Implanon and Nexplanon Costs Without Insurance

Implanon and Nexplanon are common contraceptive implants that provide long-term birth control for up to three years. Without insurance, however, these options come with considerable out-of-pocket costs.

Implanon can cost between $600 and $850 for initial insertion, with an additional $300 to $500 for removal. Nexplanon costs around $1,030.64 for the implant, with added expenses for insertion, removal, and office visits.

In this article, we will discuss these costs, including specific prices across various clinics and assistance options for uninsured individuals.

Implanon Implant Cost

Source: Cleveland Clinic

Implanon is a small hormonal implant designed to prevent pregnancy. Without insurance, a significant initial investment and future removal fees are required.

• Exam and Implantation Costs: Implanon insertion costs between $600 and $850 for patients without insurance. This fee generally covers both the initial exam and the implant procedure.
• Removal Procedure Cost: Implanon removal costs typically range from $300 to $500, depending on the provider and location. This is an additional expense when patients decide to discontinue use or switch contraceptive methods.

Nexplanon Implant Cost

Nexplanon, a radiopaque contraceptive implant, has its own set of expenses, including retail price, insertion fees, and removal costs.

• Implant Retail Price Without Insurance: Nexplanon’s listing price is around $1,030.64, covering only the implant itself, with other fees not included.
• Insertion and Removal Costs Across Clinics: Insertion and removal costs for Nexplanon vary widely depending on the clinic. On average, insertion costs $181.25, while removal averages $150.

Here are the specific clinic costs for insertion and removal across selected locations in the US.

Clinic: Atlanta Midtown Gynecology

Location: Atlanta, GA
Insertion Cost: $175

Removal Cost: $175

Clinic: Helen E. Rhodes MD Office

Location: Webster, TX
Insertion Cost: $150

Removal Cost: $75

Clinic: Denver Family Medicine

Location: Denver, CO
Insertion Cost: $200

Removal Cost: $150

Clinic: CityWorld Family Clinic

Location: Clinton, MD
Insertion Cost: $200

Removal Cost: $200

Clinic: Helen E. Rhodes MD Office

Location: Denver, CO
Insertion Cost: $150

Removal Cost: $75

Factors Influencing Implanon and Nexplanon Costs

Several factors impact the overall expense of these implants, with uninsured patients experiencing significant variability based on provider and geographic location.

1. Provider and Location: Prices can differ based on the clinic and location. For example, clinics in major cities or those specializing in gynecology often charge more than general family practices in smaller areas.
2. Additional Medical Fees: Uninsured patients also face charges for office visits. These fees vary and are charged separately from the insertion or removal procedures.

Discounts and Financial Assistance Options

Discounts and assistance programs are available to help reduce costs for uninsured patients.

Sliding Scale Services at Planned Parenthood

Planned Parenthood offers income-based, sliding-scale pricing for contraceptive services, including Implanon and Nexplanon implants. This program adjusts costs according to the patient’s financial situation, allowing low-income and uninsured patients to access reduced rates.

For example, uninsured individuals who fall within specific income brackets may qualify to receive these implants at a significantly lower cost, sometimes paying only a minimal fee or no cost if they meet specific income eligibility requirements.

Discount Programs and Copay Assistance

Nexplanon users may benefit from copay assistance programs and discount cards, which can significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses for eligible patients. These programs generally require applicants to meet specific income or medical eligibility criteria.

For example, Merck's patient assistance guidelines for similar programs indicate that individuals with a household income of $75,300 or less (for single individuals) might qualify, with higher thresholds for larger families, such as $156,000 for a family of four.

Eligibility may also be determined by whether the applicant has any other insurance coverage, including government programs like Medicaid, and requires that a healthcare provider deems the implant medically necessary.

OB/GYN Office Visit Costs

Office visits are typically required before implant insertion and may apply during removal. For uninsured individuals, OB/GYN visits add an extra cost, ranging between $96.25 and $207.25 per visit. These fees are separate from the cost of the implant and procedure.

Wrap Up

Uninsured patients face high costs for Implanon and Nexplanon. Implanon typically costs $600 to $850 for insertion and $300 to $500 for removal. Nexplanon is $1,030.64, with an average insertion fee of $181.25 and a removal cost of $150. OB/GYN visits add $96.25 to $207.25 to the overall expenses.

Assistance programs, such as sliding-scale fees at Planned Parenthood and Nexplanon copay discounts, are available for those who qualify. Exploring these options can help uninsured individuals reduce out-of-pocket expenses for these contraceptive implants.

Frequently Asked Question

What is Implanon and how does it work?

Implanon is a small, plastic birth control implant inserted under the skin of the upper arm. It releases the hormone progestin to prevent pregnancy for up to three years.

How much does Implanon cost without insurance?

Without insurance, Implanon costs around $600 to $850 for insertion, plus $300 to $500 for removal.

Does insurance cover the cost of Implanon?

Many insurance plans cover part or all of Implanon’s costs. Planned Parenthood may also offer sliding scale options for those without insurance.

What are the main differences between Implanon and Nexplanon?

Nexplanon is radiopaque, making it visible in imaging scans, and has an updated applicator for faster insertion.

How effective is Implanon at preventing pregnancy?

Implanon is 99.9% effective when properly inserted, significantly reducing the chances of pregnancy.

What are common side effects of using Implanon?

Common side effects include irregular bleeding, headaches, mood changes, weight gain, and skin changes.