While Planned Parenthood is known for the high-quality care it strives to give its patients,it’s also known for its sometimes frustrating appointment system and long waiting room times.
In order to provide patients care that is quicker and accessible in a convenient way, Planned Parenthood has unveiled a new service in certain states through which you can consult with a clinician over video chat to figure out which birth control is right for you (and have it delivered to you ASAP).
Patients who want to discuss and choose the best birth control methods for them first have to download the Planned Parenthood Care app, which is available to Apple and Android users. Once you add basic information about yourself to your account, you simply tap to connect with an available care provider from what resembles a buddy list — no appointment necessary.
According to Planned Parenthood, each visit should take around 15 minutes and costs $45 (the service doesn’t currently accept insurance). Once you decide which method you want, the care provider will fill out your prescription and have it delivered right to your door. Don’t worry, you won’t have to deal with the awkwardness of picking up a package that has ‘Planned Parenthood’ plastered all over it in big letters —they’ll send it to you in discreet packaging.
“Every generation of women is different from their mothers,” Sarah Stoesz, Planned Parenthood CEO in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota, told the Huffington Post. “What’s different about the current generation of young women is that they live a whole lot of their lives online.” So in order to better serve the current generation of young women, Planned Parenthood is adapting to the times by offering extra convenience and privacy, all in an online setting. According to the Huffington Post, PP plans to expand the service to include STI consultations. Plus, it plans to add new states to its service area.
Though the service is currently only available in Minnesota and Washington state, we have a sense it will soon expand, hopefully to all states, so patients all over can easily pick up their iPads or log onto their computers and seek care in the comfort of their homes.
What do you think of the Planned Parenthood Care app, collegiettes? Tell us in the comments!