Planned Parenthood offers payment plans for most services, but the terms depend on which clinic you visit and what procedure you need

Planned Parenthood does offer payment plans for services including contraception, cancer screenings, STI testing and treatment, and abortion care. The structure varies by location — some clinics use in-house plans where you pay a portion upfront and the rest over weeks or months, while others partner with third-party financing companies like CareCredit or Affirm. A few clinics also accept payment through installment services built into their billing systems. The fastest way to find out what your specific clinic offers is to call them directly, because payment options are not standardized across the Planned Parenthood network.

Cost and payment terms also shift based on your income. Planned Parenthood uses a sliding scale fee structure, meaning the price you pay depends on what you earn. If you may have access to for a lower fee, the payment plan may be smaller or shorter. Some clinics waive fees entirely for people below a certain income threshold. You will need to bring recent pay stubs, tax returns, or proof of income to your appointment so the clinic can calculate your fee.

Key Takeaways

  • Payment plans at Planned Parenthood are offered at most locations but vary by clinic, so you must contact your local clinic to learn what options they have.
  • Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your income — the clinic uses a sliding scale and may charge you little to nothing if you earn below their threshold.
  • Some clinics use their own payment plans, while others work with CareCredit or Affirm, which may charge interest if you do not pay the full balance within a promotional period.
  • You will need proof of income at your appointment to may have access to for a reduced fee or payment plan.
  • Abortion services in particular often have payment plans because costs are higher and not covered by most insurance plans.

How to find out what payment plans your clinic offers

Call your local Planned Parenthood clinic directly — do not rely on the national website, because payment options are managed at the clinic level. When you call, ask specifically: "Do you offer payment plans, and if so, what are the terms?" Ask whether they use an in-house plan, a third-party financing company, or both. If they use a third-party company like CareCredit, ask whether there is a promotional period (often 6 to 12 months) during which you pay no interest, and what the interest rate is if you carry a balance past that period.

You can find your local clinic's phone number on the Planned Parenthood website by entering your zip code. Have your insurance information ready when you call, because some clinics can tell you immediately whether your plan covers the service. If you do not have insurance, the clinic will ask about your income so they can estimate your fee before your appointment.

What happens if you use a third-party financing company

If your clinic partners with CareCredit or Affirm, you will apply for financing at your appointment or online before you arrive. Both companies make a credit decision in minutes. CareCredit is a medical credit card that works at thousands of healthcare providers; Affirm is a buy-now-pay-later service that breaks the cost into equal installments. Both pull a soft credit inquiry, which does not affect your credit score.

The key difference is the interest structure. CareCredit often offers a promotional period — typically 6, 12, or 24 months depending on the purchase amount — during which you pay no interest if you pay the full balance on time. If you carry a balance past that period, interest accrues at a rate that varies (often 19% to 26% APR). Affirm charges interest from the start if you choose a plan longer than a few weeks, but the rate is fixed and disclosed upfront, so you know the total cost before you commit.

Read the terms carefully before you sign. If you think you can pay the full balance within the promotional period, CareCredit may cost you nothing. If you cannot, Affirm's fixed rate may be clearer to budget for.

Sliding scale fees and income verification

Planned Parenthood's sliding scale means your fee is based on your household income and family size. The clinic calculates a percentage of your income and charges you that amount. Someone earning $20,000 a year might pay $50 for a visit, while someone earning $60,000 might pay $150 for the same service. Below a certain income threshold (which varies by state and clinic), many services are free.

To prove your income, bring one of these documents to your appointment: a recent pay stub, a tax return from the past year, a letter from your employer, proof of unemployment benefits, or a benefit statement from Social Security, SNAP, or Medicaid. If you are self-employed, bring a profit-and-loss statement or bank statements showing your income. If you have no income, bring a statement from the person supporting you, or a letter explaining your situation.

The clinic will calculate your fee on the spot. If a payment plan is available, they will tell you the amount due today and the schedule for the rest. Some clinics allow you to pay the first portion at your appointment and set up automatic payments for the rest; others ask you to pay in full at the time of service and then refund you if you later prove a lower income.

Payment plans for abortion services

Abortion services often have the most robust payment plan options because the cost is higher than other Planned Parenthood services and most insurance plans do not cover abortion. Costs vary widely by location and how far along the pregnancy is — a medication abortion (pills) is usually cheaper than a surgical abortion, and later procedures cost more. Planned Parenthood clinics that provide abortion typically offer payment plans for these reasons.

If you are seeking abortion care, call the clinic as early as possible. Payment plans are one piece of the timeline — you also need to know how long the clinic's waiting period is (some states require a waiting period between your first visit and the procedure), whether you need parental consent if you are a minor, and how far along you can be and still receive care at that location. The clinic can walk you through all of this on the phone.

What to do if you cannot afford the payment plan

If the payment plan is still too expensive, tell the clinic. Some have emergency funds or partnerships with nonprofits that cover costs for people in financial hardship. The National Abortion Federation Hotline (1-800-772-9100) also maintains a list of funds that help pay for abortion care if you cannot afford it, and they can refer you to clinics in your area that might have lower costs or more flexible payment terms.

If you need contraception, cancer screening, or STI testing and cannot afford Planned Parenthood's fees, ask whether your state or county has a health department clinic that offers the same services on a sliding scale. Many do, and some have lower income thresholds or more generous payment terms.

Insurance and payment plans

If you have insurance, Planned Parenthood will bill your plan directly for most services. You will owe your copay or coinsurance at the time of service — that amount does not go on a payment plan. If your insurance does not cover a service (like abortion in many plans), or if you do not have insurance, that is when a payment plan comes into play.

Some people have insurance but choose to pay out of pocket to keep a service private — for example, if they do not want a claim on their record. If that is your situation, tell the clinic when you call. They can give you the cash price and let you know whether a payment plan is available for self-pay patients.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set up a payment plan over the phone before my appointment?

Most clinics will not finalize a payment plan until your appointment, because they need to verify your income and confirm the exact cost of your service. However, you can ask about payment options when you call to schedule, and the clinic can tell you the typical cost range and what plans they offer. Some clinics that use CareCredit or Affirm may let you pre-apply online.

What if I miss a payment on my plan?

If you miss a payment on an in-house clinic plan, contact the clinic immediately to reschedule. Late fees vary by clinic. If you are using CareCredit or Affirm, missing a payment will affect your credit score and may trigger interest charges or collection action. Contact the financing company right away to discuss your options.

Do all Planned Parenthood clinics accept payment plans?

Most do, but not all. Some smaller clinics may only accept cash, card, or check at the time of service. That is why calling your specific clinic is essential — the national Planned Parenthood organization does not set payment policy for individual locations.

Can I use a payment plan if I am paying for someone else's care?

Yes. If you are paying for a partner's or family member's care, you can set up a payment plan in your name. The clinic will need your income information to calculate the fee, not the patient's income, unless the patient is the one applying for the plan.

Does Planned Parenthood report payment plans to credit bureaus?

In-house clinic payment plans typically do not report to credit bureaus unless you default and the clinic sends the debt to a collection agency. CareCredit and Affirm do report to credit bureaus, so late or missed payments will affect your credit score. Check the terms of your specific financing agreement.