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Current: Our Impact
Planned Parenthood Federation of America is the nation's leading sexual and reproductive health care provider, and the nation's largest provider of sex education. We offer high-quality health care, backed by medical experts and more than 100 years of research.
PLANNED PARENTHOOD'S GOALS
Providing Trusted Community Health Care
Our expert nurses, doctors, educators, and health center staff are dedicated to bringing high-quality, non-judgmental, affordable care to their communities.
Informing & Educating the Community
Planned Parenthood is proud to provide young people with honest, factual health and relationship information — in classrooms, community centers, and online.
Reproductive Health & Rights Movement
Planned Parenthood is an outspoken, passionate advocate for policies that help all people access high-quality reproductive and sexual health care, education, and information.
Advancing Global Health
Planned Parenthood Global works with local partners in Africa and Latin America to help people overcome barriers to lifesaving reproductive health care and education.
Dakota's Story
I turned to Planned Parenthood when I was in high school for birth control. If Planned Parenthood hadn't helped me, I would not be who I am today.
Chenoa's Story
I found out about the Affordable Care Act while volunteering at Planned Parenthood. I was so excited because it meant I could have health insurance again.
Shawanna's Story
At 17, I became pregnant. I decided to terminate the pregnancy because it was the best option for me at the time. It's important that abortion remain safe and legal for women.
Protect Access for 2.4 Million Patients
For the past century, Planned Parenthood has provided lifesaving reproductive health care and empowered millions of people worldwide to make informed decisions and lead healthy, happy lives.
Do real doctors and nurses work at Planned Parenthood health centers?
Yes! The staff at Planned Parenthood health centers are trained and licensed medical professionals, just like you would find at any other doctor's office. Planned Parenthood's general practitioners, obstetricians and gynecologists, nurse practitioners, and counselors are experts at providing high quality, compassionate, non-judgmental health care.
For more than 100 years, Planned Parenthood has been an innovative leader in reproductive health research and technological advancements. That's why Planned Parenthood is America's most trusted provider of sexual health care.
Why are there differences from health center to health center?
Planned Parenthood has 54 independently incorporated affiliates nationwide. Our affiliates operate more than 600 Planned Parenthood health centers all around the country. Planned Parenthood affiliates work in many different locations, under many different circumstances. So things like health center policies, services, and costs vary depending on local and state laws, funding, and the particular needs of the community.
If you have questions about the policies and procedures at a Planned Parenthood health center, call your local affiliate. The staff there will answer your questions and make sure you get the care you need, no matter what.
Does Planned Parenthood take insurance?
You bet! Planned Parenthood health centers accept many private insurance plans. Most Planned Parenthood health centers also accept Medicaid and Medicare, and state-sponsored health insurance plans.
The insurance plans you can use vary at each health center, depending on their policies and legislation in your state And the health care services that are covered depend on your insurance plan. For example, your insurance plan may cover birth control and STD testing, but not abortion services. To find out what services your plan covers, call the number on the back of your insurance card.
Because of the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare), most insurance plans must cover certain preventative care services 100%, with no out-of-pocket cost to you. The preventative care services you can get at Planned Parenthood include birth control, STD testing and treatment, cancer screenings, and annual exams.
The staff at your local Planned Parenthood can answer any questions you have about using your insurance to get care at Planned Parenthood.
Can I come to Planned Parenthood if I don't have insurance?
Yes! Planned Parenthood works hard to provide affordable health care for all, whether or not you have insurance. Many health centers will work with you to make sure you get the care you need at a price that fits your budget.
And even if you don't have health insurance right now, you could qualify for Medicaid or other state programs that can help you pay for birth control and other health care. The staff at your local Planned Parenthood health center are experts at navigating the health insurance system, and may be able to help you enroll in a plan that works for you.
If you have questions about getting health care without insurance, or signing up for health insurance, contact your local Planned Parenthood health center.
Are Planned Parenthood health services free?
Sometimes, yes!
The price for services at Planned Parenthood depends on many different factors, like:
What health care service you need
Whether or not you have insurance or Medicaid
What services your insurance plan covers
What options the health center has to help cover the cost of your visit
There are definitely cases where your visit at Planned Parenthood might be totally free. Depending on the service you need, if you have health insurance, your visit could cost you nothing. Most health insurance plans must cover preventative care (like birth control, STD testing, cancer screenings, and annual exams) 100% with no copay or out-of-pocket costs to you. If you don't have insurance that covers the cost of your visit, the health center might use a sliding scale to figure out the price — and depending on your income, it may be free or very low cost.
We believe everyone deserves access to affordable, quality healthcare. If you're worried about costs, talk with the the staff at your local Planned Parenthood. They'll help you get the care you need at a price that works for you.
