Our Services

Howard County Health Department provides Sexual and Reproductive Health Services to Howard County women, men and teens and LGBTQIA+ communities. At our clinics there is no residency requirement, no one is turned away because of ability to pay, services are confidential, and there is no need for parental consent, regardless of age.

We have both onsite and telehealth services available and we always accept new patients. Call us for more information: 410-313-7500.

Your Sexual Health - We're Here for You - 410-313-7500 - Birth control, STI Testing/Treatment, PrEP and more
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Think you're not at risk for cancer? Think again! Protect yourself. Get the HPV vaccine.

HPV

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Protect Yourself - Learn More About the HPV Vaccine

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What is HPV?

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a common viral infection that has many different strains. HPV can cause many health problems such as genital warts, mouth/throat cancers, and cervical cancer. HPV can be spread both sexually and through close skin-to-skin touching. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the US with sexually active people having a 70% chance of being infected with HPV.

HPV Risk Factors

  • Males
    • Males are at a greater risk for HPV associated cancers because there is no screening for penile and mouth/throat cancer like there is for cervical cancer in females.
  • Multiple Sexual Partners
    • Those with multiple sexual partners are at greater risk to encounter HPV and become infected.
  • Abnormal HPV test
    • Those with an abnormal HPV test are at greater risk for developing an HPV-associated condition.

HPV Prevention

  • HPV vaccine
  • Condom use
  • Regular pap smear

HPV Vaccine

  • Eligibility
    • Males and Females approved for vaccination from ages 9-25
    • Males and Females ages 26-45 need doctor’s recommendation 
  • Where to get the HPV vaccine
    • HCHD (Call 410-313-7500 to schedule an appointment)
    • Howard Community College Wellness Center (available to everyone working or taking classes at HCC)
    • Primary Care Provider
    • Other college wellness centers (Check availability)
    • Urgent care centers/pharmacies (Check availability for specific locations)

Sexual and Reproductive Health Clinic Schedule Locations

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Howard County Health Department

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Day   In-Person Clinics Telehealth Services
Monday 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.  Call for availability
Tuesday 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Call for availability
Wednesday 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Call for availability
Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.  Call for availability
Friday 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Call for availability

Location: 8930 Stanford Blvd., Columbia, MD 21045

Mondays-Nurse Visits Only. (STI testing, HIV, Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Urine Pregnancy Testing, and Emergency Contraception)

Call 410-313-7500 to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins/call-ins always accepted when a provider is available. (Se habla español.)

We see uninsured or underinsured clients. Payments for services are based on a sliding fee

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North Laurel Community Center

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Date  Time Services Offered
March 28, 2024 12:30pm-3:30pm. Gonorrhea and Chlamydia- Urine, Throat, Rectal, Rapid HIV (OraQuik), Rapid HCV (OraQuik), Pregnancy Testing
April 11, 2024 12:30pm-3:30pm. Gonorrhea and Chlamydia- Urine, Throat, Rectal, Rapid HIV (OraQuik), Rapid HCV (OraQuik), Pregnancy Testing
April 25, 2024 12:30pm-3:30pm. Gonorrhea and Chlamydia- Urine, Throat, Rectal, Rapid HIV (OraQuik), Rapid HCV (OraQuik), Pregnancy Testing
May 23, 2024 12:30pm-3:30pm. Gonorrhea and Chlamydia- Urine, Throat, Rectal, Rapid HIV (OraQuik), Rapid HCV (OraQuik), Pregnancy Testing

Location:  9411 Whiskey Bottom Rd., Laurel, MD 20723

Free walk-in STI testing. No residency requirements, no income or insurance verification. Walk-ins only. No STI treatment options available at this location.

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Howard Community College

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Day  Time Services Offered
Monday 12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. STI testing and treatment, HPV vaccine, contraceptive counseling, birth control starts, PAP smears, breast exams. 
Tuesday 12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. STI testing and treatment, HPV vaccine, contraceptive counseling, birth control starts.
Wednesday 12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. STI testing and treatment, HPV vaccine, contraceptive counseling.

Location: 10901 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia, MD 21044 

Available to all individuals working or taking classes at HCC. Call 410-313-7500 for any questions about eligibility for services.

  • Mondays- Nurse and Provider available 
  • Tuesdays- Nurse, Call for Telehealth availability
  • Wednesdays- Nurse only available

Walk-ins and appointments available, commercial and private insurance accepted, also accept self-pay and fee scale. STI Services for those 19 and under are completely free. No one will be turned away for inability to pay.

