Under the Affordable Care Act, young adults can continue to be covered under their parent’s health insurance until age 26. The following preventive services must now be covered FREE OF CHARGE by insurance providers:

1. Birth control (this includes the ones approved on this website)
2. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) testing
3. Blood pressure and Cholesterol screenings
4. Prenatal and New baby care

Maryland has expanded its free family planning (birth control) program for women who aren't covered with other health insurance. There is no minimum age for the program and you don’t need a parent's signature to apply. The program covers counseling, medical exams, follow up visits and a birth control methods. You must be a US citizen or legal resident and live in Maryland. Enrollment takes about 45 days to process. If you are eligible, you will get a card to take to any provider who accepts the purple and white Medicaid card. To find out if you’re eligible for free birth control, contact Health Care Access of Maryland (410)-649-0500.

President Barack Obama created a law will allow ALL United States citizens to have health insurance. This law will take effect in 2014. Financial assistance will be available for many people to reduce the costs of buying health insurance.

The Maryland Health Benefit Exchange Act of 2011, will allow Marylanders who are at or below 400% of the federal poverty level to purchase affordable health insurance. This marketplace will offer insurance coverage to those who make too much for the state insurance, but can’t afford the private insurance.

Visit Health Care Access of Maryland healthcareaccessmaryland.org/healthcare-reform/

For a complete list of preventative health services, visit U.S.DHHS healthcare.gov/center/regulations/prevention/recommendations.html

You can have your IUD removed whenever you're ready to get pregnant. The hormones in your body should go back to normal quickly and you can start trying right away.

Yes, the hormones used in the Mirena IUD is used in other birth control methods. It's been used by a lot of women, and it's safe.

No, the only way to protect against STIs if you're having sex is a latex or polyurethane condom. Doubling up with the IUD and condoms is a great option.

You may be a little sore immediately after insertion, but the IUD should not cause pain during sex.

No, the IUD can't hurt your partner, and it's rare that if they can even feel the strings. The IUD strings soften over time, and if it's a problem, your healthcare provider might be able to trim them.

It's totally normal to stop having your period with the IUD or Implant, which many women look at as an added benefit.

Rarely, the IUD can expel or push out of your body. It's uncommon and not usually dangerous, but talk to your provider as soon as it happens.

Yes, the IUD is safe and approved for preventing pregnancy. It is also one of the most widely used methods in the world.

Yes, the small dose of copper is safe as long as you are not allergic.

If you've only had the IUD for a few months or less, it could lessen or go away on its own. Talk to your provider about potential side effects or any questions.

You can have your Implant removed whenever you're ready to get pregnant. The hormones in your body should go back to normal quickly and you can start trying right away.

It shouldn't. You get an injection of numbing medicine through a small needle before your health care provider inserts the implant which only takes a few minutes. That area of your arm may be sore or bruised for a couple days.

It shouldn't. You get an injection of numbing medicine through a small needle before your health care provider removes the implant which only takes a few minutes. That area of your arm may be sore or bruised for a couple days.

If you've only had the Implant for a few months or less, it could lessen or go away on its own. Talk to your provider about potential side effects or any questions.

No, but you can feel it if you press where it was inserted.

If you've only had the Implant for a few months or less, it could lessen or go away on its own. Talk to your provider about potential side effects or any questions.

There is a possibility of weight gain on the shot since it can increase your appetite and make you eat more.

You have to get the shot 4 times a year or every 3 months. It's really important for you to get each shot on time, so websites like bedsider.org offer to send you a phone or email reminder.

It's totally normal to stop having your period with the shot, which many women look at as an added benefit. If you were late getting a shot, consider taking a pregnancy test.

No, birth control pills are very safe if you are healthy. Heavy smokers or women with some medical conditions shouldn't take the pill because of potential risks.

Most pills actually help with acne, so you could talk to provider to see about switching to another kind of pill.

Yes, it's safe and possible to use the pill to control your bleeding. Be sure to talk to your provider first.

Yes, the hormones are released and absorbed through your skin.

Yes, it's really rare that the patch falls off.

It's not recommended since hormone levels from the patch may be a little higher over time than with the pill.

Yes, it's safe and possible to use the ring to control your period. Just use a new ring every three weeks without a 1-week break. Be sure to talk to your provider first.

Absolutely, you insert and remove the ring yourself. It's easy but could take some practice.

Use emergency contraception, also known as the “morning after pill” as soon as you can if the condom broke, spilled, or wasn't used the whole time. Emergency contraception is effective up to five days after sex, but the sooner the better. You may also want to get tested for STIs.

No, emergency contraception works by preventing pregnancy form starting and not if you're already pregnant. If you accidentally take emergency contraception before you know you're pregnant, it won't hurt you or the pregnancy.

It depends on when you took emergency contraception during your monthly cycle. Your period may be a little early, a little late, or right on time. Consider taking a pregnancy test if your next period is more than 2 weeks late.

Condoms should be kept at a moderate temperature (not too hot or too cold). Keeping them in a car or a wallet for long periods of time can damage the structure of the latex causing it to not work properly.

No, only use one method from each category (barrier and hormonal) to decrease friction which will cause the condom to break.