No, Original Medicare does not cover birth control. Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans may cover certain birth control methods depending on individual circumstances.

While Medicare primarily covers people ages 65 years and older, younger people with certain conditions or disabilities are also eligible for coverage, and they may wonder if their plans cover birth control.

This article discusses birth control, including possible Medicare coverage through Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans.

Glossary of Medicare terms

  • Out-of-pocket cost: This is the amount a person must pay for care when Medicare does not pay the total amount or offer coverage. Costs can include deductibles, coinsurance, copayments, and premiums.
  • Premium: This is the amount of money someone pays each month for Medicare coverage.
  • Deductible: This is an annual amount a person must spend out of pocket within a certain period before Medicare starts to fund their treatments.
  • Coinsurance: This is the percentage of treatment costs that a person must self-fund. For Medicare Part B, coinsurance is 20%.
  • Copayment: This is a fixed dollar amount a person with insurance pays when receiving certain treatments. For Medicare, this usually applies to prescription drugs.
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Original Medicare (parts A and B) does not provide coverage for birth control that is intended to prevent pregnancy.

Medicare Part D is an optional coverage that helps pay for prescription drugs. Some Part D plans provide coverage for birth control in certain medically necessary circumstances, such as to treat endometriosis.

However, this depends on the plan’s formulary, or medication list, and the specific needs of the Medicare recipient.

Some Medicare Advantage plans also include coverage for prescription birth control methods. These plans may offer coverage to younger people with permanent disabilities or conditions.

To be eligible for any healthcare coverage, birth control methods must also be FDA-approved and prescribed by a doctor.

There are many available forms of medically prescribed birth control, includingTrusted Source:

Medicare does not offer any coverage for condoms or IUDs, whose purpose is solely to prevent pregnancy.

Medicare generally does not cover “lifestyle items,” meaning it does not provide coverage for medical products and services that people choose to use. Therefore, it also does not cover emergency contraception.

Learn about Original Medicare.

Whether or not a person can receive coverage for birth control depends on their individual circumstances and specific plans.

Original Medicare

Original Medicare (parts A and B) help cover the costs of many medical expenses, but they do not include prescription drug coverage.

As such, parts A and B do not include coverage for birth control medication. For this, a person will have to purchase a Part D plan.

Although Original Medicare does not provide coverage for birth control for preventing pregnancy, it may cover some birth-controlling procedures as a treatment for certain conditions.

For example, a hysterectomy may be medically necessary to treat a certain health condition, such as cancer, fibroids, or endometriosis.

Medicare Part D

Medicare Part D helps cover the costs of prescription drugs. Some Part D plans include birth control medications that doctors prescribe for certain medical conditions.

For example, birth control pills that contain hormones can treat conditionsTrusted Source such as:

Private insurance companies offer Part D plans, which vary in coverage and cost among providers. It is best to check the plan’s list, or formulary, for any birth control options.

In general, formularies include at least two options for every drug category, including generic and brand-name options.

Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans

Medicare Advantage plans are an alternative to Original Medicare and may offer additional benefits, such as vision, hearing, or dental care.

However, all Medicare Advantage plans must provide at least the same level of coverage as Original Medicare. Advantage plans may also require a person to use in-network healthcare providers and facilities.

If a person is enrolled in Original Medicare, they can choose to switch or enroll in an Advantage plan offered in their area. Costs may include the plan premium, deductibles, and copays.

The most common Advantage plans include:

  • Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)
  • Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)
  • Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS)
  • Special Needs Plans (SNPs)

The amount a person pays for Medicare plans, including Part D and Medicare Advantage, depends on several factors.

These factors include any annual Medicare cost changes and individual Part D or Advantage plan premiums.

Original Medicare costs

A person does not receive birth control coverage under Original Medicare. However, the 2025 costs for these are as follows:

  • Part A premium: $0 for most people
  • Part A deductible: $1,676 for each inpatient hospital benefit period, and extra costs for inpatient stays
  • Part B premium: $185 monthly, or higher depending on income
  • Part B deductible: $257 yearly
  • Part B coinsurance: usually 20% of the cost for each Medicare-covered service or item after paying the deductible

Part D and C costs

Costs for Part D include the monthly premium, deductibles, coinsurance, and copays. However, the costs vary by plan. These amounts can change each year.

The national base premium for Part D is $36.78.

Like Part D, Medicare Advantage (or Part C) costs vary depending on the specific plan.

A person can use this online tool to find a 2025 Medicare plan.

Medicare resources

For more resources to help guide you through the complex world of medical insurance, visit our Medicare hub.

Some Medicare plans offer birth control coverage to people who meet certain criteria. These plans include Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans.