Got questions about family planning? Check out our FAQs below!
What is Family Planning?
The Family Planning Clinic provides multiple birth control options and education on how to use them, physical exams (including testing for cervical cancer if age 21 or older), postpartum exams, care and counseling to plan for your next (or first) pregnancy, and education on a variety of topics to assist you in living a healthy lifestyle, including testing and counseling for sexually transmitted diseases. All services are confidential.
Who is Eligible for Family Planning?
Services are available to individuals of reproductive age. If you have had a tubal or hysterectomy, you are not eligible for our clinic, but may be eligible for another clinic at the health department. Please call us if you have questions about your eligibility.
Birth Control Methods Offered:
- Nexplanon (Implant)
- Intra-Uterine Devices (IUD)
- Depo-Provera (“the shot”)
- Pills
- Nuva Ring
- Condoms
- Natural family planning/Fertility Awareness Based Methods
- Emergency Contraception (EC)
Cost and Payment Information:
Medicaid and most private insurances are accepted for Family Planning and pregnancy testing services. If you are uninsured or a self-paying client, these services will be provided to you on a sliding scale. Your income and family size will determine your fee.
There is a special type of Medicaid that will pay for Family Planning Services and all birth control methods. Click here for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services “Be Smart” Family Planning program. You can find out if you are eligible and also download and application.
How to Make an Appointment?
- We offer Open Access Scheduling which allows for same day appointments as long as appointments are available.
- Call 980-484-5100 as early as possible for same day appointments.
- If there are no appointments available on the day you call, we can preschedule your appointment for within a week.
- Please try to arrange for child care during your appointment. Because the office visit requires time and the exam rooms are small, we recommend that you not bring your child to the appointments. If you must bring your child, he/she may remain in the waiting area ONLY if a family member or friend is available to sit with them.
What Should You Bring to Your Appointment?
- Insurance and/or Medicaid card
- Proof of income (Paycheck stub or W-2)
- Personal Identification (driver’s license, social security card, birth certificate, Medicaid card, state, work, school or military ID badge)
- Current Medications
Locations and Hours:
The Family Planning Clinic is located on the first floor of the Health Department building, 200 South Post Road in Shelby. You will check in at the front desk upon arrival.
We are open Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m.
I am under the age of 18 and I want to come in for birth control. Do you require permission from my parents to see me? No, when you are seen in the family planning clinic, it is strictly confidential. Parental consent is NOT required to get a birth control method. However, we do encourage open communication with your parents/guardians about your desire for birth control.
If I have never been sexually active, but want to get on a birth control method to control my period, do I have to have a pelvic exam? You are not required to get a pelvic exam to get birth control.
How can I get Plan B (Emergency Contraception?) You can call our clinic for Plan B. You must call within 3 days of unprotected sex. If it occurs over the weekend/holiday and we are closed you can go to area pharmacies and get Plan B if you are over the age of 18.
Family Planning Resource Links