How Much Does Nexplanon (Birth Control Implant) Cost Without Insurance in 2021?

Nexplanon is a long-term implant used to avoid pregnancy. Without insurance, Nexplanon costs about $1,030.64. This price will also be affected by the insertion and removal cost, as well as a standard OB/GYN office visit. 

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The Cost of Nexplanon

Nexplanon is a type of birth control for women. It is inserted in the arm and lasts up to three years. It is manufactured by Organon, who currently makes the only available form of the implant. The listing price on their website is $1,030.64, as of August 2021. This is the price it is sold to wholesalers or purchasers in the United States, and most likely does not reflect the out-of-pocket cost you will pay, which is ultimately determined by insurance. 

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) covers the cost of one type of birth control of any of the FDA-approved contraceptive methods. If you have insurance, no copay or coinsurance will be paid, even if your deductible hasn’t been met. Medicaid covers the cost of Nexplanon, but only 25 states have extended coverage to family planning services. Therefore, if you don’t have insurance, or qualify for Medicaid, you could face high costs, for a Nexplanon implant. 

Cost of Nexplanon Insertion Procedure at Various Clinics

The insertion of Nexplanon is a minor surgical procedure. Your doctor will insert the device into your non-dominant upper arm. You should be able to feel the rod under your skin after the procedure. It is typically inserted during the first five days of your period and begins working almost immediately. Your doctor will advise you to wear a bandage for about three to five days after the procedure. 

Additional Costs of Nexplnanon

In addition to the listing price of Nexplanon, you will likely incur additional out-of-pocket costs related to the insertion of the device, removal of the device, and the provider visit. These costs may also occur for people with insurance, as these services are not covered under the ACA. 

Nexplanon Insertion Procedure

We obtained information from four different clinics across the United States to determine additional costs you may incur when receiving a Nexplanon implant. On average, we found that it costs $181.25 to have the device inserted when paying out of pocket (on top of the price of Nexplanon). 

Nexplanon Removal Procedure

You will also need to pay for the removal of your Nexplanon device after three years (and the insertion of a new one, if you choose). We collected pricing information from the same clinics regarding the removal procedure of a Nexplanon implant. On average, we found that it costs $150 to have the device removed without insurance. 

Cost of Nexplanon Removal Procedure

Nexplanon can be removed at any point during the three-year time frame. To remove the device, a small incision is made on your arm where the implant is located. It is then gently removed and the incision is closed. You can become pregnant as soon as a week after getting your Nexplanon implant removed, so make sure to begin another form of birth control right away if you are looking to avoid pregnancy. 

OB/GYN Office Visit

We collected cost information regarding the initial office visit to the clinic. These procedures are typically done at an OB/GYN. This will be paid on top of both the insertion or removal procedure, as well as the actual implant. This cost can vary depending on if you are an established or new patient at the facility. On average, we determined that it costs between $96.25 and $207.25 without insurance for a clinic visit. 

Cost of OB/GYN Office Visit

Nexplanon Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

If you are considering birth control, you might have some questions and concerns about Nexplanon in particular. Below we outline the answer to frequently asked questions.

Is Nexplanon bad for you?

With most birth control methods, there are potential risks and side effects to using the birth control implant. Most commonly, women tend to experience changes in their menstrual bleeding, including spotting, longer/shorter bleeding during your period, and varying amounts of time between periods. Some women have also experienced weight gain, mood swings, acne, breast pain, and vaginitis. Everyone reacts differently, however, so there is no sure way to tell which, if any, side effects you will experience. 

Can you get pregnant while using a birth control implant?

Although highly unlikely, it is possible for a woman to become pregnant while using Nexplanon. Nexplanon has more than a 99 percent efficacy rate. This means that less than one out of every hundred women become pregnant each year when using Nexplanon.

Can Nexplanon move in your arm?

It is very rare, but there is a chance that Nexplanon can migrate from its original insertion site. Migration is defined as moving at least two centimeters or more from the original site. Moving in different directions can cause all different problems. It could lead to carpal tunnel syndrome or numbness in the arm. It is extremely dangerous if it enters the bloodstream since this could carry it into the lungs. You can regularly check your arm to make sure your Nexplanon implant has not moved. If you believe it has migrated, you should contact your doctor immediately. 

Are there alternatives to the birth control implant?

Yes, there are a number of other birth control options for women available. If you are looking to obtain birth control, you will most likely need to have a consultation with your doctor first. They will discuss all of the options available to you and determine which method is best suited for your lifestyle. Some other available options include:

• Birth control pills 
• Hormonal IUD
• Copper IUD
• NuvaRing
• Birth control patch
• Plan B (morning after pill)

Bottom Line 

Nexplanon is a birth control method that is implanted into the upper arm. The out-of-pocket cost of Nexplanon is retailed at $1,030.64. In addition to the implant, other costs will be incurred, including the insertion and removal procedures, as well as the provider visit. 

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