"Become a Greene County Family Planning client and take care of your reproductive health.": Initial Visit (Female)

What is an initial visit and what can you expect?

This is usually a person's first visit to Greene County Family Planning.

A patient should come to an initial appointment 30 minutes ahead of time so that they have time to fill out paperwork. Careful completion of the paperwork is necessary for us to care for you in the best way possible. You will be asked to read and sign the consent for treatment form. You will be provided with a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) form so that you know your health care privacy rights. Learn more about HIPAA at this link http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa.

Please bring any insurance cards if you have insurance (including Medicaid) and if you have a co-pay come prepared to pay your co-pay.

If you do not have any insurance including Medicaid please click on the following link which gives information about the Family Planning Benefit Program- a confidential Medicaid program. This program does have income requirements but eligibility is based only on the individual’s income not family income. Click here for more information on the Family Planning Benefit Program.

Make sure you have a way for us to contact you. It can be a home phone, cell phone or someone else’s cell phone if that is more convenient for you. Mail is also acceptable.

Please bring a list of all medications including any herbal products you might use.

As directed by the January 2001 Program Guidelines for Project Grants for Family Planning Services of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Public Health and Science, Office of Population Affairs, Office of Family Planning the complete physical examination includes but is not limited to the following:

• Inspection of the eyes, ears and mouth
• Palpation of the thyroid
• Visual inspection of the back
• Assessment of the heart and lungs
• Clinical breast examination and self breast examination teaching
• Examination and palpitation of abdomen
• Examination of extremities
• Pelvic examination and pap test if indicated by age and sexual history of patient
• Testing for sexually transmitted infections including HIV if indicated or requested by patient

For information about HIV and STD testing click on the following links

:

HIV Counseling and Testing and local resources for those living with HIV/AIDS

STD Testing and Treatment

If the patient is interested in contraception (birth control) all methods will be reviewed with the patient and informed consent specific to the chosen method will be obtained. Instruction in correct use of the method will be given. If needed, diagnostic tests may be performed for evaluation of clients who wish to use contraception. To learn more about methods of birth control you might like to check out the following link that has all methods of contraception including the newest hormonal methods. It also has explanations of “natural family planning” methods which are sometimes called fertility awareness methods.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/birth-control/BI99999/PAGE=BI00001

Simple but very important diagnostic tests will be performed including blood pressure, hemoglobin/hematocrit, and pregnancy tests. Other lab tests, if needed, will be performed in this clinic or referred out. Tests that might be referred out may include mammogram, ultrasound, serum pregnancy test, CBC, etc.

Clients will be offered, if appropriate, information about Hepatitis A, B and C and the vaccinations for Hepatitis A and B as well as information about Gardisil (the vaccine that protects you from 4 high risk strains of HPV which are linked to cervical cancer and genital warts).

Clients will be provided information and counseled on issues of tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use and offered information on local resources appropriate to their issue.

Other counseling is offered including, but not limited to, issues of domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, depression or suicidal feelings, the benefits of folic acid especially in the prevention of birth defects, obesity, nutrition and exercise.

Referrals to the appropriate physician of client’s choice will be made for abnormalities found during the visit.