Why would someone choose to go to Planned Parenthood?
So many reasons! Lots of patients say what they like best about Planned Parenthood is our knowledgeable, compassionate, non-judgmental staff who provide care that's tailored to your needs. Caring physicians, nurse practitioners, counselors, and other staff take time to talk with patients, and encourage you to ask questions in a confidential environment that millions have grown to trust. We've seen it all, and we're here to help, not judge.
Planned Parenthood believes everyone deserves access to quality health care — no matter your gender, race, ethnicity, immigration status, sexual orientation, or income. So Planned Parenthood health centers work hard to provide care that's accessible for all. In some areas, Planned Parenthood is the only health care provider that accepts Medicaid or other government insurance programs. Without Planned Parenthood, vulnerable people in these communities would have nowhere to turn for health care.
Planned Parenthood has been around for more than 100 years. We're America's most trusted provider of sexual and reproductive health care, and the nation's largest provider of sex education. In 2015, 2.4 million people went to Planned Parenthood health centers for affordable, high-quality reproductive health services. And 1 in 5 American women has chosen Planned Parenthood for health care at least once in her life.
At Planned Parenthood, you're getting expert care backed by the most up-to-date research from respected leaders in the field of reproductive health research and technologies.
Can men go to Planned Parenthood?
Planned Parenthood health centers are proud to provide reproductive and sexual health services to people of all genders. In fact, men make up 11% of Planned Parenthood's patients across the country. You can come to Planned Parenthood for:
STD and HIV testing and treatment
PrEP and PEP (medicines to help prevent HIV)
Vasectomy (sterilization) services
Erectile dysfunction exam, treatment, education, and referrals
Premature ejaculation exam, treatment, education, and referrals
Transgender health services, including hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
Sexual health, family life, and parenting information
Infertility screening and treatment referral
Jock Itch testing and treatment
UTI testing and treatment
Other reproductive health services
Some of these services are available at every Planned Parenthood health center. Others are only available at select locations. Contact your local Planned Parenthood health center to find out where you can get the service you're looking for in your area.
Is abortion still legal?
Yes, abortion is still completely legal in the U.S. However, regulations vary from state to state, so an abortion is easier to get in some areas than others.
Anti-abortion extremists have passed laws in some states that are meant to make abortions harder to get. These can include:
Mandatory waiting periods — you must receive counseling and then wait up to 72 hours before you can have an abortion.
Requiring doctors to discourage you or scare you out of getting an abortion.
Passing laws that force health centers to close, making it more difficult for people in rural areas to find a health center that's near them or has appointments available.
Laws that require health center staff to notify or get permission from parents if a person under 18 needs an abortion.
Laws that put very early time limits on when you're allowed to get an abortion.
Laws that cut funding for health centers that provide abortion, forcing them to close.
If you're considering abortion, timing can be really important because it may take a while to get an appointment or it may be hard to find a provider in your area. Talk to a nurse or doctor right away, so you have every available option.
If you need information about the laws in your state, contact your local Planned Parenthood health center.
What's it like to visit a Planned Parenthood health center?
You can feel confident that you're in good hands. Ever since we opened our first health center more than 100 years ago, Planned Parenthood has been a trusted leader in sexual and reproductive health care.
Each health center is a little different, but there's one thing you'll always find at Planned Parenthood: caring, non-judgmental staff who want to make you feel welcome and help you stay healthy. Trained and certified medical professionals will talk with you, answer all your questions, and give you expert care.
Along with nurses and doctors, many Planned Parenthood health centers have counselors, social workers, and health educators who can give you information about sexual health, parenting skills like breastfeeding and nutrition, and health insurance and government programs that help you and your family stay healthy.
Your physical and emotional safety is very important to us. Planned Parenthood health centers work hard to make your visit private and safe, so you might notice certain security policies meant to protect you (like metal detectors or bag searches).
Sometimes patients worry about being harassed by protesters outside the health center. The good news is, many Planned Parenthood health centers don't have protesters at all. But those that do are prepared to make sure you stay safe. Health centers often have clinic escorts and security guards — people who are trained to protect you and help you get inside the health center safely and privately.
If you're concerned about harassment, call the Planned Parenthood health center where your visit is scheduled and talk with the staff. They'll let you know what to expect and how to get into the building without being bothered.
Confidentiality is a priority, and Planned Parenthood takes extra care to protect your privacy — during your appointment and after. If the health center needs to follow up or give you test results, they'll make sure to contact you in a way that's confidential.
Planned Parenthood delivers vital reproductive health care, sex education, and information to millions of people worldwide. Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit under EIN 13-1644147. Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowable under the law.
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