Yes, Planned Parenthood offers payment plans for many services
Planned Parenthood health centers can set up a payment plan if you cannot pay the full cost of your visit upfront. The specifics depend on which health center you visit and what service you need — there is no single national payment plan. Most centers will work with you to break your bill into smaller monthly payments rather than turn you away, but you have to ask about it when you call or arrive for your appointment.
Payment plans at Planned Parenthood are separate from their sliding scale fees. A sliding scale means the center charges you based on your income — lower income means lower cost. A payment plan means you pay the amount owed (whether that is the full price or a reduced sliding scale price) in installments instead of all at once. You may be offered one, both, or neither, depending on your situation and your local center's policies.
Key Takeaways
- Each Planned Parenthood health center sets its own payment plan terms, so you need to contact your local center directly to learn what they offer.
- Sliding scale fees (based on income) and payment plans (spreading cost over time) are different tools that may be combined.
- You should mention cost concerns when you schedule your appointment or as soon as you arrive, before services are provided.
- Payment plans typically do not require a credit check or affect your credit score, unlike retail payment plans.
How to ask about a payment plan at your local center
Call the health center where you plan to go and tell them you need to discuss payment options. Have your income information ready if you think you may may have access to for a sliding scale fee. The staff member can tell you whether that center offers payment plans, what the monthly payment would be, and how many months you would have to pay.
If you do not know which center is nearest you, visit plannedparenthood.org and use their health center locator. Enter your zip code and you will see a list of centers with phone numbers. Call during business hours — most centers are open weekdays and some offer weekend hours.
What happens if you cannot afford the payment plan either
If the monthly payment is still too high, tell the center staff. Some centers have additional funds or can refer you to local nonprofits that help pay for reproductive health care. A few states and cities also have their own programs that cover some or all costs for people below certain income levels — your local center may know about these.
If you are under 18, some centers have different payment policies or can connect you with resources specific to minors. Ask about this when you call.
What services are covered by payment plans
Most routine services — birth control, STI testing and treatment, cancer screenings, general exams — can be put on a payment plan. Abortion services have different cost structures and payment policies that vary widely by state and by center. If you need an abortion, ask specifically about payment options when you call, because the answer may be different from other services.
Some specialized services or referrals to outside providers may not be available on a payment plan through the center itself, though the center may still help you find other payment options.
Payment plan terms and what to expect
Planned Parenthood does not use a standard payment plan format across all centers. One center might offer three months to pay, another might offer six. Some may require a down payment at your visit; others may not. There is no interest charged on Planned Parenthood payment plans — you pay only the service cost, divided by the number of months.
You will likely need to provide your name, address, and phone number so the center can contact you about payments. You do not need a credit card or bank account to set up a payment plan, though the center may ask how you prefer to pay (cash, check, card, or online). Missing a payment usually does not result in collection action the way a retail payment plan might — the center will contact you to reschedule payment — but ask about their specific policy when you set up the plan.
Sliding scale fees and how they work with payment plans
Planned Parenthood uses a sliding scale based on your household income and family size. The lower your income, the lower your cost. You will be asked to provide proof of income — recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer are common. If you receive benefits like SNAP or Medicaid, that counts as proof of income too.
Once your sliding scale fee is set, that is the amount you owe. A payment plan then lets you pay that amount over time instead of in one visit. For example, if your sliding scale fee is $60 and you set up a three-month plan, you would pay $20 per month.
If you have insurance
If you have health insurance, Planned Parenthood will bill your insurance first. You are responsible for your copay, coinsurance, or deductible — the amount your insurance does not cover. A payment plan can explore to that out-of-pocket amount if you cannot pay it upfront.
Some people choose not to use their insurance at a Planned Parenthood visit because they want privacy — they do not want the visit to show up on a bill their family member might see. If you choose to pay out of pocket instead of using insurance, you can still ask about sliding scale fees and payment plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a Planned Parenthood payment plan hurt my credit score?
No. Planned Parenthood payment plans do not report to credit bureaus, so they will not show up on your credit report or affect your credit score. This is different from retail payment plans, which may be reported.
Can I set up a payment plan before my appointment?
Most centers prefer you to discuss payment when you schedule your appointment or when you arrive. Some may allow you to set it up by phone, but policies vary. Call your local center to ask.
What if I miss a payment?
Contact the center and let them know. They will usually work with you to reschedule the payment rather than send you to collections. Tell them when ready if your situation has changed and you need to adjust the payment amount.
Do all Planned Parenthood centers offer payment plans?
Most do, but not all. Some very small centers or those in areas with high insurance coverage may have different policies. The only way to know for certain is to call your local center and ask.
Can I use a payment plan if I am uninsured?
Yes. In fact, uninsured patients are often the ones who use payment plans and sliding scale fees. You will still need to provide income information for the sliding scale, but you do not need insurance to set up a payment plan.