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Contraceptive Care Q&A

Walk-In Contraceptive Services

Q1:

What are walk-in contraceptive services?

A:

A resource within a military hospital or clinic where you can come during set hours to get comprehensive contraceptive care in a single visit. This is a place where you can discuss your reproductive thoughts, goals, and contraception needs with a medical provider. Together, you will decide on the option that meets your reproductive needs. This service is designed to be a single appointment reducing the need for referrals and multiple appointments. 

Q2:

What is the purpose of walk-in contraceptive services?

A:

Walk-in contraceptive services improve access to contraceptive care and counseling, which is an essential part of beneficiaries’ health care. Reproductive health decisions, including family building and menstrual regulation, are important parts of overall health, wellness, and quality of life. 

Q3:

Do I need an appointment?

A:

No. Check the

military hospital or clinic website

for hours and days of operation at your location. 

Q5:

Will I get to see a doctor?

A:

Walk-in contraceptive services will be staffed with health care personnel that may include physicians, certified nurse midwives, nurse practitioners and/or physician assistants who are trained and educated in the full range of contraceptive methods, to include appropriate credentialing for long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC) placement.

Q6:

Who can use walk-in contraceptive services?

A:

All active duty service members are able to use walk-in contraceptive services. Also, on a space available basis, eligible beneficiaries who can get pregnant (for example, women, transgender males, non-binary individuals) can also use the walk-in services.

Q7:

Can eligible beneficiaries under 18 use walk-in contraceptive services?

A:

Can eligible beneficiaries under 18 use walk-in contraceptive services? Yes, if space is available. Check the military hospital or clinic website for hours and days of operation at your location.

Q8:

What services can I get at a walk-in contraceptive service location?

A:

Walk-in contraceptive services will include: 

  • Pregnancy screening
  • Contraception counseling
  • Access to a full range of contraceptive methods for pregnancy prevention or menstrual suppression including: 
    • Short-acting reversible contraceptives (SARCs) (for example, pill, patch, ring)
    • Hormonal and non-hormonal long-acting reversible contraceptives LARCs (for example, subdermal contraceptive implants, intrauterine devices [IUDS])
    • Emergency contraception (for example, oral levonorgestrel, Plan B), ullipristal acetate (ella), and IUDs
  • Education on menstrual suppression, which may assist active duty service members before deploying
  • Education on barrier contraception (for example, condoms, diaphragms, vaginal caps)
  • Education on natural family planning
  • Access to testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections

Q9:

What if I need to fill a prescription after my walk-in contraceptive visit?

A:

You can get your prescriptions at a military pharmacy, retail network pharmacy, or via home delivery. TRICARE doesn’t pay for condoms, gels, foams or creams. You will need to buy these items.  

Q10:

What do I do if I need a follow-up appointment after visiting a walk-in contraceptive services location? For example, what if I have a problem with an IUD or diaphragm?

A:

You can send a secure message to the provider you saw at the walk-in location. The provider may make a recommendation for a follow-up visit. You may also make a primary care or same-day appointment. If it’s an urgent issue or concern, go to the nearest urgent care or emergency department.

Q11:

Do I have to use walk-in contraceptive services to get birth control or other contraceptive services?

A:

No. You can get contraceptive care in primary care, family medicine, adolescent pediatrics, and women’s health clinics. You may need a referral for some of the specialty clinics and you may have to wait for an available appointment. 

Q12:

When will my military hospital or clinic’s walk-in contraceptive services be available?

A:

Before or by the end of January 2023. Check your military hospital or clinic website for information on when their walk-in contraceptive services will be available.

Q13:

Am I guaranteed to be seen on the day I arrive at a walk-in contraceptive services location?

A:

Walk-in appointments are based on availability. Visit your military hospital or clinic website for walk-in contraceptive services hours of operation. If there is no available time on the day you arrive, you have the option of coming back for the next available walk-in appointment.

Q14:

Where can I find my military hospital or clinic’s walk-in contraceptive services?

A:

Check your military hospital or clinic website to find your specific walk-in contraceptive services location once operational.

Q15:

Where can I find my MTF’s walk-in contraceptive services hours?

A:

Check your military hospital or clinic website to find hours of operation for walk-in contraceptive services at your military hospital or clinic.

Last Updated: July 31, 2024
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