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

Figuring out how to pay your Planned Parenthood bill can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! As someone who has been in your shoes, I totally understand the confusion and anxiety around healthcare billing That’s why I’ve put together this comprehensive guide walking you through the entire Planned Parenthood billing and payment process step-by-step

Whether you just left your appointment and want to know what to expect next or you’ve already received your bill in the mail and aren’t sure what to do – I’ve got you covered. By the end paying your Planned Parenthood bill will feel like a breeze!

Confirm If Your Insurance Was Billed

The first thing you’ll want to do is confirm whether or not Planned Parenthood billed your insurance company.

When you checked in for your appointment, you should have provided your insurance card and filled out any required paperwork. Assuming this information was complete, Planned Parenthood will submit a claim to your insurer seeking reimbursement for the services provided.

However, keep in mind billing insurance is not a guarantee of coverage. We’ll dig more into what to do if insurance doesn’t cover your full balance later.

Review The Bill Details Carefully

Once you receive your bill look it over closely and make sure to note

• Date of service – This should match up with the appointment date.
• Patient name & address – Ensure your name and address are correct.
• Service description – Verify the service descriptions match the care you received.
• Charges breakdown – The itemized list should clearly state the cost of each service rendered.
• Total balance due – This is the full amount you owe Planned Parenthood.
• Due date – The date full payment is expected by.

If any part of the bill seems amiss, don’t hesitate to contact Planned Parenthood’s billing department right away to get inaccuracies fixed. It’s much easier to clear up issues now versus after you’ve already paid.

Understand Your Payment Options

Once you’ve validated everything on your Planned Parenthood bill is accurate, it’s time to figure out how to pay it. You have several options:

Pay The Full Balance Now

To take care of your bill in one fell swoop, you can pay the total amount due immediately by:

• Cash – Visit your local health center and pay at the front desk by cash or money order. Ensure you get a receipt.
• Check – Mail a check or money order to the address printed on your billing statement. Include your account number on the check memo line.
• Credit/Debit Card – Call the billing number on your statement or pay online via Planned Parenthood’s patient portal.

Paying the full balance as soon as possible is the easiest way to resolve your bill quickly and avoid late fees.

Set Up A Payment Plan

If you can’t afford to pay your Planned Parenthood bill in a single payment, a payment plan allows you to spread costs over several months. Contact the billing department to discuss monthly payment amount options and set up automatic payments from a bank account or credit card.

Just be sure to pay the agreed upon monthly payments on time to avoid penalties. And aim to have the balance paid off within 6 months.

Apply For Financial Assistance

Planned Parenthood is committed to keeping healthcare affordable and will work with you if costs are a barrier. You may qualify to have part or all of your bill covered through financial assistance programs based on your:

• Income level
• Family/household size
• State of residence
• Eligibility for other low-income programs like Medicaid

To begin the application process, ask to speak to a financial counselor at your local health center or billing department. Be ready to provide documentation to verify your financial situation.

If approved for aid, you’ll only need to pay the revised balance or potentially nothing at all.

Don’t Delay – Late Fees Apply

However you choose to take care of your Planned Parenthood bill, make sure to do so by the due date printed on your statement. Like most healthcare providers, late payments typically incur the following penalties:

• 5% late fee – A 5% fee will be tacked on if payment is 30 days late.
• 25% late fee – The fee bumps up to 20% if payment is 60+ days late.
• Sent to collections – Accounts over 120 days late are sent to an outside collections agency. This damages your credit score.
• Service refusal – Patients with unpaid balances may be denied future service until old bills are addressed.

Avoid headaches and credit impacts by handling your bill in a timely manner. And if something comes up that will cause payment delays, get ahead of it by proactively contacting Planned Parenthood billing to make arrangements.

Ask Questions & Seek Support

Navigating healthcare billing can be really confusing, especially when it comes to a sensitive provider like Planned Parenthood. Please know you don’t have to figure it out alone!

Planned Parenthood’s billing team is there for you every step of the way. Never feel shy about calling and asking questions or seeking an alternative payment solution if needed.

You can also always reach out to me! I know firsthand how stressful medical billing can be. Please feel free to reply to this article with any specific questions. I’ll do my best to respond with helpful information so you get the care you deserve.

You’ve got this! Just take it step-by-step. Before you know it, your Planned Parenthood bill will be paid and one less thing to worry about. Billing issues affect so many of us but try not to let it discourage you from prioritizing your health. Stay strong and know there are people rooting for you!