Yes, most Planned Parenthood health centers accept Medicaid, but coverage and which services are covered depend on your state and your specific Medicaid plan

Planned Parenthood operates health centers in 49 states and Washington, D.C., and the majority of them bill Medicaid directly for services. However, not every location accepts every Medicaid plan, and some rural areas may have Planned Parenthood clinics that do not participate in Medicaid at all. The services Medicaid covers — contraception, cancer screenings, STI testing and treatment, pregnancy care — are the same across most state programs, but the amount Medicaid pays the clinic varies by state, which can affect whether a particular location chooses to participate.

Before you go to an appointment, call the specific Planned Parenthood health center where you plan to receive care. Ask whether they accept your particular Medicaid plan. Many clinics have staff who handle insurance questions and can tell you in one call whether your plan is accepted and what, if anything, you will owe at the visit.

Key Takeaways

  • Most Planned Parenthood health centers accept Medicaid, but you must confirm with the specific location you plan to visit because not all clinics participate.
  • Medicaid covers contraception, cancer screenings, STI testing and treatment, and pregnancy-related care at Planned Parenthood in all states, though the copay or coinsurance you owe may vary.
  • Call the health center directly before your appointment to confirm they accept your Medicaid plan and to ask about any out-of-pocket costs.
  • If your local Planned Parenthood does not accept Medicaid, your state Medicaid program can direct you to other clinics in your area that do.

How to learn about your local Planned Parenthood accepts your Medicaid plan

Start by going to plannedparenthood.org and using the health center locator to find the clinic nearest you. Once you have the address and phone number, call and ask to speak with someone in the billing or insurance department. Have your Medicaid card ready when you call — they will need your member ID number and the name of your Medicaid plan (for example, "Medicaid" or the name of your state's managed care plan if you are enrolled in one).

Tell them what service you need — a contraception visit, cancer screening, STI test, or pregnancy care. Some Planned Parenthood locations accept Medicaid for certain services but not others, though this is uncommon. The staff member can also tell you whether you will owe a copay or coinsurance at the visit, and whether you need a referral from your primary care doctor (most Medicaid plans do not require one for Planned Parenthood services, but some do).

If the health center you called does not accept your Medicaid plan, ask them for a referral to another clinic in your area that does. You can also contact your state Medicaid program directly — the number is on the back of your Medicaid card — and ask them to list clinics near you that accept your plan and offer the service you need.

What Medicaid covers at Planned Parenthood

Medicaid covers the full range of services Planned Parenthood offers: contraception (including birth control pills, patches, IUDs, and implants), cancer screenings (Pap tests and breast exams), STI testing and treatment, pregnancy tests, prenatal care, and miscarriage care. In most states, Medicaid also covers abortion services at Planned Parenthood, though the rules vary significantly by state — some states fund abortion only in cases of rape, incest, or threat to the pregnant person's life, while others do not fund it at all. Check your state's Medicaid program website or call the number on your card to learn what your state covers.

Medicaid does not cover cosmetic services, such as vaginal rejuvenation, or services unrelated to reproductive health. If you need a service that is not listed above, ask the health center whether Medicaid covers it before your visit.

What to bring to your appointment

Bring your Medicaid card and a photo ID. If you have not been to this Planned Parenthood location before, arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to fill out intake paperwork. The clinic will ask about your medical history, current medications, and insurance information. If you are there for a first gynecological exam or cancer screening, the visit may take longer than a follow-up appointment.

If you are unsure whether you will owe money at the visit, ask the front desk when you arrive. Some clinics bill Medicaid after the visit and send you a bill if there is a balance; others collect copays at check-in. Knowing this in advance prevents surprises.

What happens if Planned Parenthood does not accept your Medicaid plan

If your local Planned Parenthood does not accept your Medicaid plan, you have two options: find another clinic that does, or pay out of pocket and submit a claim to Medicaid yourself. The first option is usually simpler. Call your state Medicaid program (the number is on your card) and ask them to list clinics in your area that accept your plan and offer the service you need. Many states have online provider directories you can search yourself.

If you choose to pay out of pocket, keep your receipt and any documentation of what service you received. Some Medicaid plans will reimburse you if you submit a claim with proof of payment, though reimbursement is not may provide and the process can take weeks. Ask your Medicaid plan before you pay whether they will reimburse out-of-network care.

Medicaid managed care plans and Planned Parenthood

Many states have moved Medicaid recipients into managed care plans — private insurance companies that contract with the state to provide Medicaid coverage. If you are enrolled in a managed care plan, your plan may or may not include Planned Parenthood in its network. Call the number on your Medicaid card to find out which plan you are in, then ask whether Planned Parenthood is in-network.

If Planned Parenthood is in-network, you can go there without a referral in most cases. If it is out-of-network, you can still go, but you may owe more money — usually a higher copay or coinsurance. Some managed care plans will cover out-of-network reproductive health services at the same rate as in-network services if there is no in-network provider nearby; ask your plan whether this applies to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a referral from my doctor to go to Planned Parenthood with Medicaid?

Most Medicaid plans do not require a referral for Planned Parenthood services, but some do. Call the number on your Medicaid card and ask. If your plan does require one, contact your primary care doctor's office and ask them to send a referral to the Planned Parenthood location where you plan to go. This usually takes one to three business days.

Will Planned Parenthood tell my parents or insurance company about my visit?

Planned Parenthood keeps your visit confidential. They will not contact your parents or tell your insurance company details about what service you received — they will only bill for the visit itself. However, your Medicaid statement may show that you visited Planned Parenthood; if you live with your parents and they receive the statement, they will see the visit occurred but not what service you had.

What if I do not have my Medicaid card with me at the appointment?

Call the health center before your visit and give them your Medicaid member ID number over the phone so they can look up your information. Bring a photo ID to the appointment. If you cannot provide your member ID, the clinic may ask you to pay out of pocket and submit a claim to Medicaid yourself, or they may reschedule your appointment until you can provide your information.

Can I use Medicaid to pay for abortion at Planned Parenthood?

It depends on your state. Some states fund abortion through Medicaid; others do not, or only fund it in cases of rape, incest, or threat to the pregnant person's life. Call your state Medicaid program or visit their website to learn what your state covers. If your state does not cover abortion, Planned Parenthood can tell you about payment plans or other funding sources that may be available.

What if I am between jobs and lost my Medicaid coverage?

Contact your state Medicaid program to find out whether you can stay on Medicaid during a job transition. Many states have rules that let you keep coverage for a set period after you lose employment-based insurance. If you are no longer covered, Planned Parenthood may offer services on a sliding fee scale based on your income, meaning you pay what you can afford.