How do they know what your income is?
Can you just say, I make tree fiddy an hour?
Do you have to produce pay-stubs? That would be a massive invasion of privacy.

Further from that, there's a restaurant here in Denver that has no prices. You decide how much you pay for your meal. Seems to be in business still.

I had 4 months of my birth control left when I came over to the US. When it was about to run out I went to see a Dr and as I was new and wanting birth control, I had to have a 'well woman' exam (breast exam, pap smear, BP, height, weight etc). I got a perscription for something similar to the pill I was on in the UK as it is not available here in the US. I pay $10 per month. I don't have to go back for a renewal until next year. Wasn't too much of a hassle and I now have a Dr I can see when I need to. Unlike my husband who is still putting off registering with a Dr as he doesn't want to have a prostate exam!

Oh yikes! Thanks Jerseygirl, I had no idea... geeze I'm such a US-noob!

Just rang PP and have an appointment on Mon to get a new prescription. She said it would cost $35 and then if I choose to get the pills with them it would be about $25/mth. Pretty painful after getting them for free all these years in the UK, but it could be worse and I think they delivery them to you every month; so that's pretty handy! I'll probably get them that way until we have insurance sorted out and then see if its any cheaper that way.

Thanks again for all the help!

If your health insurance plan has a drug benefit, the best deal will probably turn out to be ordering a 90 day supply by mail (once you have a prescription).

I guess you don't have to use their services if you do not want to "prove" that you are poor.

How do you prove it though? Just go in there and shrug and say, I ain't got shit!
I'm serious here. I would like to know.

Yes, they ask for check stubs and/or tax returns. If you are a member of the working poor this will satisfy their requirements to set the sliding scale. If you are claiming to be completely indigent then there is a shitstorm of paperwork that usually requires some sort of third party affirmation.

Happy now?

You're welcome.

Now you've got a doctor sorted out so that's one job done.

Of course you realise that you wont just get away with a simple prescription. You will need an examine, which depending on when you had your last smear test in the UK will include a pap test. If you mention anything vaguely hormonal, you will have blood test and when my daughter had no health insurance, hers cost about$50 a month. Any tests you have will be billed separately from the doctor's visit. Oh, just because its private, doesn't mean you wont be left waiting for hours in the waiting room or worse in the examine room, half naked. LOL. Oh the joys of visiting a doctor in the US are boundless

I have 'heard' that some people love their Dr's and have no hassles regarding appt' times and getting in on time, I have yet to experience that....but I live in hope!

To the OP, for what it's worth I used PP when I was a college student and what is described above was not at all my experience. Yes, you would need an exam and yes a pap smear will likely be involved. I wouldn't expect PP to rake you over the coals or to be unprofessional. Hope it works out well.

Hiya and welcome to Austin from a native Texan and long-time Austinite.

You should look into the city/county Medical Assistance Program which offers subsidized health care to people who do not have access to medical insurance through their work. You may or may not have to prove income; specifically, the womens' health services are some of the easiest to qualify for. MAP would also cover your other medical needs if you qualify.

I do not believe that using this service qualifies as a federal "means-tested benefit" - however, you might enquire.

I've always had good experiences with my doc. Never any probs.

If he finds a female doctor with small hands it won't be too bad.

I speak from experience