Original Medicare (parts A and B) doesn’t cover birth control for preventing pregnancy. Medicare Part D prescription drug plans and some Medicare Advantage plans offer some birth control coverage.

Medicare Part A covers inpatient care, like hospital stays, while Medicare Part B covers outpatient services like doctor visits and diagnostic tests.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandates Marketplace and Medicaid plans to cover birth control, but Medicare is exempt from this rule. Therefore, Original Medicare (Parts A and B) only covers birth control if medically necessary for other reasons, as most beneficiaries are over 65 and not of reproductive age.

If you need birth control for a reason that’s not medically necessary, you may benefit from additional coverage offered by some Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans. Read on to learn the criteria for qualifying for birth control coverage with Medicare.

The most commonly prescribed birth control medications and devices included:

Although Medicare Part B covers many forms of preventive care, such as health screenings and vaccines, pregnancy prevention isn’t included in this coverage.

That said, Part B may cover certain birth control methods when used to treat or manage other health conditions such as endometriosis, ovarian cysts, or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), for example. It may also cover gynecological procedures, such as a hysterectomy, when medically needed.

Medicare Part D

Medicare Part D prescription drug plans help pay for the cost of certain medications, such as the oral contraceptive pill, for example.

But, because private insurance companies offer these plans, the specific drugs they cover vary from plan to plan. Each plan has a formulary or list of the approved drugs covered by the plan.

Many Part D plans include birth control medications in their coverage, but you’ll need to check your plan’s formulary or talk with your insurance provider to be sure the birth control method you’re considering is covered under the plan.

It’s also important to understand your plan’s guidelines in advance. For example, some plans may require you to choose a generic medication if one is available or to use a pharmacy that’s part of your plan’s network.

Medicare Advantage

Medicare Advantage (Part C) is private insurance you can buy instead of enrolling in Original Medicare. These plans must include only the same basic coverage as Original Medicare, meaning they don’t inherently cover birth control. That said, some plans may offer extra benefits. This is more often beneficial, like vision and dental care, but may involve birth control in some cases.

To determine if your Part C plan covers birth control procedures, check with your plan administrator or review your plan documents. Medicare Advantage plans are private insurance products, so what they cover varies from plan to plan.

Some Medicare Advantage plans include Part D prescription drug coverage as well. As with any Medicare Part D plan, you’ll need to check the plan’s formulary to see which birth control medications the plan covers.

When discussing birth control methods with your healthcare professional, you may also want to verify your plan’s coverage so you can keep costs low.

Birth control isn’t likely to be completely free, even with Medicare plans. Private insurance companies offer Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans. Their costs vary according to the plan you choose and the coverage it provides.

The national base beneficiary premium for Part D is $36.78 in 2025, and according to the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare (CMS), the average monthly premium for Part C plans is around $17.00.

Generally, the cost of contraception after your Part C or D plan coverage kicks in depends on your plan. According to a 2020 study, between 2010 and 2018, the ACA significantly reduced out-of-pocket costs for birth control pills with insurance coverage.

Another 2020 study examined the costs of 37 contraceptive implants over nine months. IUDs were priced at $593.75, while hormonal inserts came in at $462.91. That said, about 96% of the IUDs and 80% of the hormonal implants were reimbursed by insurance. The insertion fees averaged $108 and $72.49, respectively.

To keep your birth control costs as low as possible, make sure to select the right plan for your needs.

Talk with your healthcare professional, insurance company, or benefits administrator to be sure the medications you need are covered under the plans you’re considering.

It’s also important to check your plan’s requirements before you choose a birth control method.

Cost-savings programs

Medicaid is a federally funded healthcare program administered by the state where you live and covers many forms of birth control.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) estimates that around 12.3 million people were simultaneously enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid in 2019. To find out if you’re eligible for Medicaid benefits, you can check here.

If Medicare doesn’t cover the birth control method you need, you may want to check with the company that produces your preferred method. Some manufacturers offer discount programs and reduced costs to people who qualify.

Public or private reproductive health programs in your area may also offer free or low cost birth control. Planned parenthood and your local public health clinic can be two good places to start.

To find a public health clinic near you, type your location into the CDC’s health department search tool.

What does Medicare cover for birth?

While it’s not commonly necessary, as most people enrolled in Medicare are past reproductive age, Original Medicare does cover medical costs related to pregnancy and delivery. This also means that Part C plans are required to offer this coverage.

Does Medicare cover IUD removal?

If your Medicare plan covers IUD insertion, it should also cover its removal.

Does Medicare cover the abortion pill?

Medicare doesn’t cover any type of pregnancy prevention, including the “morning-after pill” like Plan B. Medicare also doesn’t cover abortion procedures unless the pregnancy resulted from rape, incest, or if the abortion is necessary to treat another condition that endangers the life of the birthing parent.

While Original Medicare isn’t likely to cover birth control methods unless they’re used to treat another health condition, some Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D plans do cover them.

If you need birth control to prevent pregnancy, you may need to consider switching to a Medicare Advantage plan that covers the birth control method you want to use.

To determine whether your plan covers your medications or devices, check with your plan administrator or consult your plan’s prescription drug formulary.

Medicaid, public health departments, and reproductive health organizations like Planned Parenthood may be able to help you get the birth control you need if your Medicare plan doesn’t cover it.