Title X Family Planning Program
Free or low-cost reproductive healthcare—including contraception, STI testing, cancer screenings, and wellness exams—at nearly 4,000 clinics nationwide. Fees are based on a sliding scale tied to income, and patients at or below the federal poverty level pay nothing.
Free and Affordable Reproductive Healthcare: The Title X Family Planning Program
If you need birth control, STI testing, cancer screenings, or a wellness exam but cannot afford to see a private doctor, the Title X Family Planning Program funds a network of nearly 4,000 clinics across the United States where you can receive these services for free or at dramatically reduced cost. Title X is the only federal grant program dedicated exclusively to providing comprehensive family planning and related preventive health services, and it has been serving millions of Americans every year since President Richard Nixon signed it into law in 1970.
Title X clinics serve approximately 4 million people each year. The program is designed to prioritize the needs of low-income and uninsured individuals, but anyone can walk into a Title X clinic regardless of income, insurance status, or immigration status. If your household income is at or below the federal poverty level, you pay absolutely nothing. If your income is between 100% and 250% of the poverty level, you pay on a sliding fee scale. The services you receive are identical regardless of what you pay.
These are not bare-bones clinics offering only birth control pills. Title X-funded sites provide a comprehensive range of reproductive and preventive health services including all FDA-approved contraceptive methods, STI and HIV testing and treatment, Pap smears and cervical cancer screening, breast cancer screening, pregnancy testing and counseling, preconception health services, basic infertility evaluation, and health education. For many patients, a Title X clinic is their only regular source of healthcare.
Opportunity Snapshot
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Program Type | Ongoing subsidized reproductive and preventive healthcare |
| Who It Serves | All individuals, with priority for low-income and uninsured |
| Cost at or Below 100% FPG | $0 |
| Cost Between 100%–250% FPG | Sliding fee scale |
| Number of Clinics | Nearly 4,000 service sites nationwide |
| Patients Served | Approximately 4 million annually |
| Services | Contraception, STI/HIV testing, cancer screening, wellness exams, counseling |
| Application | Walk in or call any Title X clinic; no pre-approval required |
| Administered By | HHS Office of Population Affairs |
What Services Are Available
Title X clinics provide a broad range of services that go far beyond contraception.
Contraception and family planning: All FDA-approved contraceptive methods are available, including birth control pills, patches, rings, injections (Depo-Provera), implants (Nexplanon), intrauterine devices (IUDs including Mirena, Kyleena, Paragard, and Liletta), emergency contraception, condoms, diaphragms, and fertility awareness-based methods. Providers counsel patients on all options and help them choose the method that best fits their needs, preferences, and medical history. Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) like IUDs and implants—which can cost $1,000 or more at a private provider—are available at no cost to qualifying patients.
STI and HIV testing and treatment: Screening for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, hepatitis, herpes, and human papillomavirus (HPV). Treatment is provided for curable infections, and referrals are made for conditions requiring specialist care. Partner notification and treatment services help stop the spread of infections. In 2018 alone, Title X clinics performed nearly 5 million STD tests.
Cancer screening: Pap smears for cervical cancer screening, HPV testing, clinical breast exams, and referrals for mammography. Title X clinics performed over 600,000 cervical cancer screenings and over 800,000 breast cancer screenings in 2018. Early detection through these screenings saves lives and reduces the cost of treatment.
Pregnancy testing and counseling: Confidential pregnancy tests and nondirective counseling about all options—continuing the pregnancy and parenting, adoption, or abortion. Title X funds cannot be used to perform abortions, but clinics provide factual information about all options and referrals upon request.
Preconception health: Assessment of risk factors that could affect a future pregnancy, including chronic conditions, medication use, substance use, and nutritional status. Folic acid supplementation and counseling to optimize health before conception.
Basic infertility services: Initial evaluation and counseling for individuals experiencing difficulty conceiving, including medical history review, basic lab work, and referrals to fertility specialists when indicated.
Adolescent services: Confidential reproductive healthcare for teenagers, including contraception and STI testing. Most states allow minors to consent to family planning services without parental involvement, and Title X clinics are designed to provide age-appropriate, confidential care in a nonjudgmental environment.
Health education and counseling: Individual and group education on reproductive health, healthy relationships, STI prevention, and wellness. Many clinics also offer smoking cessation counseling, substance use screening, and intimate partner violence screening.
Who Can Use Title X Services
Title X services are available to everyone. There is no income cutoff for access—only for the level of financial assistance you receive.
Income-based fee schedule:
- At or below 100% FPG: You pay $0 for all services.
- 101%–150% FPG: You pay a small, reduced fee.
- 151%–250% FPG: You pay a higher but still discounted fee.
- Above 250% FPG: You may pay the full fee, though it is typically less than what a private provider charges.
For 2025, 100% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines is approximately $15,650 for a single person and $32,000 for a family of four. At 250% FPG, the threshold is approximately $39,125 for a single person and $80,000 for a family of four.
No insurance required: Title X clinics serve patients regardless of whether they have private insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, or no insurance at all. If you have insurance, the clinic may bill it, but you will never be turned away for lacking coverage.
No citizenship requirement: Title X services are available to all individuals regardless of citizenship or immigration status. Clinics do not ask about immigration status and do not report to immigration authorities.
