Nurx is a telehealth platform that provides birth control, STI testing, PrEP, dermatology prescriptions, and mental health treatment through virtual consultations with licensed healthcare professionals. The service has reached over 2 million patients across 36+ U.S. states since its 2015 launch.
The platform holds a 4.8 out of 5 rating from 26,700+ birth control reviews on its own site. Consultation fees range from $15 to $65 per service category. Insurance acceptance drops birth control costs to $0 for many patients. Competitors like Wisp and Hers can’t match that nationwide insurance coverage, and The Pill Club merged into Nurx in June 2023.
Customer complaints flag medication switching without notification, slow support response times, and a tight 48-hour cancellation window. This review breaks down Nurx services, real pricing, safety record, competitor comparisons, and actual user experiences to answer one question: is Nurx worth it?
What Is Nurx?
Nurx is a telehealth platform that provides prescription medications and at-home testing kits through virtual consultations with licensed healthcare professionals. The company launched in 2015 and has served over 2 million patients across more than 36 U.S. states since its founding.
Here’s the thing: the platform covers a lot of ground. Nurx specializes in women’s health, sexual health, contraception, dermatology, mental health, and weight management. It serves adults aged 18 and older, and the service model cuts out in-person doctor visits for routine prescriptions entirely.
Nurx started as a birth control delivery service and later expanded into STI testing, PrEP, skincare, and migraine treatment. In June 2023, The Pill Club merged with Nurx. This move consolidated two major telehealth contraception providers into one platform.
How Does Nurx Work?
Nurx operates through a simple four-step process: complete a health questionnaire, pay a consultation fee ($15-$65), receive a provider review, and get medications shipped to your door. A licensed healthcare professional in the patient’s state reviews every application before issuing a prescription.
Standard delivery takes 2-5 business days with free shipping on most orders. Need it faster? Expedited 1-3 day shipping is available for an additional fee. Automatic refills activate by default, but patients can cancel within 48 hours of a refill reminder.
What Services Does Nurx Offer?
Nurx offers birth control with 50+ brand options, emergency contraception, PrEP for HIV prevention, at-home STI testing, HPV screening, herpes treatment, and dermatology prescriptions. The platform also covers migraine medication, mental health treatment, UTI treatment, and weight management programs.
Dermatology services include acne treatment with antibiotics, retinoids, and spironolactone. Consultation fees for skin care start at $20-$40. Monthly medication costs range from $25 to $40 depending on the prescribed treatment.
Mental health services cover anxiety and depression treatment through SSRIs and SNRIs. The initial consultation costs $59. Ongoing monthly management runs $69 and includes prescription adjustments and provider check-ins.
Nurx Services at a Glance:
- Birth control (50+ brands, pills, patches, rings, shots)
- Emergency contraception (Plan B, ella)
- PrEP for HIV prevention (Truvada, Descovy)
- At-home STI testing (chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, syphilis, hepatitis C)
- HPV screening (14 strains tested)
- Dermatology (acne, rosacea, anti-aging)
- Mental health (anxiety, depression)
- Weight management (GLP-1 medications)
- Migraine treatment (partnership with Cove)
What Does Nurx Birth Control Include?
Nurx birth control includes over 50 brands that span combined pills, progestin-only pills, the NuvaRing vaginal ring, the Xulane patch, and the Depo-Provera shot. The consultation fee costs $18 and medication drops to $0 with most insurance plans.
Birth control ships in a 3-month supply with automatic refills and free standard delivery in 2-5 business days. You can cancel refills anytime through the app. And here’s a good sign: the birth control service holds a 4.8 out of 5 star rating from over 26,700 patient reviews.
Does Nurx Offer Emergency Contraception?
Yes. Nurx provides Plan B (levonorgestrel) and ella (ulipristal acetate) for emergency contraception at a $15 consultation fee. Medication costs range from $14.99 to $45 depending on insurance coverage and the specific brand selected.
But here’s the catch: emergency contraception through Nurx isn’t available in all states. Standard delivery takes 2-5 business days. That timeline means the service works best as an advance purchase rather than an immediate emergency solution.
Does Nurx Prescribe PrEP for HIV Prevention?
Yes. Nurx prescribes both generic and branded PrEP medications such as Truvada (emtricitabine/tenofovir) and Descovy for HIV prevention. The consultation costs $25 and monthly medication runs $94-$164 (USD) without insurance coverage.
