Planned Parenthood

This was my first time at this Planned Parenthood, and I left extremely disappointed. I just moved from Illinois so I still have my Illinois insurance card. I was told I can use it out of state though as well. My issue with this P.P. is that I came in 10 minutes early as requested to fill out paperwork. They took my ID and insurance card. I waited 1 hour and 20 minutes, and at that point I was called up and told that they didn’t accept my insurance. Really? They had me wait over an hour before they could tell me that? Worst service ever.

I give a three star (instead of 2) because the medical staff that work in the back have always made me feel comfortable and at ease. Unfortunately, not all, but some of the staff that works check-​in and payments make me feel uncomfortable. It doesn’t help that you have to discuss personal matters through a bullet-​proof glass so the entire waiting room can hear your personal shenanigans. *oh she can’t get the iud today because she had unprotected sex with her husband yesterday* …not a thought I would like other patients to be having. Something needs to be done to separate the private conversations from the rest of the waiting room. They will also ask you for a donation and the response I get if I can’t make one at that time makes me feel terrible. I support planned parenthood whenever I can, but that may not be during every visit and handing me a donation paper with my clipboard would be more discrete than having to announce to the entire waiting room that I can’t afford much because I’m a broke student.
I moved to Memphis from northern Indiana to find very different methods of birth control qualify for income-​based coverage. Indiana provided pills and when I came for a replacement pack to this PP, pills + exam would have been $ 200+. However IUDs were covered. I had never had an IUD and the thought of something inserted up inside my uterus scared me but I was reassured it was a safe and common option.
My first visit here was not great. I got up the courage (and anxiety) to have one put in and was told by the front desk that the time window within which I had sexual activity last was fine and allowed me to get it inserted that day (so much time is required to ensure there is no pending pregnancy). After 2 hours and a pregnancy test, I was told by the clinician that I actually could not have it put in that day. I had to wait longer since sexual activity. So because of a miscommunication, I wasted two hours, got all worked up, and was told I had to pay for the pregnancy test (which I never would have had done if there was no miscommunication). I had it inserted a few weeks later and when I called because of complications and needing it removed, they were helpful in helping me schedule an appointment.
But, as I said, the medical staff in the back, particularly the person that inserted and removed my IUD, are wonderful and a top reason I will return here is because of those experiences I have had beyond the waiting room.

support Planned Parenthood!

Planned parenthood’s location on poplar avenue is an unprofessional, expensive, and unnerving establishment.
Right off the bat, when you call the number to contact planned parenthood, you are allowed only to listen to frustrating (albeit easily navigable) voicemail options. Yep, that’s right — no humans to talk to. What’s even worse is that when you press 9 for Spanish (as is instructed for Spanish speakers) you are taken back to the original menu… In English.
I was able to obtain pricing information over-​the-​phone and although saddened I couldn’t confirm with a human, figured that this would be enough… much to my dismay. When I arrived at the location, I was greeted by a clerk who had an extremely short temper. She then proceeded to tell me the price for my full STD panel — a price $ 70.00 higher than what the voicemail informed.
Upon waiting and filing out the forms. I heard 3 separate groups of people complaining about how horrible it was that Planned Parenthood’s pricing was not reflective of the voicemail.
One girl even said, «I’ll be fine, I don’t even have any symptoms… just cancel it I can’t afford that.»
Oh, and don’t even try to leave the SSN section empty like me. I was informed they have to have it; that’s how they help report you to Shelby county and the government if you test positive for an STD. I tried to brush off my frustration, assuring myself that was probably just some mandatory regulation.
After a decent waiting time, I was called to the back. I was instructed by yet another ill-​tempered technician to «place a sample in the cup» and the place it I’m the appropriate place and wait some more. Thank god I assumed it was urine sample, right? ;p
Fast forward, I’m sill waiting but now there are a group of us waiting for the next steps to be taken. We are all conversing about what poor attitudes each clerk and technician had, maybe in an attempt to bond and ease our nerves.
One of the girls with whom I was conversing, was called to the back for her ultrasound .
READY FOR THE WORST PART?
As I learned from our conversation, she told me she didn’t know what she would do if she was pregnant, she just couldn’t handle a kid right now.
The ultrasound tech who called her back came out of that room with a friend laughing while exclaiming «well, that sucks».
Ugh, I wanted to pretend like it wasn’t about the poor young girl. But when she came out in tears (and even wished me to be well), I knew what happened.
I was told my results would be in within 7 to 10 days and to call a number and give them a special pin.
Overall, they charged me much more than other clinics I’ve been to which also provided similar services. Additionally, the staff was rude and very short. Being given commands like «wait now» and «go sit» as if I were a dog made for an unnerving environment.
The waiting time to be called back was decent. Also, 7 days to wait for results is average.
2 stars. I won’t be back.
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Just a side note which didn’t contribute to my rating of Planned Parenthood, or the review: The protestors outside are frustrating/​hilarious. PP can’t really control them I guess. Like tiny little mosquitoes, they buzzed around the driveway and were in my way. They gave me nasty looks as I pulled up. When I walked to the entrance they certainly wouldn’t even make eye contact with me. Shame… I was really wanting to throw coat hangers at their feet.

Say what you will politically about Planned Parenthood, but I can say with full confidence that the people who work here are very passionate and caring about everyone who comes in.
The office is very clean and has a nice mural on the wall. It’s very private once you’re inside. It takes a while for most services, it seems, so just don’t plan to get in and out.
They offer a lot of free/​low cost reproductive health tests and screenings, accessible birth control options, and reproductive health counseling. It’s not just for abortions despite popular belief, though they do provide them. All of those things are provided free of judgement.
It’s a really great resource for Memphis and they do offer their multiple programs and services for people outside of Shelby County, too.