Free and Reasonable Women’s Healthcare
Free or reduced-cost healthcare services for women vary depending throughout the US dramatically by city, state, income requirements, insurance status, and specific healthcare needs. However, there are several services and programs throughout the country that aim to provide affordable or free healthcare services to women. Tricky Bills has aggregated a number of these resources in the article below.
Preventive Services: The Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandates that certain preventive services, such as well-woman exams, mammograms, and cervical cancer screenings, are covered at no cost to women with insurance. Medicaid provides free or low-cost healthcare services for eligible women. Healthcare.gov.
Family Planning Services: Many clinics and healthcare providers offer free or low-cost family planning services, including birth control methods and counseling. Planned Parenthood is a national site that helps locate these services.
Prenatal and Maternity Care: Medicaid provides coverage for prenatal and maternity care for eligible low-income women. Additionally, government programs and community health clinics often offer reduced-cost or sliding-scale fees for prenatal and maternity care. Insurance programs also offer general wellness checkups and cover 100% of preventative care. Health insurance plans must cover 100% of preventive care as required by the ACA.
Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening: Programs like the U.S. Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program provide free or low-cost screenings for breast and cervical cancer for eligible women. CDC National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program.
Sexual Health Services: Almost every public health department offers sexual health services, including STI testing an counseling. Many operate on a sliding fee scale or offer services for free to those who qualify based on income. Clinics and organizations often provide free or reduced-cost sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing, counseling, and treatment services.
Women's Health Clinics: Many areas have women's health clinics that offer a range of reproductive and general healthcare services at reduced costs. Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) Health Center Program - Operated by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, is a program provides care across the United States on a sliding fee scale. It directs individuals to health centers in their state and offers information on affordable health insurance coverage through the HealthCare.gov Marketplace.Some of these clinics like Planned Parenthood, receive government funding to support their mission.
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Support Services: Support services, including counseling and medical care for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, are often provided for free or at reduced cost through government and non-profit organizations. The National Domestic Violence Hotline offers immediate support through phone calls, live chat and text messaging. Contact can be made through calling 1.800.799.SAFE (7233), texting "START" to 88788, or via live chat on their website. The National Domestic Violence hotline is available 24/7.
Mental Health Services: Some mental health organizations and community clinics offer free or low-cost mental health services for women, including counseling and therapy. In Los Angeles California, National Alliance on Mental Illness has aggregated a number of free resources on their website.
Health Education and Counseling: Many healthcare facilities and non-profit organizations provide free or low-cost health education and counseling services to women on topics such as nutrition, exercise, and sexual health. Go to the HRSA website to find a provider resource.
Preventive Health Screenings: Some health fairs and community events offer free or low-cost preventive health screenings, including blood pressure checks, cholesterol screenings, and diabetes screenings.
State government-funded healthcare clinics, often referred to as public or community health clinics, play a crucial role in providing healthcare services to low-income and underserved populations. Services typically include: https://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/
Primary Care: Public health clinics offer general medical care, including check-ups, vaccinations, and treatment for common illnesses and injuries. Check out Healthcare.gov to find out more about preventative covered services specifically for women.
Family Planning Services: Many clinics, providers and hospitals provide family planning and reproductive health services, including birth control, pregnancy testing, and counseling.
Immunizations: Public health clinics often administer vaccines for children and adults, helping to prevent the spread of preventable diseases.
Women's Health Services: Some clinics offer women's health services, including well-woman exams, pap smears, and breast cancer screenings.
Pediatric Care: Services for children, including well-child exams, immunizations, and developmental assessments.
Dental Care: Some public health clinics provide dental services, such as cleanings, extractions, and fillings.
Mental Health Services: Behavioral health services, including counseling and therapy, may be available at certain clinics.
STI Testing and Treatment: Testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are often offered.
Chronic Disease Management: Public health clinics may help individuals manage chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and asthma.
Pharmacy Services: Some clinics have on-site pharmacies or can help patients access medications at reduced costs.
HIV and AIDS Services: Services related to HIV testing, counseling, and treatment may be available in certain clinics.
Preventive Health Education: Clinics often offer health education programs to promote healthy behaviors and lifestyles.
Many offer services on a sliding fee scale, which means that the cost is adjusted based on your ability to pay. They are designed to serve uninsured and underinsured individuals, as well as those with Medicaid or other government-sponsored insurance programs. Always ask about sliding scale fees or payment assistance programs.
Planned Parenthood offers a wide range of sexual and reproductive health services. However, it's important to note that the services provided by Planned Parenthood may evolve and change over time. To get the most up-to-date information on the services they offer in your area, visit the official Planned Parenthood website or contact the local Planned Parenthood health center in your neighborhood.
Typical services offered by Planned Parenthood include:
Contraception Services: This includes various birth control methods, such as birth control pills, IUDs, implants, condoms, and more.
STI Testing and Treatment: Planned Parenthood provides testing, treatment, and education for sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Cancer Screenings: Services for cervical cancer, breast cancer, and other types of cancer screenings are often offered.
Pregnancy Testing and Options Counseling: They offer pregnancy testing, pregnancy counseling, and information on all pregnancy options, including abortion, adoption, and parenting.
Abortion Services: Planned Parenthood health centers provide both medical and surgical abortion services where legally permissible.
Sexual Health Education: They offer educational resources and guidance on sexual health and family planning.
Women's Health Exams: Planned Parenthood offers well-woman exams, which can include breast exams, pelvic exams, and pap smears.
Men's Health Services: Some Planned Parenthood health centers also provide services related to men's sexual and reproductive health, including STI testing and contraception.
HIV Services: This includes HIV testing, prevention, and education.
Transgender Health Care: Some Planned Parenthood centers offer hormone therapy and other healthcare services to transgender individuals.
Emergency Contraception: Planned Parenthood provides access to emergency contraception methods like the morning-after pill.
PrEP and PEP: Some centers offer pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV prevention.
Searchable resources for services that are free or reduced for Planned Parenthood
State by state look-up to navigate abortion laws; https://www.abortionfinder.org/abortion-guides-by-state
Look-up education on the types of abortions that are legal; https://www.abortionfinder.org/abortion-types
Resources for people thinking about abortion; https://www.abortionfinder.org/abortion-resources
Planned parenthood advocacy groups; https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/local/get-involved-locally
Planned Parenthood national site https://www.plannedparenthood.org/
To find the most accurate and up-to-date information on the services offered by Planned Parenthood in your area, consider visiting their official website or contacting your local health center directly. *Please note that the listing of these services is not an endorsement by Tricky Bills and Tricky Bills is not responsible for the content of or service provided by any of these resources.
