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This fall, Planned Parenthood of Northern New England switched to an "express" service model in the Central Vermont area, scaling back its services in Randolph to twice-monthly, while adding a once-a-month clinic at Vermont Law School in South Royalton. At these "Planned Parenthood Express" sites, Certified Physician Assistant Amy Borgman now offers a variety of "clothes-on care," including birth control information and prescriptions, pregnancy testing, emergency contraception, and testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections. No appointments are necessary, and Planned Parenthood’s confidential services are offered to men as well as women. However, Borgman, who has been Planned Parenthood’s service provider in Randolph for about 15 years, no longer offers physical examinations in the White River Valley area. "Medical advancements over the past few years have enabled us to provide many of our services without full exams," she noted. Planned Parenthood continues to offer its "full array of services," including physical exams, at the Planned Parenthood’s permanent health centers, such as those in Barre and West Lebanon, N.H. The new hours in South Royalton, open to the public but used mostly by law students, have been very successful, according to Borgman. The clinics, held in the Chase breezeway at VLS, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month, are especially convenient for students. Borgman noted that her VLS patients invariably arrive with all required paperwork in hand, and take the time to read all the fine-print disclosure statements they are given. In Randolph The change to the "Express" model in Randolph has been harder, as it resulted in a roll-back both in hours and in the range of services that had been offered in town for about 20 years. Borgman, who up until September was holding weekly clinics in Randolph at the Mari-Castle complex, is now in Randolph twice a month, dispensing "Express" services in the conference room at the Ayers Brook Center, off Forest Street. Hours are 2-6 p.m., on the first and third Thursdays of each month. Borgman said that her client base in Randolph, which initially dropped, has started to rebuild as patients seek out PP at its new location. Although Planned Parenthood’s service model in Randolph has changed, Borgman remains Planned Parenthood’s trusted and familiar provider here. "Oh, yes, people (who have been her patients) are bringing their daughters to me," she said. In Randolph, the switch to the "Express" model was a response, primarily, to financial pressures, according to Borgman. The costs of renting a permanent site, set up as an examining office, proved too high, she said. The switch to a "mobile" service, however, has a drawback. Most health insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, will not "certify" services offered in mobile sites. As a result, health insurance may pay for medications and birth control supplies dispensed at the clinic, but not other costs. Borgman emphasized, however, that Planned Parenthood continues to charge by a "sliding fee, system that allows us to adjust fees to peoples’ ability to pay." The switch to a scaled-back "Express" service is not unique to this region. Planned Parenthood organizations throughout the country are opening "Express Care centers," offering walk-in services at shopping malls and other locations, Borgman noted. Planned Parenthood also offers "Express" services at other sites, including one in Montpelier. PPNNE is contemplating taking its Express-care model "on the road," to bring services to festivals, concerts, and "to college campuses for wellness days," Borgman noted Planned Parenthood can also mail birth control supplies to patients, Borgman said, adding, "We try hard to make things convenient for patients." PPNNE is a major health care provider in Vermont, Borgman noted. Planned Parenthood has more sites in Vermont, per capita, than in any other state. In Vermont, Planned Parenthood does more PAP (for detection of cervical cancer) and STI (sexually transmitted infection) screening that any other provider in state. The agency receives state funding to support its STI testing, she noted. For more information about Planned Parenthood Express, call toll-free, 1-866-476-1321, email ppexpressVT@ppnne.org, or visit www.ppnne.org/express. ___________ |
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