Elena Tapia
In Pennsylvania, individuals are encouraged to talk to their primary care provider to learn about the available birth control methods that best suit their needs. The Pennsylvania Department of Human Service's SelectPlan for Women is a medical assistance program that provides family planning services, including counselling, physical exams, and birth control supplies. Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in Pennsylvania also provide free or low-cost contraception and family planning services to people regardless of their ability to pay. Additionally, women-led birth control prescription and delivery services, such as Pandia Health, have expanded to offer birth control prescriptions and delivery to Pennsylvanians.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Women-led birth control prescription and delivery service | Pandia Health |
| Health insurance | Call the number on the back of your health insurance card to find a provider or learn about covered services in your area |
| Pennsylvania Department of Human Service's SelectPlan for Women | Medical Assistance program that provides family planning services |
| Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) | Health centers that provide services to people regardless of ability to pay |
| Pennsylvania Department of Health's Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Program | Provides management of STD service delivery, education, training, surveillance, and support to professional healthcare providers and community-based organizations |
| Pennsylvania Department of Health's Family Planning Program | Provides support to the statewide family planning clinics by Pennsylvania's for regional Family Health Councils |
| Emergency Contraception | Copper IUDs and oral medication |
What You'll Learn
Birth control prescriptions and delivery services
Planned Parenthood:
Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania has multiple locations across the state, offering gender-affirming reproductive health care and preventative gynecological services. These services include birth control prescriptions, pregnancy testing, STD screening, and counselling. Their services are often low-cost or free, and they serve individuals regardless of their ability to pay.
Local Health Clinics:
Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) are another option for birth control prescriptions and family planning services. These health centers provide services to people regardless of their ability to pay or insurance status. Many FQHCs in Pennsylvania offer contraception and family planning services, which may be free or low-cost for eligible individuals.
Private Companies:
Pandia Health, a women-founded and women-led company, has expanded its services to Pennsylvania. Pandia Health offers birth control prescriptions and delivery services. For individuals with an existing prescription, Pandia Health can transfer, fill, and deliver the prescription. Those without a prescription can fill out a questionnaire, which will be reviewed by one of Pandia Health's doctors, who will then write a prescription if appropriate. The cost for this service is $20 per year, as the prescription must be renewed annually. Pandia Health can deliver birth control pills directly to individuals in all 50 states, and their doctors can also prescribe the patch or the ring, which can be picked up at a local pharmacy.
Other Options:
In addition to the above options, individuals can also consult their primary care provider to discuss available birth control methods and reproductive health services. For those with health insurance, calling the number on the insurance card can help find a provider or learn about covered services in the area. The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services also offers a program called SelectPlan for Women, which provides family planning services, including counselling, medical exams, and limited pharmacy services for birth control and STD treatment.
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Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services' SelectPlan for Women is a medical assistance program that provides family planning services. SelectPlan for Women covers outpatient family planning services only. These services include family planning counselling and coordination of care, medical history and physical exam, limited pharmacy services including birth control supplies and medication, and limited laboratory services including testing for STDs, cervical cancer, HIV, anemia, and sickle cell disease.
To find an FQHC near you, contact the Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers (PACHC).
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Emergency contraception
There are two main types of emergency contraception:
- Copper IUDs: Inserted by a physician, these are the most effective method for emergency contraception and can be inserted up to five days after unprotected sex.
- Oral medication: Some oral emergency contraception medications, such as Levonorgestrel (also known as Plan B, One Step, Option 2, etc.), are available over the counter at local pharmacies without a prescription. Oral emergency contraception is most effective when taken soon after sexual intercourse, ideally within the first 72 hours.
If you are considering emergency contraception, it is recommended to discuss your options with a healthcare provider or pharmacist, who can guide you on the best course of action and timing.
In Pennsylvania, several resources are available for individuals seeking contraception and family planning services. Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) provide services to all, regardless of their ability to pay or insurance status, and many FQHCs in the state offer contraception and family planning services, some of which may be free or low-cost. The Pennsylvania Department of Human Service's SelectPlan for Women is a program that provides family planning services, including counselling, medical exams, birth control supplies, and medication. Additionally, the Pennsylvania Department of Health's Family Planning Program offers support to statewide family planning clinics through regional Family Health Councils.
For individuals who have health insurance, calling the number on the back of their insurance card can help them find a provider or learn about covered services in their area.
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Online birth control prescription services
The Planned Parenthood Direct app also allows you to order the birth control pill, patch, or ring directly from your phone. After downloading the free app, you complete a health questionnaire, similar to what you would fill out at a doctor's office. A Planned Parenthood nurse or doctor will then reach out to you within one business day.
In-person birth control services are available at the Pittsburgh Family Planning Health Center.
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Birth control for teens
In Pennsylvania, minors (those under 18) can obtain birth control without parental consent or involvement. A minor can get a prescription for birth control without a parent's permission. Clinics called Title X clinics provide confidential sexual and reproductive health care to both teens and adults. Title X clinics offer many services, including prescriptions for the Pill, pregnancy option counselling, and testing for pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases and infections, including HIV.
Where to Get Birth Control as a Teen in Pennsylvania
You can get condoms for free or at a reduced cost from health clinics (like Planned Parenthood), HIV testing centres, and local health departments. Call 1-800-230-PLAN (7526) for the nearest Planned Parenthood.
Confidentiality
When you make an appointment for healthcare, ask about confidentiality rules. Specifically ask:
- Can I get services at your office without my parents' permission?
- Can my parent/s have access to my records?
- Will my parent/s see the bill?
It is your right to get sexual and reproductive healthcare where you feel safe and comfortable, so don't worry about asking these questions.
Costs
Emergency Contraception
People of any age can buy the brand Plan B One Step and its generic versions at a local pharmacy over the counter, which means you can buy EC without a prescription. EC sells for between $35 and $60. Prices vary depending on the brand and the pharmacy.
Other Information
- If you are under 18 years old and want an abortion, one parent must give permission before you can get one. This is called "parental consent." If that's not possible, you are able to ask a judge for permission. This is called "judicial bypass."
- In Pennsylvania, there is a 24-hour mandatory waiting period for those seeking an abortion.
- Pennsylvania provides Medicaid (health care) coverage for abortion only in cases of life endangerment to the pregnant person or if the pregnancy is a result of rape or incest.
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Frequently asked questions
Some birth control options in PA include Planned Parenthood, which has multiple locations across the state, and women-led companies such as Pandia Health, which can prescribe and deliver birth control pills to individuals in PA.
The cost of birth control in PA depends on whether you have insurance or not. For those with insurance, Pandia Health, for example, bills the individuals' insurance companies to fill their prescriptions. For those without insurance, the cost for most birth control pills is $15 per pack.
If you don't have insurance, you can still access birth control in PA. Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) are health centers that provide services to people regardless of their ability to pay. Many FQHCs in Pennsylvania provide contraception and family planning services, and some of these services may be free or low-cost.
Emergency contraception refers to methods of contraception that can be used to prevent pregnancy after sexual intercourse. The two main types are copper IUDs, which must be inserted by a physician, and oral medication, which can be purchased over the counter at a pharmacy.
You can get a birth control prescription in PA by visiting a doctor or a reproductive health clinic. If you already have a prescription, you can transfer it to a company like Pandia Health, which will fill and deliver it to you.
