Nexplanon (etonogestrel) is a brand-name birth control implant prescribed to help prevent pregnancy. The cost of the device with and without insurance can depend on several factors.
Nexplanon belongs to a drug class called progestins. Nexplanon is not available in a generic version.
Read on to learn about the Nexplanon implant and cost, as well as how to save money on prescriptions. If you’d like additional information about Nexplanon, refer to this article.
As with all medications, the cost of Nexplanon can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include:
- your treatment plan
- your insurance coverage
- the cost of the visit to your healthcare professional to have Nexplanon implanted
- whether Nexplanon has a savings program (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below)
To find out what the cost of Nexplanon will be for you, talk with your doctor or insurance provider.
Note: If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers Nexplanon. This means the company and your doctor will discuss Nexplanon in regard to your treatment. The insurance company will then determine whether the medication is covered. If a drug requires prior authorization but you start treatment without the prior approval, you could pay the full cost of the medication. You can ask your insurance company whether Nexplanon requires prior authorization.
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and Nexplanon.
What’s the cost for the removal of Nexplanon?
The cost of Nexplanon removal may depend on whether you have insurance coverage or are paying out of pocket for the removal procedure.
If you have insurance, your plan may cover the removal cost entirely, or you may have to pay a portion of the cost. This depends on your insurance plan coverage and benefits. Your insurance provider can tell you about the cost of removing Nexplanon.
However, if you’re paying out of pocket, you may have to pay for the entire procedure.
If you have questions about the cost of Nexplanon removal, talk with your insurance provider.
How much does Nexplanon cost with and without insurance?
The cost of Nexplanon with insurance depends on your plan coverage and benefits. Some plans may require prior authorization approval before covering Nexplanon. You may have a copay (your share of the cost) or have to pay a percentage of the total cost of Nexplanon.
The cost of the Nexplanon implant without insurance coverage may be higher than the cost with insurance.
If you’re eligible for any cost savings programs, this may lower the cost of Nexplanon.
Ask your doctor for more information about the cost of Nexplanon and any available savings options.
Nexplanon is only available as a brand-name implant. It doesn’t come in a generic version. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication.
Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.
WHY ARE COSTS DIFFERENT FOR BRAND-NAME DRUGS VS. GENERIC DRUGS?Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the research needed to test their safety and effectiveness. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell it for up to 20 years. When the brand-name drug’s patent expires, multiple manufacturers can create generic versions. This marketplace competition may lead to lower costs for generics. Also, because generics contain the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t require the same costly testing.
If you need financial support to pay for Nexplanon, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available. For example:
- Some websites provide details about drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services. Two such websites are:
You may be eligible for assistance with Nexplanon’s cost through the Affordable Care Act. Ask your doctor or insurance provider about the cost of Nexplanon for you.
To learn more about saving money on prescriptions with or without insurance, check out this article.
Now that you’ve learned about cost and Nexplanon, you may still have some questions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance about cost issues related to Nexplanon. However, if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you would pay for Nexplanon.
Here are some other resources you may find helpful:
- Medicare drug coverage. To learn about Medicare coverage for drugs, see these articles about Medicare prescription drug plans, drug coupons and Medicare, and the Medicare drug list.
- More details. For details about other aspects of Nexplanon, refer to this article.
- Dosage. Learn about Nexplanon and dosage by viewing this article.
- Side effects. For details about Nexplanon’s side effects, see this article. You can also look at the Nexplanon prescribing information.
- Information about preventing pregnancy. For more information about preventing pregnancy, see our hubs on women’s health and sexual health.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.