Planned Parenthood Direct launches in Michigan, increasing access to care across the state

App allows patients to access birth control, UTI treatment from home

Ann Arbor – Planned Parenthood of Michigan (PPMI) has expanded its high quality health care to include online health services, allowing patients to access the care they need while staying safe and minimizing exposure to coronavirus.

“We know that sexual and reproductive health care can’t wait. Everyone is facing challenges and new stresses right now – getting your birth control or treatment for a UTI doesn’t have to be one of them,” said Lori Carpentier, President & CEO of Planned Parenthood of Michigan. “We’re doing everything we can to make it safe and easy for Michiganders to get the care they need.”

All Michiganders can now access care from PPMI’s trusted, expert clinicians using Planned Parenthood Direct. The app can be downloaded to mobile phones or other devices, allowing patients to get birth control or treatment for urinary tract infections (UTIs) without having to leave the comfort and safety of their home.

The app offers the same care patients are accustomed to during an in-person visit at one of our health centers. Technology improves the ease of communication between the patient and a provider, and minimizes barriers to care such as time, transportation, child care, and the availability to go to a health center appointment, all of which can delay or prevent patients from obtaining the health care they need. 

With the Planned Parenthood Direct app, users now have access to low-cost contraception and UTI services.

Users can download the app for free from the Android and iOS app stores to request an annual prescription for birth control or treatment for a UTI. The app also offers information about the benefits, side-effects, and efficacy of other methods.

Here’s how it works — app users answer a few questions related to their health history securely through the app. A Planned Parenthood medical provider reviews the information according to established evidence-based protocols. Based on their health history, if the user is eligible to receive care online, the provider writes the prescription within one business day.

Patients can choose to pick up their prescriptions from a nearby pharmacy or have them delivered directly to their home. They can also sign up for automatic refills for the whole year.

• Patients must be 14 years of age or older for birth control and 18 years of age or older for UTI service.
• Patients who opt to pick up their prescription at a pharmacy may use insurance coverage. Pills delivered by mail cannot be covered by insurance at this time when using Planned Parenthood Direct. 
• Visit fees are $25. The fee is waived for patients who select birth control pills delivered by mail.
• Cost for birth control pills:  $25 per pack when delivered by mail. At the pharmacy, costs vary based on insurance.
• Cost for UTI medication at the pharmacy: $0-$50 based on your insurance.
• Pay with credit, debit, or prepaid card.
• Users can also make a health center appointment.
• Delivery time: 2-3 days.
• Automatic refills for 1 year.

To download the app or learn more, head to plannedparenthooddirect.org.