Getting a birth control prescription no longer requires an in-person gynecologist visit, a long wait in a clinic, or an awkward conversation in a paper gown. Telehealth platforms now prescribe pills, patches, rings, and even injectable contraceptives through a simple online consultation — often with free delivery to your door. But which service offers the best telehealth for birth control in terms of pricing, method variety, and ease of use? The answer depends on your insurance status, your preferred contraceptive method, and how much hand-holding you want from a provider. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists supports expanding access to contraception through telehealth, noting that many methods can be safely prescribed based on medical history alone — no physical exam required.
For more on virtual healthcare options, visit our complete telehealth guide.
How Online Birth Control Prescriptions Work
The process is remarkably similar across platforms. You complete a health questionnaire covering your medical history, blood pressure (if known), current medications, and contraceptive preferences. A licensed provider — typically a nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or doctor — reviews your information, evaluates any contraindications, and prescribes an appropriate method. Most platforms deliver the prescription directly to your home or send it to a local pharmacy.
The entire process usually takes 24-48 hours from questionnaire submission to prescription, though some platforms offer same-day consultations. No video visit is required for most hormonal contraceptive prescriptions — an asynchronous review of your health information is considered sufficient for pills, patches, rings, and injections by most telehealth providers.
What you cannot get through telehealth: IUDs and implants require in-person insertion. If you’re interested in a long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC), telehealth platforms can counsel you but will refer you to a local provider for the procedure.
Top Telehealth Platforms for Birth Control
Nurx
Nurx is one of the most established names in online birth control. The platform offers more than 100 brands of birth control pills, patches, rings, and emergency contraception. Consultations are asynchronous (no video required), and prescriptions are typically reviewed within 24 hours.
- Consultation fee: $0 with insurance; $15 without insurance (one-time medical consultation)
- Birth control cost: $0 with most insurance plans; $15/month for generic pills without insurance
- Delivery: Free shipping to all 50 states in discreet packaging
- Methods available: Combination pills, progestin-only pills, patch, ring, emergency contraception (Ella, Plan B)
- Standout feature: Accepts most major insurance plans and bills directly, reducing upfront costs
Nurx also offers STI testing kits and PrEP prescriptions, making it a broader sexual health platform. Response times for follow-up questions to your provider are generally within 24 hours through the app.
SimpleHealth
SimpleHealth focuses exclusively on birth control, which gives it a streamlined, no-frills experience. The intake questionnaire takes about 5 minutes, and a doctor reviews your information and writes the prescription — usually the same day.
- Consultation fee: $0 with insurance; $20 without insurance
- Birth control cost: $0 with most insurance; as low as $7/month for generics without insurance
- Delivery: Free standard shipping; expedited shipping available
- Methods available: Pills (100+ brands), patch, ring, emergency contraception
- Standout feature: Automatic refills with 2-week advance reminders, so you never run out
SimpleHealth’s customer experience is tightly focused — there’s no clutter from unrelated services. They also provide a price comparison tool that shows whether your insurance copay or their cash price is lower.
Wisp
Wisp started as a sexual health platform for UTI and yeast infection treatment and has expanded into birth control. It offers a fast, pharmacy-first model — your prescription can be sent to a local pharmacy for same-day pickup or delivered by mail.
- Consultation fee: $0 (included in medication price)
- Birth control cost: Starting at $12/month without insurance; insurance accepted for pharmacy pickup
- Delivery: Free shipping or same-day local pharmacy pickup
- Methods available: Pills, emergency contraception
- Standout feature: Same-day pharmacy pickup option for urgent needs
Wisp’s birth control selection is more limited than Nurx or SimpleHealth, but the same-day pharmacy option fills a gap for people who need a prescription quickly. The platform also handles UTI treatment online, making it convenient if you need both services.
Hers (by Hims & Hers)
Hers is the women’s health arm of the Hims & Hers telehealth brand. It offers birth control alongside skincare, hair loss, and mental health services. The platform uses both asynchronous consultations and optional video visits.
- Consultation fee: $0 (built into subscription pricing)
- Birth control cost: Starting at $12/month for generic pills (does not accept insurance for direct-ship medications)
- Delivery: Free shipping in discreet packaging
- Methods available: Pills (limited selection compared to Nurx), emergency contraception
- Standout feature: Bundled subscription model — combine birth control with skincare or other prescriptions
Hers is a strong choice if you want a one-stop platform for multiple health and wellness needs. The limitation is that it doesn’t accept insurance for delivered medications, making it pricier for those with good prescription coverage.
Planned Parenthood Direct
Planned Parenthood’s telehealth app lets you get birth control prescriptions in select states through a mobile consultation. Pricing is competitive, and the organization’s reproductive health expertise is well-established.
- Consultation fee: $0-$25 depending on state
- Birth control cost: Varies by state; many patients receive low-cost or free contraception through sliding scale programs
- Delivery: Pickup at a local Planned Parenthood clinic or pharmacy in some areas; mail delivery in others
- Methods available: Pills, patch, ring, shot, emergency contraception
- Standout feature: Sliding scale pricing and safety-net access for uninsured or underinsured patients
Planned Parenthood Direct isn’t available in all states, so check availability for your location. For patients with limited income or no insurance, it may offer the most affordable path to contraception.
Comparing Costs With and Without Insurance
Under the ACA, most health insurance plans must cover FDA-approved contraceptive methods at no cost to the patient when prescribed by an in-network provider. This means your telehealth birth control prescription may be completely free if the platform bills your insurance or sends the prescription to an in-network pharmacy.
