How much is an IUD without insurance?
What an IUD is
An IUD, short for intrauterine device, is a small device that a doctor places in the uterus to prevent pregnancy. The uterus is the organ where a baby grows. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, says a doctor inserts both types of IUD.
General information is all this page offers, and a doctor, a nurse or a pharmacist can help you choose the method that fits you.
Why we do not give one price for an IUD
We looked for a current national price for an IUD from a government agency, a research group or a health system. We did not find one we could trust. Older news stories and many websites quote numbers, but they do not tell us where the numbers come from or what year they are from.
A single number would also hide what you are really paying for, because the same sticker price can mean very different things at two clinics. This is why we focus on the questions to ask. Our guide on birth control without insurance covers all methods and the clinics that charge by income, while this page stays with the IUD itself.
The two types and how long each lasts
The CDC describes two types of IUD. The difference between them matters for your cost.
- A hormonal IUD releases a small amount of a hormone called levonorgestrel. The CDC says it lasts up to 3 to 8 years, depending on the device. Its typical use failure rate is 0.1 to 0.4 percent.
- A copper IUD has no hormone in it. The CDC says it lasts up to 10 years, and its typical use failure rate is 0.8 percent.
Typical use failure rate means the share of people who become pregnant in a year when the method is used in everyday life. A lower number means the method works better. We cannot tell you which type is right for you, but a doctor can talk it over based on your health and your plans.
The length of time matters for your budget, because a device that lasts longer spreads its price over more years. Ask the clinic which device it would use and how many years that device is approved for. Then you can compare prices on a fair basis, which is the total price divided by the number of years the device stays in place. This math only works if you keep the device that long, so ask what early removal would cost. Do the math with the real quote in your hand, since we do not know your price.
What a clinic may bill for
The device is only one line on the bill. When you call, ask whether the quote covers each piece below.
- The device itself, which differs by type and by maker.
- A visit before placement to talk it over and to check that an IUD is a good fit.
- A pregnancy test, which clinics often do before placement, and any other lab test the clinician orders.
- The placement visit, with the clinician's fee for putting the device in.
- A follow-up visit afterward, in case you have questions or the clinician wants to check the placement.
- Removal later on, which may be billed as a visit and is a cost you should ask about now.
Some clinics give one price for several pieces and some bill each piece. Ask for the self-pay price in writing, and have the clinic list what it includes. For the words to use on the phone, see our guide on asking for the cash price.
Questions that protect you from surprise charges
A few extra questions can keep the total from growing after you leave.
- Ask what happens if the device must be removed or replaced early, and whether that visit costs extra.
- Ask whether the first follow-up visit is included.
- Ask who will place the device and whether a second clinician or a facility fee is added.
- Ask whether there is a discount for paying on the day or a payment plan.
- Ask what the clinic suggests if you cannot afford the whole price at once.
If you schedule the visit ahead of time, you may also ask for a written estimate. Our guide on the good faith estimate explains how.
Write down each quote on a sheet of paper with the same four lines. The first line is the device price, and the second is the visit fees for placement and the follow-up. The third line holds any lab fees, and the fourth line is the cost of removal later.
Add the four lines for each clinic and then divide by the number of years its device lasts. A quote that looks low can cost more per year if the device is approved for fewer years. A quote that looks high can cost less per year if the device lasts longer. Only the clinic can tell you which device it would use, so ask first.
If one clinic will not list the pieces, you can ask again or call another place. A clear written quote is a fair thing to expect.
Where to look for a lower price
Clinics that charge by income are the first place to ask. A community health center adjusts its fees by income and family size, and it serves everyone even if they cannot pay. We could not confirm that every center places IUDs, so ask what they offer. You can read more in our guide on community health centers.
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat membership fee, usually $50 to $200 a month. Some of these doctors place IUDs and some refer you out, so ask before you join. A membership is not insurance, so the device is a separate cost unless the practice says otherwise. To find one, search for a cash-pay doctor near you.
If you have a problem or an emergency
If you have severe pain, heavy bleeding, a fever or any other emergency after a procedure, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Federal law requires an emergency room to examine you, with or without insurance. For anything that is not an emergency, call the clinic that placed the device and ask what to do.
Please do not skip a follow-up visit because of cost. If a price is too high, talk with the clinic about a payment plan or a lower self-pay price.
Common questions
How much is an IUD without insurance?
We could not find a trusted national price, so we do not give one. The price depends on the type of IUD, the clinic and what the quote includes. A written self-pay price that lists every part is the best way to compare.
Is an IUD cheaper in the long run?
It can be, because one device stays in place for years. The CDC says a hormonal IUD lasts up to 3 to 8 years and a copper IUD up to 10 years. Divide the real quote by the number of years to compare it with other methods.
Does the quote include removal?
A quoted price may leave out removal. The clinic can tell you if removal is included or billed as a later visit, and you should get that answer in writing.
Who places an IUD?
The CDC says a doctor inserts both types. At the office you call, find out who will do it and whether the clinician's fee is part of the quote.
Can I get an IUD at a low price if I have a low income?
Some clinics charge by income, such as community health centers and certain family planning clinics. Call first to confirm that the clinic places IUDs and what it charges. Our guide on birth control without insurance explains how family planning clinics set fees.
This guide is general information, not medical, legal or tax advice. If you have a medical emergency, call 911.