PrEP patients receive required quarterly lab monitoring through the Nurx platform. The service coordinates blood work and kidney function tests needed for safe ongoing PrEP use. The good news? Insurance often covers PrEP medication costs entirely.
What Do Nurx Reviews Say?
Nurx holds a 4.8 out of 5 rating from over 26,700 birth control reviews on its own platform, with users praising convenience, affordability, and fast delivery. One Healthline tester described the service as ‘cheaper than my OB-GYN copay’ and ‘extremely quick and thorough.’
But here’s where it gets interesting. The Better Business Bureau gives Nurx an A- business rating, yet customer reviews on the BBB average just 1.08 out of 5 stars from 618 reviews. The bureau has closed 616 complaints against Nurx over the past 3 years.
Nurx Review Scores by Platform:
| Platform | Rating | Review Count |
|---|---|---|
| Nurx.com (Birth Control) | 4.8 / 5 | 26,700+ |
| Nurx.com (STI Testing) | 4.8 / 5 | 26,500+ |
| Better Business Bureau | 1.08 / 5 | 618 |
| BBB Business Rating | A- | 616 complaints closed |
What Are Common Nurx Complaints?
Nurx complaints center on medication brand switching without proper patient notification, slow customer service response times, and billing disputes for unexpected charges. One patient reported getting pregnant after Nurx switched her birth control brand without informing her of the timing change.
Customer service issues include difficulty reaching live representatives and delayed responses through in-app messaging. How long do you wait? Multiple users report several days for replies to urgent medication questions.
Cancellation policies frustrate many users too. Refills charge automatically unless canceled within 48 hours of a reminder notification. Initial orders can’t be canceled after checkout. Several BBB complaints reference the cancellation process directly.
Top Nurx Complaints:
- Birth control brand switching without patient notification
- Slow customer service response times (days, not hours)
- Billing disputes for unexpected or duplicate charges
- Difficult cancellation process with tight 48-hour window
- App functionality and navigation issues
Does Nurx Have Good Customer Service?
No. Nurx customer service relies primarily on in-app messaging and email without live phone support, and it receives frequent criticism for slow response times. Response times vary widely, with some users reporting delays of several days for basic inquiries.
Medical consultations happen asynchronously through the app. Providers typically respond within 24-48 hours. Can you pick your own doctor? No. Patients can’t choose a specific provider or schedule real-time video consultations for most services.
How Much Does Nurx Cost?
Nurx consultation fees range from $15 for emergency contraception to $65 for specialized services, with birth control consultations at $18 and mental health services at $59 initially plus $69 per month ongoing. Medication costs vary by service and insurance status.
To put it simply: birth control costs $0 with most insurance plans after the consultation fee. STI testing kits range from $150-$220 without insurance and drop to $75 with coverage. PrEP medication runs $94-$164 (USD) per month for uninsured patients.
Nurx Pricing by Service:
| Service | Consultation Fee | Medication Cost (No Insurance) |
|---|---|---|
| Birth Control | $18 | $0-$150/month |
| Emergency Contraception | $15 | $14.99-$45 |
| PrEP (HIV Prevention) | $25 | $94-$164/month |
| STI Testing Kit | Included | $150-$220 |
| HPV Screening | Included | $79 |
| Acne Treatment | $25-$40 | $25-$40/month |
| Mental Health | $59 initial | $69/month ongoing |
Does Nurx Accept Insurance?
Yes. Nurx accepts most major insurance plans nationwide, often covering birth control at $0 copay and reducing STI testing kit costs from $150-$220 down to $75. Medicaid and Medicare coverage varies by state and service type.
Don’t have insurance? Patients can still use Nurx by paying out of pocket at transparent listed prices. HSA and FSA payments are accepted for eligible services. It’s worth noting that consultation fees aren’t covered by insurance regardless of plan type.
Is Nurx Worth the Price?
Yes. Nurx delivers significant savings compared to traditional in-person care, with the $18 birth control consultation replacing office visits that average $150-$300 (USD) without insurance. Free shipping on most orders adds further value to the per-visit savings.
Here’s the part most people miss: consultation fees apply per service category rather than as a flat platform subscription. Patients needing multiple services face stacked consultation costs. And missed cancellation deadlines trigger automatic refill charges that add unexpected expenses.
Is Nurx Safe and Legitimate?
Yes. Nurx uses licensed healthcare professionals in each patient’s state to write prescriptions, partners with accredited labs such as Molecular Testing Labs, and protects all patient data under HIPAA compliance. The platform operates as a legitimate telehealth provider.