Confidentiality: Title X regulations require strict confidentiality for all patients, including adolescents. Services will not appear on a parent’s insurance statement or be disclosed without your consent (except where mandated by state reporting laws for certain situations like child abuse).
Men are welcome: While the majority of Title X patients are women, the program explicitly serves men as well. Male patients can access STI testing and treatment, contraceptive counseling (including vasectomy referrals and condom provision), and preventive health screenings.
How to Find a Title X Clinic
Step 1: Use the clinic locator. The Office of Population Affairs maintains an online clinic locator at opa.hhs.gov where you can search by zip code to find Title X-funded clinics near you. You can also call the OPA Information Center for assistance.
Step 2: Know what to expect. Title X clinics include a variety of provider types: local health departments, Planned Parenthood affiliates, hospital-based clinics, federally qualified health centers, independent reproductive health clinics, and university health centers. The specific services available may vary by site, so call ahead to confirm that the clinic offers what you need.
Step 3: Schedule or walk in. Many Title X clinics accept walk-in patients for certain services, while others prefer scheduled appointments. Call the clinic to ask about their process, current wait times, and what documents to bring.
Step 4: Bring income documentation if seeking reduced fees. To qualify for the sliding fee scale, you may need to provide proof of income such as pay stubs, a tax return, or a benefits verification letter. If you have no income documentation, most clinics accept self-declaration.
Step 5: Receive care. Your visit will include a health history, physical examination as appropriate, lab work if indicated, counseling, and any prescribed medications or devices. Follow-up appointments are scheduled as needed.
Making the Most of Title X Services
Combine with other programs. Title X clinics often help patients enroll in Medicaid, CHIP, or Marketplace insurance plans. They can also refer you to other social services including SNAP, WIC, housing assistance, and domestic violence resources. Use your Title X visit as an entry point to the broader safety net.
Get your annual screenings. Even if you are not seeking contraception, Title X clinics provide valuable preventive screenings that many people skip due to cost. Cervical cancer screening, breast cancer screening, and STI testing are all available and can catch serious conditions early. Do not wait until you have symptoms.
Ask about long-acting contraception. If you want highly effective, low-maintenance birth control, ask about IUDs and implants. These methods are over 99% effective and last 3 to 12 years depending on the type. At a Title X clinic, they are available at no cost to qualifying patients—a significant benefit given that they can cost over $1,000 out of pocket elsewhere.
Use telehealth options. Many Title X clinics now offer telehealth visits for counseling, prescription renewals, and certain follow-up appointments. This can save time and increase access, particularly for patients in rural areas or with transportation challenges.
Refer friends and family. Many people do not know Title X clinics exist or assume they only serve certain populations. If you know someone who is avoiding healthcare because of cost, let them know about Title X. The program exists to serve everyone who needs affordable reproductive healthcare.
The Impact of Title X
Title X is one of the most cost-effective public health investments in the United States. Research from the Guttmacher Institute shows that every $1.00 invested in publicly funded family planning saves approximately $3.74 in Medicaid expenditures that would otherwise be needed for pregnancy-related care. Without publicly funded family planning services, the rate of unintended pregnancies and abortions in the United States would be nearly two-thirds higher.
In 2018 alone, services at Title X-funded clinics helped prevent an estimated 822,000 unintended pregnancies. The program’s cancer screening services detect thousands of cases of cervical and breast cancer each year at early, treatable stages. STI testing and treatment services interrupt transmission chains that would otherwise lead to widespread infection and long-term health complications.
Beyond direct health impacts, Title X clinics serve as trusted community resources, particularly for young people, immigrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, and others who may face barriers to accessing mainstream healthcare. The program’s emphasis on confidentiality and nonjudgmental care creates an environment where patients feel safe seeking help for sensitive health concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Title X just for women? No. While most patients are women, Title X clinics serve men as well, offering STI testing, contraceptive counseling, and preventive screenings.
Do I need a referral? No. You can go directly to any Title X clinic without a referral from another provider.
Will my parents find out if I go to a Title X clinic? Title X regulations require strict confidentiality. If you are a minor, your visit will not be disclosed to your parents unless you give permission or unless state mandatory reporting laws apply (such as suspected abuse).
Can I get an abortion at a Title X clinic? No. Title X funds cannot be used to provide abortions. However, clinics provide nondirective pregnancy options counseling and can provide referrals upon request.
What if I already have insurance? You can still use a Title X clinic. Your insurance may be billed for covered services, but you will receive sliding fee assistance for any remaining costs based on your income.
Are Title X clinics safe? Yes. Title X clinics must meet federal quality standards, employ licensed healthcare providers, and follow evidence-based clinical guidelines. The quality of care is comparable to private medical practices.
How to Get Started
- Visit the Title X clinic locator at opa.hhs.gov
- Call 211 for local reproductive health service referrals
- Contact your local health department and ask about family planning services
- Walk into any Planned Parenthood, community health center, or hospital clinic that receives Title X funding
Title X has been serving Americans for over 50 years because reproductive healthcare is essential healthcare. If cost has been a barrier to getting contraception, STI testing, cancer screenings, or a wellness exam, a Title X clinic can help you access the care you need at a price you can afford—including no cost at all.