Family Planning Navigation Nurse
Family Planning Services at Health Connections Clinic
Emergency Contraception
Pregnancy Testing
Other Family Planning Service Providers
Family Planning Navigation Nurse
We now offer a new kind of service, patient navigation. Patient navigators help individuals locate and use medical services that are affordable, and help apply for public health insurance programs to pay for these services. Our navigators are nurses who can advise you when it may be necessary to seek further medical care. This service is provided at no charge.
We offer help to locate a family planning provider for you. We can also help apply for coverage programs to pay for family planning visits and birth control medicines. Our nurse navigator is happy to discuss your birth control options with you.
How to access Family Planning Navigation:
Call the clinic phone number (517) 541-2630 or (269) 945-9516 x 630 and ask to speak to the Family Planning Navigation Nurse.
Family Planning Services at Health Connections Clinic
Health Connections Clinic is a doctor’s office located at the Health Department. Some family planning services are available at Health Connections for a fee. These include: doctor’s visit to discuss birth control options, pregnancy testing, emergency contraception visits. Services are generally by appointment only. Call Health Connections at 1-800-553-2565 for an appointment. You may need to leave a message, but your call will be returned promptly.
Costs and Fees
All family planning services have a charge, or fee, due at your visit. Sometimes these charges can be covered by your health plan or insurance, Plan First coverage, or Medicaid. Other times we must charge you a fee for these services directly. You will be told what the potential fee is before your appointment.
Confidentiality
Services provided at Health Connections Clinic are confidential for adults over 18. Health Connections Clinic will provide services to those under 18, however these services may not remain confidential to the minor’s parents or guardians. The Family Planning Navigation Nurse can and will refer persons under 18 seeking confidential family planning services to a nearby Title X Family Planning Clinic.
Emergency Contraception
We know that obtaining emergency contraception as quickly as possible after unprotected or unplanned intercourse is important. For those aged 17 and over, emergency contraception is readily available at local pharmacies at the pharmacy counter for approximately $50. Your insurance will often cover this medication, however, if you obtain a physician’s prescription. You may choose to call your own physician or call Health Connections Clinic (1-800-553-2565) to inquire about emergency contraception. For those 16 and younger, we recommend contacting a Title X Family Planning Clinic (if you need help finding one, the Family Planning Navigation Nurse can help you (517) 541-2630 or (269) 945-9516 x 630).
Pregnancy Testing
Think you might be pregnant? Over the counter pregnancy tests (purchased at a local pharmacy) are very accurate in determining pregnancy. Once you know that you have tested positive with a home pregnancy test, you can apply for Medicaid to provide medical insurance to cover your prenatal care, delivery, and recovery care. The Family Planning Navigation Nurse can assist you in applying for Medicaid if you are pregnant.
Health Connections Clinic offers onsite pregnancy testing by appointment. There is a fee associated with this testing that may or may not be covered by your insurance.
Other Family Planning Service Providers
Many women get family planning services from their family doctor or an OB/GYN physician. If you have a low income, you may qualify to get Plan First coverage to pay for these doctors visits and prescription birth control services. www.healthcare4mi.com or contact the Family Planning Navigation Nurse.
Special clinics called Title X Family Planning Clinics get special funding to provide family planning services to teens and low income women. These clinics offer completely confidential services to all women, a payment based on income, and very low cost medicines on-site. BEDHD is not a Title X Family Planning Clinic, but the Family Planning Navigation Nurse will be happy to refer you to the closest clinic to where you live.