CHICAGO—Planned Parenthood of Illinois ( PPIL ) is launching a new telehealth service in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The service allows patients to access high-quality, affordable health care through a private and secure video conferencing platform that connects them with PPIL's trusted providers from the safety of their home. The video-based telehealth service joins PPIL's app, Planned Parenthood Direct, in providing new access points for patients during this public health crisis and beyond.
"The COVID-19 pandemic is a major challenge for everyone in health care. During these uncertain and challenging times, Planned Parenthood of Illinois remains steadfastly committed to ensuring patients can access safe, affordable, high-quality sexual and reproductive health care services," said Jennifer Welch, president and CEO of PPIL. "We are proud to use technology and innovation to reach people in a timely and personalized way, with the care and information they need when and where they need it."
Through video-based telehealth visits, patients can access needed services with fewer visits or without having to visit a health center at all. PPIL is committed to answering patients' questions, managing their prescriptions, and helping address sexual and reproductive health care needs remotely. Patients can use telehealth for visits related to:
Contraceptive counseling
Emergency contraception
Problem visits, including breast problems
Urinary Tract Infection
Sexually Transmitted Infection treatment
Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy
Pregnancy options counseling
HIV prevention ( including PrEP and nPEP )
Depo Provera
"We know that your sexual, reproductive and primary health care is essential and that it can't wait. As we weather this challenging time together, we don't want you to worry about your birth control, accessing STI tests, or navigating your pregnancy options alone," said Dr. Amy Whitaker, Chief Medical Officer for PPIL. "PPIL is doing everything we can to make your life easier and get you the information and essential health care you need in timely and personalized ways. Whether we provide services in person, online, or by phone—we're here with you."
PPIL has already deployed a number of safety measures designed to protect both staff and patients in response to COVID-19, including a temporary consolidation of services to six Mission Health Centers, remote check-in to reduce the number of patients in our waiting rooms, a universal masking policy for everyone who enters a PPIL health center, and temperature screenings at health center entrances.
PPIL encourages everyone to practice social distancing and follow the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local public health officials to reduce their risk of getting COVID-19 or spreading it to others.
To make a telehealth appointment, call ( 800 ) 230-7527. For more information about PPIL's services, visit www.ppil.org .
Planned Parenthood of Illinois ( PPIL ) provides affordable, high-quality reproductive health care services and medically accurate sexual health education to women, teens and men throughout Illinois. Through medical services, educational programs and advocacy efforts, PPIL works to ensure and protect the reproductive rights of each individual. For more information, visit www.ppil.org .
—From a press release
