Planned Parenthood in Davis opens today

[cos]

I just got this email from PPLM:

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On Wednesday, February 22, Planned Parenthood League of
Massachusetts is opening its first express health center!

Plan: A Planned Parenthood Express Center
Davis Square Plaza
260 Elm Street
Somerville

PLAN will provide patients in the Davis Square area with convenient access to a number of Planned Parenthood's services, including clothes-on consultations with experienced medical professionals. All in 30 minutes. Schedule an appointment or just walk in!

Services

• Birth Control, including the pill, the shot, the ring, the patch, condoms and new methods as they become available.
  
• Emergency Contraception, also known as "the morning after pill."
  
• Pregnancy Testing, with results in less than 30 minutes.
  
• STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) Screening & Treatment, with results for chlamydia and gonorrhea within 10 business days.

Hours
Mon-Fri 11am - 7pm
Sat 10am - 5pm

Walk in any time during business hours or call (617) 616-1600 to schedule an appointment.

Comments

[sasha-bee.livejournal.com]

yay for lowcost healthcare in urban neighborhoods!

Not so low-cost

[mistergoat.livejournal.com]

I called on Friday, and while they said that they were now taking several private insurances, they don't take MassHealth or FreeCare. They hope to in the future, but it didn't sound like it was likely to happen soon (or at least like there was an estimated time when that would happen). And it's not so affordable; I was told that for emergency contraception, it would cost $45 for a consultation and $20 for the pills (not sure what the consultation would involve, but whatever).

I don't want to slam PPLM for this--I know that there's probably lots of bureaucracy for dealing with the state on such things. And if we lived in an advanced democracy, like Canada or anywhere in Europe or South Africa or most anywhere else, this wouldn't be an issue because there'd be universal health care. But the sad fact remains that this awesome new clinic won't be of use to low-income folks, at least for a while. I hope that getting MassHealth is a major priority for them.

There's a good list of some HIV and STD testing locations at http://biresource.org/health/boston_testing_clinics.html , though as a friend points out, you should probably call first to check the loopholes or potential changes in policies.

Re: Not so low-cost

[cold-cold-water.livejournal.com]

they do take mass health and offer sliding scale office visits in their comm ave office.

the consultation involves making sure it's OK to prescribe it for someone. until it's over-the-counter, it's the best they can do. it's only a 15-minute, clothes-on visit.

Re: Not so low-cost

[cold-cold-water.livejournal.com]

also, if you go there for an annual or a birth-control only appt, they automatically put a script for EC in the computer for you if you ever need it -- and they are generous with extending emergency packs if it's been more than a year since your last visit.