But there’s some history here. A 2019 New York Times investigation revealed Nurx had reshipped returned but unopened birth control prescriptions to new patients. The company stated this practice ended in 2018 and affected a small fraction of over 1 million orders since 2015.
The same NYT report noted Nurx executives had attempted to revise birth control prescribing policies for women over 35. State medical laws prohibit non-licensed individuals from influencing medical policy. Nurx addressed the concern publicly at the time.
Does Nurx Use Real Doctors?
Yes. Nurx employs licensed physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants who hold active licenses in the states where they practice. The medical team includes specialists like Dr. Marie Leger, MD, PhD, FAAD for dermatology consultations.
Here’s what that actually means: consultations are primarily asynchronous. Patients fill out health questionnaires and providers review them remotely within 24-48 hours. No in-person visits or video calls are required for most Nurx services.
Is Nurx FDA Approved?
No. Nurx isn’t FDA approved because it operates as a telehealth platform, not a drug manufacturer or pharmaceutical company. The medications Nurx prescribes, such as birth control pills, PrEP, and tretinoin, are individually FDA-approved products.
To be clear, Nurx uses licensed pharmacies to dispense all prescription medications under state and federal pharmacy regulations. Patients can verify their dispensing pharmacy directly on the Nurx website for added transparency.
How Does Nurx Compare to Competitors?
Nurx competes with Wisp, Hers, and Ro while offering one of the broadest service ranges in telehealth that spans birth control, STI testing, dermatology, mental health, and weight management. The Pill Club merged into Nurx in June 2023. This move consolidated two major competitors into one platform.
Nurx birth control consultations cost $18 compared to Wisp’s $0 consultation fee, but Wisp charges higher medication prices. Hers bundles services at $25-$85 (USD) per month. Nurx’s per-service model costs less for single-service patients but more for multi-service users.
Nurx vs Competitors:
| Feature | Nurx | Wisp | Hers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consultation Fee | $15-$65 | $0 | Bundled |
| Insurance Accepted | Yes | No | No (most services) |
| Birth Control Brands | 50+ | Limited | Limited |
| Mental Health | Yes | No | Yes |
| Weight Management | Yes | No | Yes |
| Same-Day Treatment | No | Yes | No |
Is Nurx Better Than Wisp or Hers?
Nurx stands out as one of the few telehealth birth control platforms that accepts insurance nationwide and drops medication costs to $0 for many insured patients. Wisp and Hers typically require full out-of-pocket payment for prescriptions.
Wisp focuses on sexual health and UTI treatment with no consultation fees and faster same-day treatment options. Nurx offers broader services but charges per-category consultation fees. Wisp doesn’t provide mental health or weight management.
Hers by Hims and Hers offers dermatology, mental health, and sexual health at $25-$85 (USD) per month. Nurx provides more birth control options with 50+ brands versus a limited Hers selection. And here’s the key difference: Hers doesn’t accept insurance for most services.
Who Should Use Nurx?
Nurx works best for adults aged 18 and older who want convenient access to birth control, STI testing, or routine prescriptions without scheduling in-person doctor visits. The platform particularly suits patients in rural areas or ‘contraception deserts’ with limited local healthcare providers.
Insured patients benefit most from Nurx pricing. Birth control drops to $0 and STI testing kits fall to $75 with insurance. Already know your preferred medication? The asynchronous consultation model makes the process fast and efficient.
Who Should Avoid Nurx?
Nurx is unavailable in Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Kansas, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, and West Virginia. Some services face additional state-level restrictions beyond this list.
Pregnant individuals can’t use certain Nurx services. Patients needing Accutane (isotretinoin) for severe acne must see an in-person dermatologist. And patients requiring controlled substances like Adderall should stick with traditional healthcare providers.
States Where Nurx Is Unavailable:
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- Delaware
- Hawaii
- Kansas
- Mississippi
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- Rhode Island
- West Virginia
Is Nurx Worth It?
Yes. Nurx delivers genuine convenience for routine prescriptions and at-home testing while accepting insurance to reduce costs below traditional in-person visits. Over 2 million patients have used the service since its 2015 launch across 36+ states.
Bottom line: the platform earns strong marks for convenience, pricing, and medication variety. Legitimate criticism exists around medication switching without notification, customer service gaps, and the 2019 reshipping controversy uncovered by the New York Times.
Nurx suits patients seeking affordable, no-visit birth control and basic telehealth services. Patients with complex medical needs or those requiring urgent care should supplement Nurx with traditional in-person healthcare providers for comprehensive coverage.