Plan B One-Step and its generic versions typically cost between $40 and $50 at most pharmacies and drugstores. You can buy them over the counter without a prescription or ID, regardless of your age. The price can vary depending on the store, the brand, and whether you use a prescription discount card.
What Is the Typical Price of Plan B at Pharmacies?
Most major retail pharmacies sell Plan B One-Step for around $49.99. Generic versions, which contain the same active ingredient and dose, usually cost between $35 and $45.
Prices are not regulated. One store may charge $50 while another charges $38 for the exact same product. You can compare prices by calling ahead or checking pharmacy websites before you go.
Some stores keep emergency contraception behind the counter. You still do not need a prescription, but you may need to ask a pharmacist for it. This is a security measure, not a legal requirement.
What Is the Active Ingredient and How Does It Work?
Plan B contains 1.5 milligrams of levonorgestrel, a synthetic form of the hormone progesterone. This is a single, higher dose of the same hormone found in many birth control pills.
Levonorgestrel emergency contraception works primarily by delaying ovulation. If ovulation has already occurred, the pill does not work. It does not end an existing pregnancy, and it is not the same as the abortion pill (mifepristone).
Timing matters. The pill is most effective when taken within 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected sex. Effectiveness decreases as time passes. Some research suggests it may still have some effect up to 5 days after, but the evidence is strongest for the first 3 days.
Where Can You Buy Plan B for Less?
Warehouse clubs like Costco sell Plan B and generics at lower prices. You do not need a Costco membership to use the pharmacy, thanks to federal pharmacy access laws. Call your local store to confirm their policy.
Online retailers often sell generic levonorgestrel for $20 to $30. Shipping takes a few days, so this only works if you are not in a time-sensitive situation. Some online pharmacies offer overnight shipping for an extra fee.
Family planning clinics such as Planned Parenthood often sell emergency contraception at reduced cost. Some state and local health departments offer it for free or at a sliding scale based on income.
Prescription discount programs like GoodRx can bring the price down to around $20 to $30 at participating pharmacies. These coupons work even though you do not need a prescription — just ask the pharmacist to process it.
Does Insurance Cover Plan B?
Many insurance plans cover emergency contraception at no cost, but not always. The Affordable Care Act requires most private insurance plans to cover FDA-approved contraceptive methods, including emergency contraception, without a copay. However, some plans only cover it with a prescription, even though it is available over the counter.
If you have insurance, ask your pharmacist to run it through your insurance. If the claim is denied, ask your insurance company why. Some plans require a prescription from a doctor before they will pay.
Medicaid covers emergency contraception in most states. If you are on Medicaid, you can usually get Plan B for free with a prescription from a provider.
What Is the Difference Between Plan B and Other Emergency Contraception?
Plan B is one of several emergency contraception options. The main alternatives are ella (ulipristal acetate) and the copper IUD (Paragard).
Ella requires a prescription and typically costs between $50 and $100 without insurance. It is effective up to 5 days after unprotected sex and may work better than Plan B for people who weigh more than 165 pounds.
The copper IUD is the most effective form of emergency contraception. Inserted within 5 days, it prevents pregnancy more than 99% of the time. It costs between $0 and $1,300, but most insurance plans cover it fully. It also provides ongoing birth control for up to 10 to 12 years.
Plan B and other levonorgestrel pills are less effective for people who weigh more than 165 pounds. They are not recommended for people over 175 pounds. Ella is recommended for people up to 195 pounds. The copper IUD has no weight limit for effectiveness.
Are Generic Versions as Effective as Name-Brand Plan B?
Yes. Generic levonorgestrel pills contain the same active ingredient in the same dose as Plan B One-Step. The FDA requires generic drugs to be bioequivalent, meaning they work the same way in the body.
The main difference is price. Generic versions are often $10 to $15 cheaper. Some generics come in a two-pill pack that requires taking both pills at the same time. Read the label carefully — some older formulations require two doses 12 hours apart, but most current generics are a single pill.
How Much Do Plan B Pills Cost at Different Retailers?
| Retailer or Source | Typical Price Range |
|---|---|
| Major pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid) | $40–$50 |
| Generic versions at most pharmacies | $35–$45 |
| Costco pharmacy | $20–$35 |
| Online retailers | $20–$30 plus shipping |
| Planned Parenthood or health clinics | $0–$40, sliding scale |
| With prescription discount card | $20–$35 |
These are typical ranges, not guarantees. Prices change and vary by location. Always call ahead to confirm.
Can You Get Plan B for Free?
Yes, in some situations. Many family planning clinics receive funding to provide emergency contraception at no cost. Some state programs cover it for uninsured residents.
If you are on Medicaid, the cost is covered in most states. You may need a prescription from a doctor or clinic for the pharmacy to bill Medicaid.
Some college campus health centers provide free emergency contraception. Military pharmacies also provide it at no cost to service members and their dependents.
Does Age Affect the Price?
No. There is no age-based pricing. Plan B and its generics are available to people of any age without a prescription, following a 2013 FDA ruling that removed the age restriction.
Before 2013, people under 17 needed a prescription. That is no longer the case. No store can legally require ID or proof of age to sell emergency contraception.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much are Plan B pills at CVS or Walgreens?
Plan B One-Step typically costs about $49.99 at CVS and Walgreens. Generic versions usually cost between $35 and $45 at these same stores.
Is Plan B cheaper with a prescription?
Sometimes. If your insurance covers emergency contraception, a prescription can make it free or reduce the cost to a small copay. Without insurance, a prescription discount card can lower the price to around $20 to $30.
Does Plan B expire?
Yes. Plan B has an expiration date printed on the package, usually about 4 years after manufacturing. An expired pill may be less effective, so check the date before relying on it.
Can I buy Plan B online for less?
Yes, online retailers often sell generic levonorgestrel for $20 to $30. Shipping takes a few days, so this is only practical if you are not in a time-sensitive situation.