Without insurance, prices vary:
- Generic birth control pills: $7-$25/month through telehealth platforms
- Brand-name pills: $30-$150/month
- Patch (Xulane): $15-$50/month
- Ring (NuvaRing generic): $20-$60/month
- Emergency contraception: $15-$65 per dose
Telehealth platforms frequently offer prices lower than retail pharmacy cash prices because they negotiate directly with generic manufacturers. Compare the platform’s cash price to your insurance copay — sometimes the cash price is cheaper, particularly for generic pills.
Birth Control Methods Available Through Telehealth
Understanding which contraceptive methods can and cannot be prescribed online helps set realistic expectations before you choose a platform.
Combined Oral Contraceptives (The Pill)
The most commonly prescribed method through telehealth. Combined pills contain estrogen and progestin and are taken daily. They’re highly effective (99%+ with perfect use, about 91% with typical use) and available in dozens of brand-name and generic formulations. Telehealth providers can prescribe them based on medical history and blood pressure information — no exam required. Contraindications include a history of blood clots, migraine with aura, certain heart conditions, and being over 35 and smoking.
Progestin-Only Pills (Mini-Pill)
For women who cannot take estrogen — including those who smoke, have a history of blood clots, or are breastfeeding — progestin-only pills are an excellent alternative. These have fewer contraindications and are widely available through all telehealth birth control platforms. The newer progestin-only pill, Slynd (drospirenone), offers a wider daily dosing window than older mini-pills.
The Patch (Xulane)
A weekly adhesive patch that delivers hormones through the skin. Applied once weekly for three weeks, then removed for one week. Available through Nurx, SimpleHealth, and Planned Parenthood Direct. Effectiveness is comparable to the pill, but it may be less effective in women over 198 pounds.
The Ring (NuvaRing/Generic)
A flexible ring inserted into the vagina for three weeks, then removed for one week. It releases the same hormones as combined pills but at a lower, more consistent dose. Annovera, a newer ring, can be reused for up to a year. Both are available through major telehealth platforms.
Emergency Contraception
Plan B (levonorgestrel) and Ella (ulipristal acetate) are available through most telehealth birth control platforms. Plan B is available OTC, but Ella — which is effective up to 5 days after unprotected sex — requires a prescription, making telehealth a convenient access point. Many platforms can ship emergency contraception overnight.
What to Consider When Choosing a Platform
Several factors should guide your decision beyond just price:
- Insurance acceptance: If you have insurance, choose a platform that bills your plan directly (Nurx, SimpleHealth) to maximize ACA contraceptive coverage.
- Method variety: If you want options beyond the pill, ensure the platform prescribes your preferred method. Nurx and SimpleHealth offer the broadest selection.
- Speed: Need birth control today? Wisp’s same-day pharmacy pickup is the fastest option.
- State availability: Not all platforms operate in all 50 states. Verify coverage before creating an account.
- Provider access: If you value being able to message your provider with follow-up questions or concerns about side effects, check the platform’s provider communication features.
For other telehealth comparisons, see our reviews of the best telehealth for anxiety and best telehealth for weight loss.
State-by-State Availability
Not all telehealth platforms operate in all 50 states. Medical licensing requirements mean that providers must be licensed in the state where the patient is located. Most major platforms (Nurx, SimpleHealth, Wisp) cover the majority of states, but coverage gaps exist — particularly in more restrictive states regarding telehealth prescribing.
Before creating an account, verify that the platform serves your state. If your preferred platform isn’t available, check whether your state allows pharmacist-prescribed birth control — as of 2024, over 15 states allow pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraceptives directly, potentially offering another pathway to convenient access without a traditional doctor visit.
Additionally, some states require a synchronous (live video or phone) consultation rather than an asynchronous questionnaire-only review for controlled substances and certain prescriptions. While most birth control does not fall under controlled substance regulations, state-specific telehealth rules can affect the consultation format.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to get birth control online without an exam?
Yes, for most hormonal methods. ACOG and the CDC confirm that a pelvic exam is not required to prescribe hormonal contraceptives. A thorough medical history and blood pressure check (self-reported or taken at a pharmacy kiosk) provide sufficient information for safe prescribing. Providers will screen for contraindications like a history of blood clots, certain types of migraines, or liver disease.
Can I get the same brand I’m currently taking?
Most platforms carry a wide range of brands and generics. During the consultation, you can specify your current brand. If it’s available, the provider will typically continue it. If not, they’ll recommend an equivalent alternative. Nurx and SimpleHealth carry 100+ formulations.
What if I have side effects?
All telehealth birth control platforms allow you to message your prescribing provider about side effects. Most can switch your prescription to a different formulation without a new consultation fee. If side effects are severe — chest pain, severe headaches, leg swelling — seek in-person emergency care immediately, as these could indicate rare but serious complications like blood clots.
Can I get an IUD through telehealth?
No. IUDs (Mirena, Kyleena, Paragard, etc.) and implants (Nexplanon) require in-person insertion by a trained provider. Telehealth platforms can counsel you about LARCs and help you find a local provider for insertion, but the device itself must be placed in a clinical setting.
The Bottom Line
Getting birth control through telehealth is convenient, affordable, and medically sound for most hormonal methods. Nurx and SimpleHealth stand out for insurance billing and method variety. Wisp excels when you need a prescription fast. Hers works well as part of a broader wellness subscription. And Planned Parenthood Direct remains a vital option for uninsured or underinsured patients. The best telehealth for birth control is ultimately the one that fits your insurance situation, preferred method, and how quickly you need to start — so compare your top two options and make the switch from waiting rooms to mail delivery.