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All family planning centers in Massachusetts provide EC. For many
teens, this is a great options because it will cost less. If you have
questions about where to get EC or if you'd like to find a family
planning center near you, call the Sexual Health Helpline at (877)
MA-SEX-ED (877) 627-3933, or go to the resources page.
Women and men 17 and over:
So here’s the deal: Any woman or man 17 years old or over does not need
a prescription to buy EC in a pharmacy in the United States. If
you are 17 or older all you need is a government-issued photo I.D. that
shows how old you are and you can buy EC at any Massachusetts pharmacy
that sells it. Under the law, Massachusetts pharmacists are not
allowed to refuse to provide EC because of their personal objections or
religious beliefs, but not all states have this law.
Women under 17 or women without I.D.
Women under the age of 17, or women who do not have a photo I.D. need a
prescription to buy EC over the counter. Women under 17 with a
prescription can go to any pharmacy to fill the prescription.
Also, there are a limited number of specially trained pharmacists
within Massachusetts who can provide EC to women under 17 without
a prescription. Not all pharmacists
offer this service, and the trained pharmacist must be at the pharmacy
in order to provide EC to women who are under 17 or without photo I.D,
so call ahead to make sure the specially trained EC pharmacist is on
duty. Click here
for a list of specially trained pharmacists who can provide EC directly. Men under the age of 17 can’t buy EC,
even from a specially trained pharmacist. However, if the woman is
screened and counseled by the pharmacist over the phone, a man under 18
would be able to pick up the prescription for her, just like any other
medication.
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Plan B®
Over the Counter |
Plan B®
Prescription from a doctor |
Plan B®
Prescription from a Specially Trained Pharmacist
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Age |
17+ |
No restriction |
No restriction |
I.D. |
Yes (Gov't issued with Date of Birth) |
No |
No |
Who can pick it up |
Any male or female |
Patient, friend, family member or someone acting on behalf of the patient |
Patient must be screened by the pharmacist. Patient, friend, family member or someone acting on behalf of the patient |
Covered by insurance |
No |
Maybe. Depends on plan. MassHealth will pay for it. |
Maybe. Depends on plan. MassHealth will pay for it |
Cost |
$25-$50 |
Depends on whether insurance pays partially or fully. |
Depends on whether insurance pays partially or fully. |
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Since
EC must be taken within 120 hours (five days) of having unprotected
sex, a woman may either get a prescription for Plan B® in advance or
buy Plan B® for use in an emergency. A doctor or health care provider
can write a prescription for Plan B® before a pregnancy risk happens so
that it can be filled when it’s needed. The cost of a
prescription for Plan B® is often paid partly or completely by health
insurance. A prescription can’t be used after one year from the date it
was written.
EC can be bought in advance either with a prescription or over the
counter (if 17 or older). Plan B® is good for several years after
it is produced, so it’s a good idea to keep a filled prescription so it
can be used whenever it’s needed. Just make sure you check the
expiration date. Either of these options make it easier to use EC
within the required 120 hours after unprotected sex.
Buying
Plan B® over the counter from a drug store usually costs anywhere from
$25 to $50. If you’re buying Plan B® using a prescription, many health
insurance plans will cover some or all of the cost. Contact your
health insurance provider if you are uncertain whether your plan will
cover EC. MassHealth will pay for Plan B® with a prescription. Keep in
mind that if you use your parents’ insurance, they may get a bill in
the mail that says the reason for your visit to the doctor or pharmacy.
If you don’t have insurance or cannot get a prescription, many family
planning clinics can provide EC at a lower cost or free, based on a
sliding scale of what you can afford to pay. For many teens, this is
the most affordable option. (I know I don’t always have an extra $50
lying around!). To find a family planning clinic near you, call the
Sexual Health Helpline at (877) MA-SEX-ED (877) 627-3933, or go to the resources page.
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