AFFORDABLE WOMEN’S HEALTH CARE

But taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of a family member or friend.

For example, skipping regular preventive care, like an annual physical, mammogram or cervical cancer screening could mean missing a problem—a problem you may not even know you have until it worsens, making it more difficult and expensive to treat.

Or, a chronic condition that you’re aware of, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, might lead to complications without regular doctor visits.

Women’s health care also means having access to vaccinations, contraception, prenatal care and other reproductive health services, so that you can live your best life—for you and your family.

Many organizations right in your neighborhood offer low-cost or even free women’s health care, depending on your financial situation.

We’ve put together five resources for you to check out, beginning with STAR Community Health.

STAR COMMUNITY HEALTH

Look to us to provide quality, compassionate women’s health care, for everything from routine exams and prenatal care to menopause management.

We also provide a host of additional resources, such as teams to help you navigate specialized care and counselors to help with supportive services, such as housing and transportation.

ADAGIO HEALTH

We partner with Adagio Health, an organization that focuses on women’s health services. Adagio provides health, wellness and nutritional support to community members regardless of income, and works to empower women to lead healthier, more vibrant lives.

REFERRAL SPECIALISTS

Our referral specialists help patients navigate specialized care. For example, if you need a mammogram or additional testing, your primary care doctor will notify the referral specialist, and that specialist will make an appointment for you with the most appropriate provider and facility.

CARE COORDINATORS

When you see a STAR provider, the provider will ask you specific questions to determine if you would benefit from supportive services, and if so, will request a care coordinator. Our care coordinators meet with patients to help remove barriers to care, such as helping with housing, food or transportation resources.

SOCIAL WORKERS

Social workers are integral to women receiving care at STAR, providing hands-on, care coordination.

At every visit, our clinical team talks to patients about food or housing needs, barriers to transportation and assistance with utilities, which are issues social workers can help to address.

In addition, social workers can also help patients with issues ranging from affordable medical care and mental health concerns to domestic violence.

Social workers may meet with a patient during a health care visit to STAR; they may also call the patient after the visit to talk about how they can help.

FINANCIAL COUNSELORS

Our financial counselors help evaluate whether patients qualify for the STAR sliding-fee discount program (read more below) or Medicaid, as well as process the applications for those programs. They also connect patients with other financial programs, help patients understand their medical bills and insurance benefits, and ensure financial barriers don’t interfere with timely care.

SLIDING-FEE DISCOUNT PROGRAM

In order to provide affordable services for all, we offer a sliding-fee discount program, which is based on family income and size. Please visit our website to find out more about program eligibility and how to apply.

Pennsylvania’s Family Planning Services Program

This program provides free or low-cost family planning services to eligible participants. Services include office visits to your family planning health care provider, which may include a pelvic exam and screening for breast and reproductive cancers, birth control supplies and medications, laboratory services, including screening for sickle cell disease and more.

NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CENTERS OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY

These women’s health services, located in Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton, offer preventive care, breast and pelvic exams, Pap smears and gynecologic procedures. They’ll also help you find a specialist, if you need one.

Plus, they offer a sliding-fee discount program for those who qualify, based on income and family size.

PLANNED PARENTHOOD/ALLENTOWN HEALTH CENTER

Planned Parenthood/Allentown provides birth control, breast and pelvic exams, blood pressure screenings and more. Walks-ins are welcome; Spanish-speaking staff are available.

Location: 29 North Ninth St., Allentown, PA 18101

BETHLEHEM HEALTH BUREAU CLINIC

Visit a clinic offered by the Bethlehem Health Bureau for breast/pelvic exams, vaccines and blood pressure screenings.

Please check out their website for days/times for specifics clinics. Visits are by appointment only.

Location: 10 East Church St., Bethlehem, PA 18018

Call for an appointment: 610-865-7083