the best kept secret in women's health
(Shhh...The secret is a family planning benefits program.)
Early in 2003, a new benefit program came into effect in New York State with little fanfare and almost no publicity. Yet it is one of the brightest spots for women’s reproductive health care during a time when there is little good news about new or expanded government funded programs.
The Family Planning Benefits Program provides insurance that covers a woman’s family planning costs. Eligibility for this free program is based largely on her income. For example, a woman with three other people in her household whose annual income is under $42,400 may be eligible for free family planning services. This benefit can travel from provider to provider and fully covers the costs associated with family planning such as birth control, annual gynecological exam, counseling, sterilization, and preventive screening for cervical and breast cancer, as well as any contraceptive prescription.
Who is eligible for this program? Men and women who are permanent residents of New York State and whose income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty level are both eligible for the program. Minors under the age of 21 can participate regardless of parental income or health insurance status, and their participation is completely confidential.
“This program helps so many women, particularly waitresses, hairdressers, and retail workers who cannot afford health insurance. It’s also great for college students who work part-time jobs and don’t qualify for health insurance,” said Judy Sauer, Medicaid Trainer at Planned Parenthood.
“I’ve had women so grateful for this program that they break down in tears in my office. They are thrilled that someone is helping them get birth control. These women want to be in control of their lives but it’s hard to be completely in control without proper birth control and gynecological care,” said a Financial Assessment Representative at Planned Parenthood.
A recent report from the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals and The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy titled “Perceived Barriers to Contraceptive Use in Youth and Young Adults,” lists the high cost of contraception as a major barrier in preventing unplanned pregnancies in young adults. Yet here in New York State, because of the Family Planning Benefits Program, cost doesn’t need to be a barrier at all.
You can get more information about the Family Planning Benefits Program by going to Planned Parenthood’s website at www.pprsr.org. Just click on the “Low cost/No cost birth control” icon. You will see a complete description of the program and its benefits, an easy screening calculator to see if you qualify for the program, and a list of documents that you will need to bring to enroll in the program. If you would like to talk to someone about the program, just call our toll free help line at 1-866-600-6886. Trained staff on the line are waiting to answer your questions. The help line is also accessible to Spanish speaking callers.
Rick Bartell is the regional director of education and outreach for Planned Parenthood of the Rochester/Syracuse Region. You can reach him by email at rbartell@pprsr.org.
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