This is particularly important with birth control pills. A woman's side effects and tolerance of a particular pill is closely related to the dosages of the various hormones contained in them. In short, you might have more side effects with a generic pill than its brand name equivalent. If you have insurance plan choices, consider switching to one that covers the pill. Check the overall plan, of course.
Insurance plans that cover birth control pills tend to have other benefits for women.
Ask your partner to contribute to the costs. If you don't have a regular partner, condoms should be your choice for birth control. The Pill does not prevent sexually transmitted diseases. In fact, some types of the Pill actually increase your risk of contracting a disease because the hormones cause the lining of the vaginal wall to thin, making it easier for organisms to penetrate.