What Planned Parenthood Does
Planned Parenthood is a national network of health centers that provide sexual and reproductive health services, including STD testing, contraception, cancer screenings, and pregnancy-related care. The organization operates over 600 health centers across the United States. Each center is independently run but follows Planned Parenthood's clinical standards.
If you arrived here from the STD testing section, Planned Parenthood offers testing for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, herpes, and HPV at most locations. You do not need insurance, and many centers offer services on a sliding fee scale based on your income. Some services are free depending on where you live and what you earn.
Planned Parenthood also handles results confidentially. You can usually get tested without a parent's knowledge if you are a minor, though state laws vary on what age you can consent to testing alone. The organization publishes its state-by-state confidentiality rules on its website.
Key Takeaways
- Planned Parenthood operates over 600 health centers nationwide and offers STD testing, contraception, cancer screenings, and pregnancy services at most locations.
- You can receive testing without insurance, and many centers use a sliding fee scale so you pay based on your income.
- Results are kept confidential, and minors can often receive testing and treatment without parental consent, though the rules depend on your state.
- You can find your nearest center and book an appointment through Planned Parenthood's website or by calling 1-800-230-7526.
How to Find a Planned Parenthood Location
The fastest way to locate a health center near you is to visit plannedparenthood.org and enter your zip code into the location finder. The search shows you the address, phone number, hours, and which services each center offers. Not every location provides every service — some centers focus on contraception and cancer screenings, while others have full STD testing labs on-site.
You can also call 1-800-230-7526 to speak with someone who can direct you to the nearest center and tell you what services are available there. This is useful if you want to confirm that the location you found does STD testing before you travel there.
When you call or visit, ask whether you need an appointment or whether the center accepts walk-ins. Many locations take both, but hours for walk-in testing vary. Some centers reserve certain hours for appointments only.
What to Bring and How Testing Works
Bring a photo ID and proof of income if you want the center to calculate your fee on a sliding scale. Proof of income can be a recent pay stub, tax return, or a letter from your employer. If you do not have proof, the center can ask you verbal questions about your income and use that to set your fee.
You do not need to bring insurance, but if you have it, bring your card. The center can bill your insurance if you want, though you can also pay out of pocket to keep the visit off your insurance record. Paying out of pocket does not affect your coverage or rates.
The testing itself depends on what you are being tested for. For chlamydia and gonorrhea, you usually provide a urine sample or the clinician takes a swab. For HIV, syphilis, and herpes, you may have blood drawn. The clinician will explain what to expect before the test begins.
Cost and Payment Options
Planned Parenthood uses a sliding fee scale, meaning the cost depends on your household income and family size. The scale ranges from free to several hundred dollars for a full STD panel, depending on your income level and location. Centers in different states and cities set their own fees within Planned Parenthood's guidelines.
When you call or arrive, ask the center what the fee will be for the specific test you need. They will ask about your income to calculate it. If you cannot afford the fee they quote, tell them — many centers have additional resources or can refer you to other testing options in your area.
Payment methods vary by location. Most accept cash, card, and checks. Some locations also accept payment plans if the cost is high. Ask when you schedule your appointment.
How Long Results Take
Results timing depends on the test. Urine tests for chlamydia and gonorrhea usually come back in three to seven days. Blood tests for HIV, syphilis, and herpes can take anywhere from a few days to two weeks, depending on whether the center runs the test in-house or sends it to a lab.
When you finish testing, ask the center how you will get your results — by phone, email, patient portal, or in person. Some centers call you; others require you to call them. Planned Parenthood keeps results confidential and will not share them with anyone else without your written permission.
If your test is positive, the center will discuss next steps with you, including treatment options and partner notification. You can ask questions about what a positive result means and what happens next.
Confidentiality and Privacy
Planned Parenthood keeps all patient information private. Your test results, visit history, and any treatment you receive will not be shared with your parents, employer, school, or insurance company without your written permission — with rare exceptions for certain reportable diseases required by law.
Minors can receive STD testing and treatment confidentially in most states. Some states require parental consent for minors under a certain age, while others allow minors to consent on their own. Planned Parenthood's website lists the confidentiality rules for your specific state under "Know Your Rights."
If you pay out of pocket instead of using insurance, there is no record of your visit on your insurance statement. This is one way to keep the visit completely private if you are concerned about someone seeing a bill.
What Happens If Your Test Is Positive
If you test positive for an STD, the clinician will discuss treatment with you. Most bacterial STDs like chlamydia and gonorrhea are curable with antibiotics. Viral STDs like herpes and HIV are manageable with medication but not curable. The center will explain your options and answer your questions.
You will also be asked whether you want to notify your sexual partner or partners. Planned Parenthood can help you figure out how to do this, or in some cases the health department can notify partners confidentially if you prefer. Notifying partners is important so they can get tested and treated.
The center may also discuss prevention for future encounters, including condoms, PrEP (a medication that prevents HIV), and regular testing schedules. You can ask for resources on any of these topics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need insurance to get tested at Planned Parenthood?
No. You can receive testing without insurance and pay on a sliding fee scale based on your income. If you have insurance and want to use it, you can, but you can also pay out of pocket to keep the visit private.
Can I get tested if I am under 18?
Yes. In most states, minors can receive STD testing and treatment without parental consent. A few states have different rules, so check Planned Parenthood's state-specific confidentiality guide on its website or call your local center to confirm.
How do I know if a Planned Parenthood location near me offers STD testing?
Use the location finder on plannedparenthood.org and enter your zip code. The search results show which services each center offers. You can also call 1-800-230-7526 to confirm that your nearest location does STD testing.
What if I test positive — will my parents or employer find out?
No. Planned Parenthood keeps all results confidential. Your parents, employer, school, and insurance company will not be told without your written permission. If you pay out of pocket, there is no record on your insurance statement.
How much does STD testing cost?
Cost varies by location and your income. Planned Parenthood uses a sliding fee scale, so testing can range from free to several hundred dollars depending on what you earn. Call your local center to ask what the fee will be for the specific test you need.