Getting women’s health services

Women and teens can get health care services a number of ways. Regular Medi-Cal covers health care services for women and teens. This includes well-woman check-ups, family planning, pregnancy termination, and cancer screenings and treatment. Women also can get voluntary sterilizations. Some women and teens who are not eligible for regular Medi-Cal can still get women's health services from other programs.

For more information on Medi-Cal see help for children and help for adults.

When you are selecting a hospital or managed care plan, make sure that you are able to get the health care services that you need. Because of religious beliefs, some hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies refuse to provide services. Under California law, managed care plans must be able to give you information to make sure that you have access to the services that you need. Talk to your doctor and your managed care plan about what you need ahead of time. Make sure that the hospital or clinic where you are going will give you the services.

I need help getting prenatal care.

If you are pregnant, you may be eligible for Medi-Cal to get pregnancy-related services, including prenatal care, labor and delivery and post-natal care. Other services needed to treat conditions that can affect the pregnancy, like diabetes and dental care, also are covered. Immigrant women and teens, even if undocumented, can be eligible for pregnancy-related Medi-Cal. See our Medi_Cal/Healthy Families Income Level Chart.

I need help getting family planning services.

You may be able to get help from a program called FamilyPACT. It is a government program that pays for family planning.

FamilyPACT covers:

• all birth control methods
• emergency contraceptive pills
• treatment for infections from sex like chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital warts, syphilis and Hepatitis B
• HIV testing and counseling
• some basic infertility services
• pregnancy testing, counseling and referral
• PAP smears and treatment for abnormal PAPs
• treatment for female urinary tract infections
• sterilization - male and female
• education and counseling about reproductive health and
• referrals for other services

Abortion services are not covered by FamilyPACT, but it is covered for those in regular Medi-Cal or receiving minor consent services.

Read Getting Family Planning with Family PACT to learn how to sign up.

I’m a teen and need help getting confidential services. Is there something for me?

Yes! California has a minor consent program that covers confidential services. The state or county will not contact your family without your permission. The services that are covered include prenatal care, sexually transmitted disease screening and treatment, pregnancy termination (abortion) and other services (such as drug treatment and mental health services). The FamilyPACT program also provides many of these confidential services. You should check with FamilyPACT first.

To apply for minor consent services, you have to apply at your local welfare office. To find out where to apply see the County Social Services Office Listing.

I need help preventing an unwanted pregnancy.

Emergency contraception is available to help you prevent an unwanted pregnancy. Emergency contraception is high dose birth control that should be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex. If you have been raped and go to an emergency room, the hospital must offer to give you emergency contraception under California law.

There are also some pharmacies that provide emergency contraception without you having to go to a doctor first. Medi-Cal covers the cost of emergency contraception for women and teens in Medi-Cal.

For information on where to get emergency contraception (“morning after pill”) call 1-888-Not-2-Late or visit The Emergency Contraception Website.

What programs help with pregnancy termination (abortion services)?

Medi-Cal covers abortion services. If you are in a managed care plan, your plan should help you find a doctor to get an abortion. You can also call your local Planned Parenthood program for counseling on your options and a referral. If you are a teen, you can also get services through the minor consent program.

I would like to get a breast and cervical exam to make sure that I am healthy. Is there any program that covers this?

Yes. Medi-Cal and Family PACT cover cervical cancer screens (Pap smears). Regular Medi-Cal also covers breast exams and mammograms.

There are other programs that can help women who do not qualify for Medi-Cal or don’t have health insurance that cover breast and cervical cancer exams. To find out if you qualify for free breast and cervical cancer screens, call the California Department of Health Services Cancer Detection Section at 1-800-511-2300 Monday - Friday from 9 AM to 7 PM.

You can also visit the Cancer Detection Section of the California Department of Health Services website to see if you qualify for free breast and cervical cancer screens. If you qualify, you will be referred to a doctor near you.

At the Cancer Detection Regional Partnership page, you can find out more about cancer services and locate a Regional Partner serving your county.

I have breast or cervical cancer and need help with treatment. Is there any help for me?

Yes. The Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program may be able to help you. Read our consumer brochure on the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program to find out. For more detailed information on this program, you may also read our Advocates’ issue brief of the same name Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program.

Women's health brochures

The Health Consumer Alliance has these materials to help you:
Brochures

• Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program
• Getting Family Planning with Family PACT

Issue Briefs

• Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program
• HIV Testing of Pregnant Women
• Informed Consent and Sterilization
• Percent of Poverty Medi-Cal for Pregnant Women & Children

Where can I go for more help?

The Health Consumer Alliance helps people get the health care they need. We can help you with your legal problems getting health care. Click on Local Centers to find the health consumer center near you.