birth control pills or patches.
Ask for a formulary exception from your prescription medication plan.
If a formulary exception is denied, file an appeal with your plan.
Look into savings opportunities (more on that next).
Ways to save on the cost of Depo-Provera
There are several ways to save on the cost of a Depo-Provera injection.
1. Use a GoodRx coupon
With a GoodRx coupon, you may be able to pay a lower price for your Depo-Provera prescription. Brand-name Depo-Provera may cost as little as $63.30 per dose at certain pharmacies with a GoodRx coupon. The cost of a generic medroxyprogesterone injection is as low as $34.14 with GoodRx.
With a free coupon, you can pay as little as $63.62 for Depo-SubQ Provera at certain pharmacies through GoodRx.
Here’s how to get a coupon:
Visit www.goodrx.com, or install the GoodRx app on your mobile device.
Type “Depo-Provera” or “Depo-SubQ Provera” in the search field.
Choose brand or generic, quantity, and location.
Click or tap on “start saving” to find prices at pharmacies near you.
Choose to receive your coupon via text or email, or print it out.
Give your pharmacy the coupon information before picking up your medication. This can help prevent delays at the pick-up counter.
You can access discounted prescription medications with a GoodRx Companion subscription. Over 200 medications are available for free, with hundreds more under $10. The program also includes benefits to help you cut your self-pay costs, such as lower prices for telehealth, discounts on dental care, and other health services.
2. Seek care at a free or low-cost clinic
Several types of care centers may offer free or low-cost birth control. These include:
Planned Parenthood
Federally qualified health centers, such as your local health department
Campus healthcare (if you’re a current college student)
3. Tap into your HSA, FSA, or HRA
If you have a health savings account (HSA), a flexible spending account (FSA), or a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), you can use it to pay out-of-pocket costs for Depo-Provera. These accounts let you pay for eligible healthcare expenses with tax-free dollars.
Pay directly with your HSA or FSA card at the pharmacy, or cover the cost yourself and get reimbursed. The funds in HSAs and some HRAs roll over annually, but you have to use FSA dollars before the plan’s deadline or they’ll expire.
Frequently asked questions
Each Depo-Provera injection lasts 3 months (13 weeks). You need to receive an injection every 3 months for the shot to work effectively for birth control.
The Depo-Provera injection isn’t recommended if you:
Have a history of blood clots
Have a history of breast cancer
Are living with liver problems
Experience vaginal bleeding without a known cause
Are considered at high risk for developing osteoporosis (weakened bones)
Are allergic to any of the ingredients in the injection
Talk with your healthcare team about your individual risks before receiving your first Depo-Provera injection.
Each Depo-Provera injection lasts 3 months (13 weeks). You need to receive an injection every 3 months for the shot to work effectively for birth control.
The Depo-Provera injection isn’t recommended if you:
Have a history of blood clots
Have a history of breast cancer
Are living with liver problems
Experience vaginal bleeding without a known cause
Are considered at high risk for developing osteoporosis (weakened bones)
Are allergic to any of the ingredients in the injection
Talk with your healthcare team about your individual risks before receiving your first Depo-Provera injection.
The bottom line
Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone) is a form of birth control that’s given as an injection once every 3 months (13 weeks). The cost of a brand-name Depo-Provera shot without insurance is $138.81 on average. This cost may vary based on your location and pharmacy.
Most insurance companies cover the Depo-Provera or its generic version at no cost. If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you can save on the cost of Depo-Provera by asking your prescriber for the lower-cost generic. You can also reduce your out-of-pocket cost with a free GoodRx coupon or by seeking care at a low or no-cost health clinic.
Why trust our experts?
References
America’s Essential Hospitals. (2026). Our members.
Congress.gov. (2025). Title X Family Planning Program. Congressional Research Service.
HRSA Data Warehouse. (n.d.). Find a health center. Health Resources & Services Administration.
KFF. (2024). DMPA contraceptive injection: Use and coverage.
National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics. (n.d.). Find a clinic.
Pharmacia & Upjohn. (2025). Depo-Provera- medroxyprogesterone acetate injection, suspension [package insert].Planned Parenthood. (n.d.). How much does the birth control shot cost?
