Family Planning and Birth Control
Planning if, or when, you want to have another child can help you avoid the health and financial concerns associated with an unintended pregnancy.
Timing and spacing pregnancies is better for your body. It’s important to decide what birth control method you want to use before the baby is born. Talk to your doctor, nurse or midwife about what kind of birth control is best for you.
Which birth control method is right for you?
Birth control services are confidential and the only way others will know if you are using birth control is if you tell them. You don’t need permission from anyone else to access family planning services.
- Choosing the method that's right for you
- Use the My Method tool to help you think about your options
- Are you a breastfeeding mom? Learn what birth control methods are available
- Learn about emergency contraception
Affordable Birth Control Services
Take Charge Program
You and your partner may be eligible to receive free birth control through a program called Take Charge. To find a Take Charge provider near you call the Help Me Grow Washington Hotline at 1-800-322-2588. Learn more about Take Charge services.
Family Planning Services
Many family planning clinics offer services and birth control based on a sliding fee scale. Depending on your family’s income, you may be required to pay only a certain portion of the total cost of treatment and medication. Some clinics provide services for free. To find a clinic that offers a sliding fee scale, call the Help Me Grow Washington Hotline at 1-800-322-2588.
Additional Resources
Prescription Assistance
Washington State offers two prescription assistance programs to help you pay for some or all of the cost of your prescriptions.
The free Washington Prescription Drug Program Discount Card gives discounts on all medications to all Washington state residents regardless of age or income. For more information call 1-800-913-4146. Learn more about the Washington Prescription Drug program and enroll online to get the discount card.
The Partnership for Prescription Assistance is a program that helps low-income, uninsured Washington residents get free or discounted medicines. For more information call 1-877-923-6779. Learn more about the Partnership for Prescription Assistance here.
If You Already Have Health Insurance
Contact your health insurance plan to find out what methods are covered and if you must pay a co-payment.
If you have Medicaid coverage for your pregnancy (also called First Steps or the medical coupon), you can get free birth control services for 12 months or one year following the birth of your baby.