Women’s Health Team increases patient access to contraception

PHOTO: Flickr.com/spentpenny

2011 was full of ups and downs for women’s health—contraception in particular.

Last year, we saw the Affordable Care Act ensure insurance coverage for vital preventive care for women, including contraception, without charge. We also saw intense political objection to this and other women’s health issues (Planned Parenthood, anyone?) which promise to lead to Supreme Court hearings that will be intensely followed by the Fenway Women’s Health Team.

We hope that 2012 will bring huge victories in women’s health. To get things started here at home, Fenway is kicking the year off with increased access to contraception for our patients. Tomorrow, January 19, we will launch a new Contraception Counseling Program designed to educate our patients more comprehensively about contraception options and get them the option they choose more quickly.

Through this brand new program, we are able to offer 60 minute appointments to anyone who has questions about contraception. Maybe you’ve been thinking about starting to use contraception regularly, but you’re unsure of your options. Perhaps you have been using one option that you’re just not happy with and want to switch. Or maybe you need emergency contraception to reduce the chance of an unplanned pregnancy. We can even help if you think you may be pregnant and want to know for sure.

During a Contraception Counseling Program appointment, you’ll meet with one of our Contraception Counselors who can answer any questions that you may have. If necessary, you may also meet with our Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, Erin Gately. Depending on the contraception option that you choose, you may be able to leave your appointment with contraception in hand (so to speak).

The best part of all this is that in February our location at 1340 Boylston will join the Borum in being able to offer free or reduced cost contraception services to patients who qualify. This means that if you are uninsured, underinsured, or worried about confidentiality on your insurance statements, we may be able to get you the contraception that you need at no cost to you.

If you’d like to make an appointment with our Contraception Counseling Program, call 617.927.6001.

Here’s to a new year filled with increased access to women’s health services!