Got my first Newbie STD screening; figure should get one on a regular basis.  Have no other vendors to compare it to, but I was not particularly happy at the Planned Parenthood in my city.  (1) They seemed to do everything possible to make it un-anonymous.  Left my drivers license in plain view while other folk stood next to me at the intake window.  Demanded that I list an Emergency Contact, like I really want someone accidentally calling the contact about a urine test.  Demanded a pharmacy name and number so they can call in meds in case I test positive (WTF, cross that bridge when we get to it, eh?).  Form asks for employer.  Etc etc.  (2) Although PP website states that the "comprehensive STD' screening cost is $75 - $180, it was actually simply $180 with no discussion (I paid cash). (3) Despite the PP website, was not permitted to add hepatitis testing to the "comprehensive" screening.  Was told they do not test for hep, period.  (4) Was told if I test positive, someone will contact me, but if I test negative I simply will never hear from them.  Hmmm, what if my results just slip through the cracks?  (No pun intended.) (5) PP website said they open Tuesdays at 11am, so naturally I and a crowd showed up by 11am and were told they really open at 11:30am.  And we all brought our urine samples with us, so to speak.  Well at least that gave us some time to pray with the protesters on the sidewalk.....

Gay men's clinics are great at dealing with the issues without asking questions.  There is a reason HIV rates plummeted in gay populations and it has nothing to do with giving up your identity or asking the wrong questions

DITTO! that's the best solution

It is a clinic and thy do and will ask many of the same questions as other clinics ... Sorry to hear about your experience there bit in MN (shit hope your not from MN lol) I get treated much differently at PP ... In the end I hope everything came out OK that's what is important and kudos to you for getting tested!!!!

Agreed.  They are used to keeping it on the DL.

 

Yes, most providers require your identification in order to open you a medical file, it is standard procedure to require your pharmacy not because you are going to test positive but because maybe in the future you may need them to call meds for other things, the emergency contact is it also a standard procedure. I find unprofessional the discrepancy between the time they claim they open and the time they actually open. Keep in mind that regardless of you testing positive or negative you have the right to request your records in case you don't get a phone call. Pertaining the Hepatitis panel, I think you mentioned you received a vaccine before, you don't need to get vaccinated again, your primary care physician can run a "titer" for you which will show whether or not you have immunity against the disease. If you have insurance coverage perhaps the next time it will be cheaper and more pleasant to go through your family doctor, remember, everything in your file is confidential and whoever reveals anything about your medical history faces time in jail and penalties.

That is really crazy! Which one did you go to? Because the one I went to, was totally discrete. I dont pay anything - although they ask me to make a donation. But she literally was like you can give me the change in your pockets.  

It might be because you make more money though. Because they are sliding scale and I say that I'm not employed. So all my services are free.  

I think that they are more focused towards women though. You might want to go to a mens place, or a different clinic. That is definitely not the experience I've had. There are a lot of places that will discretely test you, insurance or not.

It's even free for me since I'm in their youth (under 24) program. I am completely open with them about being a sex worker with no judgement on their side- in fact, it's how I convince them to run a totally comprehensive test panel every time I go in. Most places won't test you for herpes I and II and HPV unless you specifically ask, and will neglect to swab everywhere that you need to be swabbed for the other stuff. (There is no test for HPV for men currently, unfortunately.)
 

END OF MESSAGE

the federal agency charged with enforcing it does not view patients as its real constituency.  A careless slip by a clerk can blow your confidentiality, and at most would result in a letter from the agency instructing the medical provider to try harder.  Given the general sloppiness of the particular place that I visited, I did not feel that I could rely on HIPPA.

I did PP my first few times. I also paid about 180 ( I think) and also experienced inconveniently long wait times.  

These days, I go to my gyn for STD tests. If you tell them that you have a reason you need to be tested - for instance, that you had a one-nighter and the condom broke...they will consider it a diagnostic test and most insurance plans will cover it (mine does and my insurance sucks).  

I'm pretty sure my doctor thinks I'm nuts. But it's a better option than PP, by far.

Oh...and for the other posters...it's HIPAA, not HIPPA. Was waiting for the cunning linguist to reply but figured I was here and typing already, lol.

I can't begin to express how appalled I am by the staff's unprofessional, indiscreet and disrespectful behavior.  Never been to PP.  I sincerely hope the location you visited is not indicative of all of them. Shameful.  

As for HIPAA, WE sign the paperwork and it protects THEIR a$h.  Ever read all those pages that a room full of lawyers composed? It's quite an eyeopener. Don't get me wrong, I LOOOOVES me some attorney fun, but somebody paid them to do a job and it wasn't you or me. Nobody cares about protecting your privacy as much as you do.  

All it takes is one person on a temp cleaning crew to rifle through the office trash cans. "Ooooo! Looky what we have here! Mr./Ms. So and So's name, driver's license no., address, next of kin contact and their test results!  Yippee! I can retire on the blackmail money or at least buy a truckload of Big Gulps, when I get done utilizing the identity theft skills I learned doing time in "County"!    

Their idiot "actual opening time" is the least of their violations IMO. If I had the same experience you did, I would be all over the net finding what authority or office monitored them and fire off an email, certified letter and a phone call with all of the details.  

I LOVE calling out abusive and arrogant behavior. The net can be a blessing and a curse. The thing I do love about it is I can speak the truth to a massive audience if I so choose. What are they gonna do, beat me up? Come and get me. I've been through a helluva lot worse and wouldn't the boogie man look like a hotshot, pushing around somebody's pipsqueak-sized, middle-aged, Mom?  

I repeat. I sincerely hope the location you visited is not indicative of all of them.  

What's next, calling a 17yr. old's parents, because junior came in and asked for condoms?  
Too bad people behaving in a responsible way get trashed or as Sir Gambler reminded us in a previous post, "No good deed, goes unpunished".  

Again. Shameful.

Hmm. Alias, schmalious!  I stand by what I write.