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Contact: Jesse Lawder, [email protected], 314-755-0944

ST. LOUIS — In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri (PPSLRSWMO) is proud to announce the launch of a new telehealth program in Missouri, which expands the ways patients can access high-quality, affordable health care services.

Starting April 9, PPSLRSWMO will begin phasing in services available without coming into a health center, beginning with patients seeking birth control or patients with urinary tract infections. The first remote services will be available using the mobile application PP Direct, and patients seeking access to birth control can schedule a phone appointment with one of Planned Parenthood’s trusted providers. Over the coming weeks PPSLRSWMO will continue to expand telehealth, offering additional services by video, giving Planned Parenthood patients more ways to access care than ever before.

“Access to health care is difficult or sometimes impossible for so many Missourians,” said Yamelsie Rodríguez, President and CEO of PPSLRSWMO. “We are proud to now offer health services to Missourians uninhibited by geography.”

Through telehealth, patients can access services with fewer visits or without needing to visit a health center at all. Planned Parenthood staff are available to answer patients’ questions, help them manage prescriptions, and help address their sexual and reproductive health care needs remotely.

“In these uncertain times, we're committed to connecting patients to care — no matter what,” Rodriguez added.

Patients seeking birth control who choose the pill, patch, or ring will be able to access them remotely through the PP Direct app. Patients with a urinary tract infection will also be able to get treatment without ever stepping foot into a health center through the application.

In addition, patients accessing birth control can get it by scheduling a phone appointment with Planned Parenthood staff at 314-531-7526. These birth control appointments are available whether or not a patient has insurance. Those who are uninsured or underinsured may also qualify for free birth control using this phone service.

“We know that your sexual and reproductive health care can’t wait. As we weather this challenging time together, people shouldn’t have to worry about running out of birth control or any other issues around their sexual and reproductive health,” said PPSLRSWMO Vice President of Patient Services April Mickens Jolly. "Planned Parenthood is doing everything we can to use technology and innovation to reach people with the health care and information they need, when they need it.”

Planned Parenthood encourages everyone to follow the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local public health officials to reduce their risk of getting any respiratory virus or spreading one to others. This includes washing your hands often with soap and water, avoiding close contact with people who are sick, and practicing social distancing if COVID-19 is spreading in your community.

The safety and health of patients, staff, and our broader communities remains our highest priority as our country faces an unprecedented public health crisis. Self-isolation and social distancing are ways we can care for ourselves and each other. Our health is connected, and we can all do our part and take care of ourselves, our health, and our community.

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Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri has provided high-quality, supportive health care in the region since 1932. They are the area leaders in sexual and reproductive health care, providing contraception, cancer screenings, STD testing and treatment, education and more to tens of thousands of people each year.

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