New York City

New York City provides many resources to women.

Contraception

In the United States, you need a prescription to obtain birth control.

For a relatively low cost, Planned Parenthood writes and fulfills birth control prescriptions. If you don't have a prescription, you can receive the prescription and pills in the same day. If you choose to go to a location like Staten Island, you'll also be able to book an earlier appointment than in Manhattan or Brooklyn. As of 2015, Planned Parenthood only provides one form of pills: Chateal. To schedule an appointment, call 212-965-7000, Monday-Friday, 8am-6pm.

Morning After Pill/Plan B

In New York, you do not need a prescription to purchase Plan B. You can buy Plan B at many drug stores, such as CVS, for about $50.

Medication

You can buy medication for yeast infections and general vaginal discomfort over the counter at pharmacies, such as CVS or Rite-Aid. For UTIs, you can buy a test kit from many stores. However, if you would like antibiotic treatment, you will need a prescription written by a doctor. If you are uninsured, you can get the prescription written at a local clinic or Planned Parenthood.

Gynecological Exams

Also known as 'Well-woman exams,' there are many low-cost options available to women in the NYC area. Some clinics provide a flat rate for the entire examination while other charge an extra fee for the pap smear and associated lab work. At Planned Parenthood, a sliding scale fee is offered. Other clinics, like One Medical Group (in the Bronx) and Women's Health Resource (Manhattan), charge about $150, which is generally cheaper than other providers.

STD Tests

Social & Political Climate

There are many low-cost and free STD testing services in New York City. They typically do not require appointments, and they run on a first come, first serve basis. So it is recommended that you arrange for a test on a day when you have time to wait to receive your tests and results. Some STD clinics also offer vaccines for meningitis, Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B, as well as alcohol and drug treatment.

What to Get & Where to Get it

The New York City Department of Health offers free, same-day STD tests at facilities around the city. You can also get STD tests at Planned Parenthood.

Payment Options

For all patients over 19 years old, the New York City Health Department does charge fees for STD clinic services. This means that, if you have an insurance policy, your insurance will be billed. However, if you do not have insurance or do not want to bill your insurance, you will be typically asked to pay a sliding scale fee based on your family size and yearly income. Note that you will not be asked to prove your income or family size.

Abortion

Social & Political Climate

New York has been called the “abortion capital of America,” where it has been legally protected since 1970. This makes New York the first U.S. state to provide statewide abortion access. Furthermore, New York does not impose restrictions such as 24 waiting periods or required parental involvement, which can be found in other U.S. states.

Laws & Restrictions

In New York, all women, teenage or adult, can receive abortions without permission from parents or outsiders. State law requires that abortions are performed within the first 24 weeks of pregnancy or in order to save the mother’s life. The abortion must be performed on advice of an M.D. If an abortion is performed and not considered justifiable, or if it is not done within 24 weeks, the abortion can be considered a felony.

What to Get & Where to Get It

The largest clinic is Planned Parenthood’s Margaret Sanger Clinic (26 Bleecker Street).

Payment Options

For low-income women (regardless of citizenship status), Medicaid can be pay for abortion in New York. Some clinics offer emergency Medicaid services for same-day abortions.