How to Pay Your Planned Parenthood Bill: A Step-By-Step Guide

Paying your Planned Parenthood bill ensures you get the care you need However, their billing process can seem complicated This article will walk you through everything you need to know to pay your Planned Parenthood bill smoothly.

Overview of Planned Parenthood Billing

Planned Parenthood aims to make healthcare accessible and affordable. They accept various insurance plans and offer financial assistance programs. However, navigating billing can still cause confusion.

Here’s an overview of key things to know:

• Insurance – Planned Parenthood accepts many insurance plans, including Medicaid. If you have insurance, provide your card at your appointment. Planned Parenthood will bill your insurance directly.

• Sliding fee scale – If you’re uninsured, Planned Parenthood offers discounts based on income and family size. You must provide income verification to qualify.

• Upfront payments – Uninsured patients must pay upfront. The amount depends on the services you receive. Expect to pay about $35 for STI testing or $300-500 for an abortion.

• Billing timelines – You’ll get a bill for any balance due after insurance within a few weeks of your visit. Payment is due upon receipt.

• Online payments – Planned Parenthood prefers online payments through their patient portal. You can also call to make a payment.

• Financial assistance – If you can’t afford your bill, Planned Parenthood offers payment plans and financial aid based on need. You must apply separately for assistance.

Now let’s walk through the billing and payment process in detail.

Checking if Your Insurance is Accepted

The first step is verifying if Planned Parenthood takes your insurance. Here’s how:

• Visit the insurance page on Planned Parenthood’s website.

• Select your state. This will show a list of accepted insurance plans for that state.

• Search for your insurance company. If listed, your plan is accepted.

• If your plan isn’t listed, call Planned Parenthood to ask if they take your specific plan.

Some key things to note about insurance:

• Accepted plans vary by state and local health center. Always verify coverage for your specific location.

• Planned Parenthood takes Medicaid and most major insurance plans like Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, etc.

• They accept some marketplace health plans purchased under the Affordable Care Act.

• Medicare and military insurance like Tricare are generally not accepted.

• Different services may be covered at different rates. For example, STI testing may be covered but abortions often are not.

Calling ahead about your particular insurance is the best way to confirm coverage. This will prevent surprises when you get your bill.

Using Insurance to Pay

If Planned Parenthood takes your insurance, paying with it is straightforward:

1. Bring your insurance card to your appointment. Have your insurance ID number ready too. Tell the staff you want to bill your insurance.

2. Planned Parenthood verifies your coverage. They will make sure the services you want are covered under your plan.

3. Receive care as normal. The doctor or nurse will explain any out-of-pocket costs you may owe based on your insurance benefits. This is often called patient responsibility.

4. Planned Parenthood bills the insurance company. They take care of submitting the claim on your behalf.

5. The insurance company pays its share. How much they cover depends on your specific plan.

6. You get a bill for your portion. This is the patient responsibility fee reviewed at your visit. Amounts under $15 may be collected upfront instead.

7. Pay the bill by the due date. Online payment through the patient portal is preferred.

That’s it! Handing your card over and letting Planned Parenthood deal with the insurance company makes the process very easy.

Paying the Uninsured Patient Rate Upfront

If you don’t have insurance, you’ll need to pay the uninsured patient rate upfront. Here’s how it works:

1. Ask what the uninsured rate is for your services. The front desk staff can check this for you. Expect to pay:

• $35-50 for STI/HIV testing

• $100-200 for birth control, like an IUD or implant

• $300-500 for an abortion

2. Pay the upfront amount before receiving services. Planned Parenthood accepts cash, credit or debit cards, and money orders.

3. The upfront fee covers most charges. This single payment takes care of the total uninsured patient rate.

4. You’ll get a bill later for any additional costs. This might include extra lab work or medications. The bill comes after your visit when the final charges are tallied.

5. Pay the full bill promptly. There are no installments or payment plans for uninsured patients. The full balance is due at once.

6. Ask about financial aid if needed. Uninsured patients with low incomes may qualify for discounts or fee waivers.

Coming prepared to pay the standard uninsured rates helps the visit go smoothly. Also budget a bit extra to cover potential additional fees on the final bill.

Applying for the Sliding Fee Discount

If you’re uninsured but can’t afford the upfront rates, Planned Parenthood’s sliding fee scale may help. This income-based discount lowers the cost of services. To get the sliding fee rate:

1. Ask for a discount application. Forms are available at the health center or online.

2. Provide income documentation. This may include recent pay stubs, tax forms, unemployment letters, etc.

3. Planned Parenthood approves or denies the application. You’ll get a written decision in the mail. Approval is good for one year.

4. Pay the discounted rate if approved. The sliding fee rate depends on your income but can be as low as free. You must pay this new amount upfront before receiving services.

5. Complete a new application annually. Your income will be re-verified each year to renew the sliding fee discount.

6. Speak up if your income changes. The discount is based on your current ability to pay. Inform Planned Parenthood if your financial situation worsens during the year to see if you qualify for a lower rate.

The sliding fee program makes Planned Parenthood affordable for the uninsured. Be sure to ask about it if the standard rates would pose a hardship.

What to Do if You Get a Bill

About 2-3 weeks after your visit, you’ll receive a bill for any amount you still owe. This might include:

• Patient responsibility fees not collected upfront
• Additional charges beyond the uninsured rate
• Any balance insurance didn’t cover

To handle the bill correctly:

1. Review the bill for accuracy. Confirm it matches the services you received. Report any discrepancies immediately.

2. Pay the balance promptly. Payment is due as soon as you receive the bill. Planned Parenthood expects fast payment.

3. Pay online if possible. The patient portal offers quick and secure online payments. You can also call to pay by phone.

4. Ask about financial assistance if needed. Planned Parenthood may offer payment plans or fee reductions for those struggling to pay. You must request aid.

5. Expect collection action if you don’t pay. Unpaid bills may be sent to collections within a few months, negatively impacting your credit.

It’s crucial to pay or arrange aid immediately upon getting your bill. Planned Parenthood moves quickly to collect unpaid balances.

Payment Plan or Financial Assistance Options

If your bill seems impossible to pay all at once, Planned Parenthood has some relief options:

Payment plans allow you to pay your balance in installments over 1-6 months. Interest isn’t charged. To request a payment plan, call the billing department.

Financial aid provides discounts for uninsured patients based on financial need. Those at or below 150% of the federal poverty level may get their bill reduced or eliminated. You must apply separately from the sliding fee scale.

Collections forgiveness is available if you’ve made efforts to pay but your overdue bill has been sent to collections. Planned Parenthood requires you set up affordable monthly payments to remove it from collections.

Don’t just ignore a large bill. Communicate with Planned Parenthood’s billing team to find a solution. They want to help you pay your balance.

Avoiding Billing Issues and Surprises

To keep your billing experience positive, proactively avoid potential problems. Here are some tips:

• Get cost