General Services

Our commitment towards providing comprehensive care is broad. We consider the whole person in the delivery of our health care services. Clinical services for women include but are not limited to: complete physical exams, pelvic exams, breast exams, pap smears, pregnancy testing, and screening for vaginal infections and for minor blood disorders.

We offer a full range of birth control options on site and by prescription. Both men and women have the opportunity to be tested and treated for sexually transmitted infections. We also offer anonymous and confidential HIV counseling and testing for both men and women.

Physical examination is available to male clients including height and weight, examination of the thyroid, heart, lungs, breasts, abdomen, extremities, genitals and rectum. Male examination also includes palpation of the prostate, as appropriate, and instructions in self-examination of the testes. The importance of the following is stressed to male clients: blood pressure evaluation, colorectal screening if over 40 and HIV and STI screening.

If you are planning a pregnancy and would like advice on how to have a healthy pregnancy call for an appointment for a preconception planning visit.

Confidentiality of Services

Services at Greene County Family Planning are confidential as described in the Program Guidelines for Project Grants for Family Planning Services:

United States Department of Health and Human Services

Office of Public Health and Science, Office of Population Affairs

Office of Family Planning

4350 East West Highway, Suite 200

Bethesda, Maryland 20814:
“Every project must assure client confidentiality and provide safeguards for individuals against the invasion of personal privacy, as required by the Privacy Act. No information obtained by the project staff about individuals receiving services may be disclosed without the individual’s written consent, except as required by law or as necessary to provide services to the individual, with appropriate safeguards for confidentiality. Information may otherwise be disclosed only in summary, statistical, or other form that does not identify the individual [59.11].”

Female Services

At your first visit to Greene County Family Planning:

1. Plan to arrive 15 minutes ahead of time to have time to complete paperwork. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Please bring a list of all medications including any herbal products you might use.

About the Visit

You may have a physical exam depending on what you are here for and at the discretion of the clinician.  A woman should have their first pap smear exam at the age of 21.  Pelvic exam is not required to start most forms of birth control.

Simple but very important diagnostic tests will be performed. Based on a clients needs, we offer testing for HIV or other sexually transmitted infections, Hepatitis C, pregnancy tests, and other tests as indicated. For mammograms and ultrasounds, referrals can be provided if needed.

Clients will be offered, if appropriate, information about Hepatitis A, B and C  as well as information about Gardasil (the vaccine that protects you from 4 high risk strains of HPV which are linked to cervical cancer and genital warts).  Vaccinations for Hepatitis A and B can be provided by our Public Health clinic.

Clients will be provided information on risk reduction measures for tobacco, alcohol, and other substances. Information and referrals for local resources may be provided.

Other counseling offered includes:  domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault and coercion, depression or suicidal feelings, obesity, nutrition, exercise and reproductive life plan.

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

Find out more information about HIV testing >

Find out more information about STD testing >

Interested in Contraception?

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.

Mayo Clinic Birth Control Information

Annual Visit

This is the important yearly visit for both men and women.

What is an annual visit and what can you expect?

A patient should come to an annual appointment 15 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 a “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.
• If there have been any changes in your health, medications, or contact information please let us know. You should bring any insurance cards if you have insurance and come prepared to pay your co-pay.
• Make sure you know a way for us to contact you. It can be a 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.

All of the procedures listed below, if appropriate to age and sexual history of the client, that are part of an initial visit will be performed again.

Your Reproductive Life Plan

We  offer guidance to both men and women to help them plan the spacing and timing of their children. We begin these discussions on their first visit, and review their plan in each annual visit.  For information, see the Reproductive Life Plan from the CDC.

Women’s Annual Examination

The complete physical examination for women includes but is not limited to 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 more information click on the following links:

Men’s Annual Examination

For men the examination includes height and weight, examination of the thyroid, heart, lungs, breasts, abdomen, extremities, genitals and rectum. Examination should also include instructions in self-examination of the testes. The importance of the following is stressed to male clients:

“Blood pressure evaluation, colo-rectal cancer screening in individuals over 50; and STD and HIV screening, as indicated.”

Diagnostic Tests

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

Valuable Information & Counseling

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 for contraceptive use.

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 issue.

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

Find out more information about HIV testing >

Find out more information about STD testing >

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

Family Planning Benefit Program

The Family Planning Benefit Program can help you get services for free if you qualify.

All of your care is confidential. Women, men and teens can apply.

In order to qualify you must:

• Live in New York State.
• Be a US Citizen, National, Native American, or have satisfactory immigration status.
• Be able to have children (Males are eligible too).
• Meet income guidelines.
• Do not qualify or do not choose to apply for Medicaid or Family Health Plus.

The following services at Greene County Family Planning are available for free under the Family Planning Benefit Program:

• All forms of birth control, including condoms.
• Information about birth control choices and family planning.
• Emergency Contraception.
• Exams and pap tests.
• Lab tests related to family planning services.
• HIV counseling and testing related to a family planning visit.
• Sterilization is also an eligible service for both men and women under the Family Planning Benefit Program, but we do not perform sterilization procedures. We can give you information about sterilization procedures and a list of providers who perform them.

Applying for this great program is easy!

When you call to make your appointment, tell the staff person from Greene County Family Planning that you want to apply for the Family Planning Benefit Program.

You will need to bring the following to your visit:

• A photo ID (if you are in school or college, a school/college photo ID is acceptable).
• Proof of current physical address:  a piece of mail that was sent to you that has your physical address on it. For example: street, road, highway. No Post Office Box addresses are acceptable. If your address is a Post Office Box, you could mail an empty envelope to yourself or have someone mail something to you with your name, then your Post Office Box Number, then your street address, town, state, and zip code.
• Social Security Number
• Proof of Income:  if you are working, please bring your last four pay stubs.
• If your situation makes the above requirements difficult or if you have any questions please call 719-3580.