Planned Parenthood of Maryland in Baltimore: Abortion, Contraception, and Sexual Health Care

Planned Parenthood of Maryland operates multiple health centers across the state, including locations in Baltimore that provide abortion services, contraception, STI testing and treatment, cancer screenings, and general sexual health care for all ages. The organization functions as an independent nonprofit separate from hospital systems, maintaining its own scheduling, billing, and intake processes.

What Planned Parenthood of Maryland actually is

Planned Parenthood of Maryland is a nonprofit health provider that operates clinics where the primary services center on reproductive health: contraception methods, abortion care, pregnancy options counseling, STI diagnosis and treatment, cervical cancer screening, and sexual health education. Unlike Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in Baltimore that offer primary care alongside reproductive services, Planned Parenthood of Maryland clinics focus specifically on reproductive and sexual health. The organization does not require referrals and accepts walk-ins for some services, though appointment-based care is standard.

Services and pricing

Contraception methods include oral birth control pills, patches, vaginal rings, intrauterine devices (IUDs), and injectable hormonal contraception. Pill packs typically range from $15 to $50 per month depending on insurance coverage and the specific formulation; uninsured patients pay on a sliding scale. IUD insertion costs $0 to $300 uninsured depending on financial need; Medicaid and private insurance usually cover the full cost. Nexplanon (implant) insertion runs $0 to $250 uninsured.

Abortion services include medication abortion (pills) and aspiration abortion (surgical). Medication abortion costs $450 to $750 uninsured at Maryland clinics and is available up to 11 weeks of pregnancy. Aspiration abortion costs $500 to $950 uninsured depending on how far along the pregnancy is; costs rise in 2-week increments as gestational age increases. Most insurance plans cover abortion at no out-of-pocket cost, though some policies require a copay. Medicaid in Maryland covers abortion without restrictions.

STI testing and treatment start at $0 to $75 for testing on a sliding scale; treatment for gonorrhea, chlamydia, or trichomoniasis typically costs $0 to $50 uninsured. Pap smears cost $0 to $100 uninsured. Pregnancy tests run $0 to $25. Annual wellness visits that include blood pressure, weight, and health history cost $0 to $100 uninsured on a sliding scale.

Prices shift quarterly in response to Medicaid reimbursement rates and sliding scale adjustments; confirm exact costs when scheduling.

How it compares to other Baltimore-area options

Baltimore-area alternatives for contraception and sexual health testing include University of Maryland Medical Center's family planning clinics, which accept all insurance types and Medicaid but operate on a hospital system appointment schedule that typically requires 2 to 4 weeks' lead time. Johns Hopkins Bayview offers similar services but focuses primarily on patients already connected to Johns Hopkins primary care. FQHCs such as Chase Brexton Health Care operate in Baltimore and provide sexual health services alongside primary care; they are often available to uninsured patients within a week.

For abortion care specifically, Planned Parenthood of Maryland remains the main surgical abortion provider in Baltimore itself. Some Maryland residents travel to abortion clinics outside the state due to longer gestational limits or cost differences, but legal restrictions and travel time often make in-state access more practical. Medication abortion availability has expanded at other clinics statewide in recent years; residents can contact the National Abortion Federation hotline to identify current in-state and regional providers.

Who it suits and who it does not suit

Planned Parenthood of Maryland suits people seeking focused reproductive and sexual health care without navigating a larger hospital system, those without insurance or with limited income (the sliding scale accepts patients earning 0 to 400 percent of federal poverty level), and patients who value privacy and a dedicated sexual health focus. It also serves young people and teens who may want reproductive information separate from their primary care provider.

This is not the right choice for patients seeking primary care (blood pressure medication, diabetes management, routine physicals unrelated to sexual health), patients requiring complex gynecologic surgery or high-risk obstetric care (which is outside Planned Parenthood's scope), or those who need services unavailable at the clinic level, such as certain gynecologic imaging or specialty referrals.

What the first visit involves

First-time patients should plan for 90 minutes to two hours. Intake staff collect medical history, current medications, sexual health history, and insurance information on paper or via a digital form. A clinician (nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or doctor) performs a confidential consultation covering the reason for the visit, contraceptive history, sexual history, and risk factors. A pelvic exam or STI test may occur depending on the visit reason. Patients then discuss options, such as which contraceptive method suits them best or what abortion care involves, and receive take-home materials. If scheduling a procedure, a follow-up appointment is booked at that time. All conversations are confidential and not shared with parents or partners unless the patient explicitly requests otherwise.

Hours, parking, and logistics

Planned Parenthood of Maryland operates several Baltimore-area locations; the main downtown clinic is at 105 E. Madison Street and is open Monday through Friday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Saturday 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, with limited hours on Wednesday (10:00 AM to 6:00 PM). A secondary location operates in East Baltimore. Parking is available on the street or in nearby paid lots; the Madison Street clinic sits one block from the Cathedral Hill parking garage. Walk-ins are accepted for contraception consultation and STI testing depending on same-day availability; abortion care and some services require advance scheduling. Hours may shift seasonally; verify before visiting.

Planned Parenthood of Maryland fills a focused role in Baltimore's reproductive health landscape, offering confidential sexual health and abortion care outside hospital systems and with flexible payment based on income.