What is it?

• The state of Minnesota began a 5 year demonstration project in July 2006 that pays the entire cost for low-income women’s pregnancy prevention services.

Who can get it?

• Ages 15-50 year olds
• MN resident (or intent to be)
• Not enrolled in other MN Health Care programs (i.e. MN Care, Medical Assistance)
• Meet income limit of < $1634/month (earn approximately $400 or less per week)
• Main reason for medical visit is for family planning services

• Family planning exams and education
• Birth control methods
• Plan B/ Emergency Contraceptive Pill, also known as the Morning After Pill
• Pregnancy testing and/or counseling
• Diagnosis and treatment of STIs found during a family planning visit (Note: follow-up visits for STI infections are not covered, medications are.)

• This program follows all state and federal privacy laws
• If the client wants, the WSTC address may be used for the mailing address
• Phone numbers are requested- give one you’re okay with someone calling
• You do NOT need to tell if you have other private health care insurance
• You do not need a parent’s permission to apply

• Come into WSTC for an application (during your scheduled or walk-in visit- it takes 5 minutes to fill out)
• Short term coverage starts that day
• To continue eligibility you must provide proof of identity, citizenship & income by the end of the following month. (Either bring the day you visit or go home afterwards, find your “proofs” and mail/ fax/ bring into clinic within the next month)
• If you do not provide the proof on time, your approval will end the last day of the next month. You can reapply by submitting the proofs but will need to cover the charge of the visit until the application is processed.

• Bring to WSTC, we’ll make the copies
• Proof of identity: Either a passport, or a birth certificate with another form of photo ID (like a drivers license, school ID, fitness club ID, etc.)
• Proof of income: If you work, we need paycheck stubs to show what you approximately earn for a month
• Call Wendy if any questions or concerns. She can help you figure out what to bring- it’s not as tricky as it sounds.

• There is no cost to the client (yep, most family planning services are FREE!)
• WSTC can continue to operate because we get paid by the government to provide our clients with quality family planning services
• The client is eligible for the entire year, then fills out a quick renewal form to continue into the next year
• We can show the government that by funding prevention and health promotion they may lower other costs they have (like support services for unplanned pregnancy, low income parents, housing, increased crime- which is often related to these factors, and more)