You do need a prescription. There are lots of ways to obtain that. Your county may have programs, otherwise go to a further away Planned Parenthood once per year. Do you have a Walgreen's, Target, CVS, or Wal-Mart around? All of those pharmacies have discount programs and offer specific oral contraceptives at a very affordable price.

I have health insurance but it does not cover birth control. So once per year I have my exam, and ask specifically for Mononessa, as that is the discount oral contraceptive Walgreen's offers. I pay $20 per year for the discount program, and then the Mononessa is $12 per month. Check out your area pharmacies to see which specific meds they offer.