Frequently Asked Questions: Patients

Unfortunately, no. As of June 2022, Texas has one of the most extreme abortion bans in the United States, outlawing abortion in nearly all cases. Abortion is important, time-sensitive, life-saving healthcare. Learn more about the Texas ban on abortion and resources for this care. 

Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas is your go-to source for reproductive and sexual healthcare, regardless of who you are or who you love. Visit our healthcare services page for a comprehensive list and description of all services available at our health centers, virtual health center and via the Planned Parenthood Direct app. Some services, such as LEEP, colposcopy, and ultrasounds for gestational dating are only available at some health centers due to the enhanced training and equipment necessary to provide that care. Call us at 1-800-230-PLAN or visit the individual health center service listings online to confirm availability of services in your area.  

Planned Parenthood accepts most major insurance types. Read more on our insurance and payment options page to see if your insurance coverage is listed.   

At Planned Parenthood, we believe that cost shouldn't be a barrier to great healthcare. If you're uninsured but don't qualify for state or federal programs, you might be eligible for low or no-cost services based on your income or other eligibility requirements. Contact your local health center directly to find out if you qualify for financial help and discuss the potential costs for the services you seek. Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas also accepts most major insurance providers. Learn more about payment and insurance options at Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas. 

Thanks to generous donors, we have financial assistance programs that may help reduce the cost of your care. Please call your local health center to see what funding assistance is available in your area and whether you will need to bring any required documents to determine eligibility for that assistance. 

One of the best things about being a Planned Parenthood patient is how quickly we can address your healthcare needs. Our health centers often have same-day and next-day appointments available and expanded evening and weekend hours (in some locations). In addition to health center appointments, telemed options make many of our services available from the comfort of home. Make an appointment at the Greater Texas Virtual Health Center or download the Planned Parenthood Direct app for telemed care.

That’s ok! There is no charge for canceling an appointment. We just ask that you let us know ASAP so we can make your appointment time available to other patients. Call the health center directly where your appointment was supposed to be and let them know you can’t make it. If you made your appointment online, you can also cancel and reschedule through our online appointment system. We want to be sure you get the healthcare you need, so be sure to reschedule for a time and day that works better for you.

Fasting is not required for the typical tests and screenings offered at Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas health centers. If you have questions or concerns about the tests and/or screenings you’ll have at Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas, you can contact your care team via your patient portal account or by calling your local Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas health center.   

Test results are available within 2-7 business days and can be provided to you in two ways: via phone and your patient portal account. We normally only reach out by phone if your results are abnormal, and we need to discuss next steps to take care of your health. To ensure you get timely test results, please be sure to:  

• Set up your patient portal account.
• If you need assistance with this, please call your local PPGT health center. 

Provide us with a current, working phone number where you can safely receive phone calls from our health center team. Please be sure your voicemail is set up and able to accept new messages in case we cannot reach you.   

Like other healthcare providers, Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas provides prescriptions for medication for a wide variety of needs. Some prescriptions can be filled through our in-house pharmacies and we also work with your preferred pharmacy. Note that Texas pharmacy law requires that a new prescription be written every 365 days (about 12 months). That means we will need to see you once a year to renew your prescription for birth control or other routine medication. 

In some cases, yes. Gender affirming hormone therapy is only available for patients ages 18 and up at Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas health centers. Services such as STD testing and treatment and pregnancy testing do not require parent/guardian permission for patients under 18 (minors), while other services such as birth control does require parent/guardian permission for patients under 18. Read more about services for minors at Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas at our Info for Teens and Parents page.

All Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas health centers have secure, on-site parking available and are usually located near public transportation stops. If you have questions about parking or getting to one of our health centers, please contact Your local Planned Parenthood health center directly for assistance.

If you have a patient portal account, you’re welcome to send us a secure message. If you do not have a patient portal account or are a new patient, please call your local health center and a team member can help.