Quick access to contraception is something many people assume is readily available.
Sadly, millions in the U.S. (and many more globally) lack dependable birth control. For some, privacy is a barrier. Individuals need contraception for a variety of reasons — some obvious, some private — that can make an in-office doctor visit impractical.
For others, the cost is prohibitive.
And sometimes it’s simply too inconvenient to miss work or school to get a refill from a clinic.
One company aims to change that and empower people to be “in charge of their own healthcare.”
San Francisco-based medical startup Nurx provides a simpler path to birth control and HIV-prevention meds via mail order in a dozen states.
Nurx accepts insurance but also helps people without coverage access contraception at an affordable rate.
If you don’t already have a doctor, Nurx pairs you with a licensed clinician in your state who reviews your medical history and prescribes the birth control option they deem appropriate.
And it all happens through the company’s website or mobile app.
Nurx currently ships to:
- California
- Florida
- Illinois
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- New Jersey
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Virginia
- Washington
- Washington, D.C.
If your state isn’t on the list, email Nurx to get notified when the service expands to your area.
Nurx provides:
- Emergency contraception
- Combination birth control pills
- Extended-cycle pills
- Progestin-only pills (the mini-pill)
- NuvaRing
- Xulane combination patch
- PrEP medication for HIV prevention
How Nurx Works
To obtain your birth control, click Get Started on the homepage. Choose the prescription you want, answer a few health-related questions and enter your demographic details.
If you prefer to consult a clinician before ordering, Nurx will set up communication via messaging, phone, or video.
After a licensed provider reviews your submission, Nurx ships the prescription straight to your home.
Medical consultations and standard shipping are free. According to Nurx’s site, the whole process generally takes about three to five days.
How Much Do Birth Control and PrEP Cost Through Nurx?
Nurx accepts private insurance and California Medicaid for birth control prescriptions, so many orders wind up costing nothing out of pocket.
You can also buy birth control without insurance, with prices starting around $15 per pack.
Insurance coverage for PrEP is more complex, so it’s best to consult the site for details.
Is Nurx Private? And Is It Secure?
Nurx states it won’t share your information with your primary care physician or others — including parents or partners. If you’re on someone else’s insurance and need a discreet order, check these tips.
Nurx’s clinicians are licensed in the states they serve, and prescriptions are filled and shipped from a licensed pharmacy in your region.
I haven’t covered every detail about Nurx here, so you shouldreview its website thoroughly before placing an order.
If Nurx isn’t available where you live yet, community health centers or organizations like Planned Parenthood may be able to provide assistance.
Planned Parenthood, Lemonaid, PillPack and Maven have also built apps that let you order medications directly from your phone.
Alexandra Reed is a staff writer at Savinly.
