Planned Parenthood is not automatically free, but many patients pay little or nothing depending on their income, insurance status, and where they live. The cost of any visit depends on a mix of factors: what service you need, whether you have insurance or Medicaid, and whether you qualify for a sliding-scale discount or a government-funded program.
Who Qualifies for Free Services
The main pathway to free care at Planned Parenthood has historically been Title X, a federal program that funds family planning services for people with low incomes. Under Title X rules, patients with household incomes at or below 100% of the federal poverty level cannot be charged for covered services. For a single person in 2025, that’s roughly $15,650 per year. Patients earning between 101% and 250% of the poverty level receive services on a sliding scale, meaning they pay a reduced fee based on what they can afford. Above 250%, you’re charged the standard rate.
However, the landscape shifted in 2025 when the federal government withheld Title X funding from some Planned Parenthood affiliates. This directly reduced their ability to offer no-cost care to uninsured patients. If you visit a health center that lost Title X funding, the financial assistance available to you may be more limited than it was a year ago.
What Services Cost Without Insurance
Without insurance or financial assistance, Planned Parenthood’s listed prices are comparable to other outpatient clinics. A basic office visit for a new patient with a minor concern runs about $185, while a moderate-complexity visit costs around $365. A wellness exam for someone aged 18 to 39 is listed at $295, and for ages 40 to 64, about $341. STI testing ranges from $0 to $250 depending on how many infections you’re screening for and whether you need a physical exam.
These are undiscounted sticker prices. Most patients don’t pay the full amount. If you qualify for financial assistance based on your income, or if you have any form of insurance, your actual cost will be lower.
How the Sliding Scale Works
Planned Parenthood health centers use a sliding fee scale to reduce costs for patients who can’t afford full price. To find out if you qualify, you’ll be asked to share your household size and income during your appointment. Bring proof of income: a pay stub, tax return, employer letter, or unemployment documentation.
The discount you receive depends on where your income falls relative to the federal poverty level. At the lowest income levels, your visit may be free. As income rises, you pay a gradually increasing share of the cost. Planned Parenthood notes that their ability to provide financial assistance is limited, especially at centers that lost federal funding, so qualifying isn’t guaranteed. If you still can’t cover the full cost after any discount, some locations offer payment plans where 50% is due at your visit and the rest can be paid over time.
Insurance and Medicaid Coverage
If you have private health insurance, Planned Parenthood bills your plan like any other medical provider. Most preventive services, including birth control, annual wellness exams, and many STI screenings, are covered at no out-of-pocket cost under the Affordable Care Act’s preventive care mandate. You’d only pay for services your plan doesn’t fully cover.
Medicaid is where things get more complicated. Normally, Medicaid covers the full cost of family planning and other health services at Planned Parenthood. But federal policy changes in 2025 restricted Medicaid reimbursements to some Planned Parenthood affiliates. Eleven states have stepped in to fill the gap: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maine, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, and Washington. These states have committed state funding so that Medicaid patients can continue receiving fully covered care at Planned Parenthood locations. In states that haven’t backfilled this funding, Medicaid patients may face new barriers or need to seek care elsewhere.
State-Specific Programs
Some states run their own family planning programs that cover Planned Parenthood visits regardless of federal funding changes. Washington state, for example, offers a program called Family Planning Only that provides free birth control to residents who are uninsured, not eligible for Medicaid, or need confidential care due to intimate partner violence or being under 18. To qualify, your income must be at or below 260% of the federal poverty level.
The difference between states can be dramatic. In California, there are no restrictions on public funding for abortion or family planning, and most patients with Medicaid or state-funded coverage pay nothing. In Texas, public funding for abortion is available only in cases of life endangerment, rape, or incest, and private insurance plans purchased on the marketplace can’t cover abortion at all. Research comparing the two states found that nearly half of Texas patients seeking abortions had to sell belongings or delay other bills to cover costs, compared to about 11% in California. Texas patients were also far less likely to have any health insurance at the time of their visit (54% insured versus 84% in California).
What This Means for Your Visit
Before scheduling, call your local Planned Parenthood and ask what financial assistance is currently available. The answer will depend on your specific health center, your state, and whether that location still receives federal or state funding. Here’s a quick way to think about your likely cost:
- You have Medicaid in one of the 11 states backfilling funds: Your visit is likely covered at no cost.
- You have private insurance: Preventive services like birth control and STI screening are typically covered with no copay. Other services depend on your plan.
- You’re uninsured with very low income: You may qualify for free or heavily discounted care through the sliding scale, though availability varies by location.
- You’re uninsured with moderate income: Expect reduced fees on a sliding scale, with full price possible above 250% of the poverty level.
- You’re in a state without expanded funding: Financial assistance may be limited. Ask about payment plans, and look into local abortion funds or nonprofit assistance programs if you need help covering a specific procedure.
The bottom line: Planned Parenthood is designed to be affordable, not universally free. Your actual cost can range from zero to several hundred dollars, and the single biggest factor is your income level combined with where you live.