smithSEX.ED - Discount Birth Control Voucher Program

Birth Control Voucher Program

This is a great program that all who want to use either the Patch (Ortho Evra), birth control pills or Nuva Ring should consider trying.

What is the Program?

A purchase program that allows all students regardless of their health insurance, to purchase contraceptives at a discounted price.

How do I start getting discounted birth control?

You must have an annual gynecological exam. This exam can either be performed at Health Services or with your own, private health care provider.
If you choose to get your exam at health services, and have private insurance, you must pay the lab fees (i.e. pap smear, chlamyddia screen, etc.). If you have either the full or optional college health plan, everything will be covered.
If you choose to have an exam with an outside provider, you must have a copy of your most recent gynecological exam report and Pap Test results sent to Health Services.
After the exam, talk with either the nurse or doctor, and see which birth control option is best for you.
Your presciption must be issued by a Health Services provider in order to utilize the voucher program.

Do I get the birth control directly from Health Services?

No. This is why it is a little inconvenient. Because Health Services is not a pharmacy, they are not allowed to distribute birth control. Health Services, however, has made arrangements with Serio’s Pharmacy on State Street to give Smith students their birth control prescription when the students come in with their vouchers. Serio's keeps a "special stash" of these contraceptives reserved for Smith students.

So, how do I get my birth control once it is prescribed?

You must first go to Health Services during the designated hours for voucher purchase.

Next, take your voucher to Serio’s Pharmacy, which is located on 65 State St. and fill your prescription.
The pharmacist at Serio’s will let you know if you need a refill, but usually the prescription is good for a year, or until you need your next gynecological exam.

The program sounds great, but how much does it cost?

This all depends on what type of birth control you get; some are cheaper than others.
Desogen and Mircette (birth control pills) cost $10.
Orthotricyclene Lo, Cyclessa (birth control pills) and Nuva Ring cost $20.
The Ortho Evra Patch costs $25.

Not bad. So how do I go about paying for the vouchers?

Bring a check, cash or your one card (man, that card does everything) to Health Services, and you will receive the voucher. Go into the little office directly across from the main desk and tell the woman at the desk what you need and how many.
Unfortunately credit and debit cards are not accepted.

One more thing, what happens when J-term and summer vacation roll around, or I decide to go JYA?

You are in luck. You can purchase as many vouchers (and by that I mean up to 12) as you need at one time. That means if you are going away for a year, you can buy 12 vouchers at once. You don’t feel like going up to Health Services during the winter? Buy 6 vouchers in October. Only have enough money to buy one pack at a time? Buy one pack at a time. This is one of the best things about the discount birth control purchase program.

Written by Lisa Goldenhar '06
Last Updated: 1-23-06