For Iowans in need of birth control, it can be confusing to know where to turn for high-quality, affordable care that is right for you. Title X family planning clinics can simplify the process of accessing birth control by helping you understand all of your options and providing the services you need to stay healthy. Because these clinics receive federal grant funding, you can access high-quality reproductive care and services at a cost you can afford.
Find a Title X clinic near you!
What types of birth control do Title X clinics provide?
Clinics offer a wide range of birth control to their patients, from contraception like a pill or patch to longer-acting methods like intrauterine devices, so you can pick the method that is best for your unique situation. Different providers may have different birth control options available to you depending on the location you visit. However, you can always speak to your Title X clinic to find out which types of birth control they offer. Since some forms of birth control might be right for one person but not another, your provider will help you to better understand all of your options based on your individual needs and preferences. If your clinic does not carry your preferred method, your clinician can help you find an office that provides that method or prescribe a contraceptive to you through a pharmacy.
What if I don’t have health insurance?
Part of the intended purpose of Title X is to provide birth control and reproductive services to people who otherwise could not afford it. According to a Guttmacher study, an estimated 21 million women were likely in need of publicly funded contraceptive services in 2016, either because they had an income below 250 percent of the federal poverty level, or because they needed to obtain care without depending on their private insurance.
Because our clinics receive funding through the Title X program, it allows us to provide you with reproductive health services, including birth control, at an affordable cost. If you are enrolled in Medicaid or if your income is below 100 percent of the poverty level, your care at a Title X clinic will be completely free. While our clinics take multiple types of insurance, and patients are always encouraged to utilize their insurance plan if they have it, you will never be turned away due to your inability to pay for care.
Can I Receive Birth Control Without Telling My Parent/Guardian?
If you are a teen, you can still receive birth control without your parents’ knowledge. The Title X family planning program allows teens to take control of their health by confidentially providing services like birth control, STI testing, pregnancy testing, and other reproductive health care. At your visit with your provider, you are guaranteed to be taken care of without your parents being notified by the clinic. Federal law prohibits Title X clinics from discussing your visit or acknowledging that you received care unless you give them permission, so you can stay in control of who knows about your health.
Even though Title X allows you to keep your visits private, your provider will talk to you about how to address your sexual health as a teen, including ways to involve your parents in your health. Read more about Title X confidentiality for teens.
What should I expect from my visit to a Title X clinic?
Your provider wants to ensure you are receiving the highest quality care and staying informed about your reproductive health. If you are visiting a Title X clinic to receive birth control, your provider will talk with you about your specific situation to help determine which method of contraception is best for you. Every provider you see at a Title X clinic will give care according to the most recent and recommended evidence-based standards during your visit. This includes up-to-date information on providing contraceptive care, pregnancy testing, STI screening, and more. Depending on your age, you may receive a health examination and breast and cervical cancer screening as part of your visit. Your provider is also available to be a resource to you and answer any questions you may have, so you can stay informed about your sexual health.
Use our clinic locator to find a Title X clinic near you and set up an appointment, or contact us for more information on how we can help you!