 

 

Health Clinic Information

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Our Services

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  • Reproductive (Sexual) Health Education for Men and Women
  • Pre-conceptual (pre-pregnancy) Health Counseling
  • Gynecological Exams
  • Birth Control Choices: Oral Contraceptives, Depo-Provera, Paragard IUD, Mirena IUD, Nexplanon and additional birth control choices available by prescription 
  • Condom Distribution Program
  • Pregnancy Testing
  • Emergency Contraception - (Walk-in or appointment Monday-Thursday 8:30am-3:30pm - Visit includes counseling with a nurse, pregnancy test and Emergency Contraception, all performed in office)
  • Breast Examinations and Mammogram Referrals
  • Pap Screening and Colposcopy Services
  • HPV (Human Papillomavirus) Vaccine - Ages 11-26
  • Smoking Cessation (Quitting) Classes
  • Sexually Transmitted Infections
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Expedited Partner Therapy
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Telehealth Services

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Telehealth services are available through our reproductive health program by appointment only. Don't have an appointment? Call for a same day appointment, when a provider is available. Use your own smart phone or computer to have a visit with our clinicians without having to leave home! (Don’t have a smart phone? If you have medical assistance, you may be eligible for a free smart phone and data plan.)

Schedule a telehealth appointment if you are interested in:

  • Speaking to a provider about STI testing, STI test results, or STI treatment options.
  • Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention.
  • Getting started on birth control or changing your birth control method.
  • Planning a pregnancy within the next year.

Call us 410-313-7500 to learn more and schedule an appointment.

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Hand holding a cell phone with image of healthcare-provider. Reproductive telehealth

Funded by OPA/OASH/HHS

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Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

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We provide testing and/or treatment for:

STI testing is Monday through Friday by appointment only.
Call our office at 410-313-7500.

For additional information visit the Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Program webage.

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HIV/AIDS Testing & Counseling

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We provide ANONYMOUS and CONFIDENTIAL HIV/AIDS testing.

Testing is free and occurs every Friday (9:30am-3:00pm), appointments preferred, but walk-ins are welcome


Call us at 410-313-7500 to make an appointment.  

Visit the HIV/AIDS webpage for more information.
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She is my friend

 

 

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Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)

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PrEP can reduce your risk of HIV infection from sex by 99% .

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Condom Distribution Program

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The Health Department offers FREE safer sex supplies, including condoms, lubricants, internal condoms, and dental dams, to all Howard County residents! Fill out this form and we will mail you the supplies you need in a discrete envelope.  

Telehealth FAQs

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What services are offered via Telehealth?

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  • Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) screening and education
  • Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention
  • Birth Control method starts, changes, and counseling
  • Pre-conception counseling (for those planning a pregnancy within the next year)
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What do I need for a telehealth visit?

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  • A charged smartphone or internet enabled device with working sound and video
  • A secure, reliable internet connection
  • The appointment link texted to you by the Health Department
  • A quiet, private space where you feel comfortable discussing your sexual history
  • Optional: Any at-home monitoring supplies for tracking heart rate, blood pressure, or weight (e.g. Smartwatch/FitBit, personal BP cuff, scale) available and ready to use
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How do I know if I’m eligible for Telehealth?

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  • If you are a current or previous Howard County Health Department Family Planning, STI, or PrEP patient, you are eligible for Telehealth.
  • New patients may also be eligible! Call us at 410-313-7500 for more information.
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Are Telehealth visits covered by insurance? What if I’m uninsured?

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  • If you are insured, telehealth visits may be covered by your insurance.
  •  For those who are uninsured or who have questions about their coverage, call us at 410-313- 7500 and we will review your options, as well as give you a Good Faith Estimate for the potential cost of services.
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How do I schedule a telehealth visit?

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Call us at 410-313-7500 to schedule an appointment. Same day visits are often available!

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How do I get started with my telehealth visit?

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  • 10 minutes before your appointment time, click the link you received from the Health Department to join the meeting. This will take you to the ‘Check-In’ screen.
  • Type your First and Last Name and Click ‘Check-In.’
  • Click ‘Enable Camera’ and then ‘Allow’ when prompted to give Doxy.me access to your Microphone and Camera. After this you will be brought in to your provider’s waiting room.
  • When the provider starts your visit, you will be notified that the visit is beginning and he or she will automatically appear on your screen.
  • If a provider does not join your appointment within 15 minutes of your appointment time, please call 410-313-7500 for assistance.
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What can I expect at my telehealth visit?

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During the visit the provider will: 

  • Review your medical history, including symptoms, new or chronic health conditions, allergies, and any medications you currently are taking
  • Conduct a virtual exam
  • Provide diagnosis and treatment recommendations, as well as any pertinent health education
  • Place orders for any needed follow-up testing and/or electronically send any prescriptions to your preferred pharmacy

We are committed to providing you the same high-quality, patient-centered care you’d receive at an in-office visit!

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What should I do if I’m having trouble connecting to the telehealth visit?

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  • Make sure the browser you are using (e.g. Chrome, Safari, Firefox) is updated to the newest version.
  • If you are having trouble connecting your video or audio, check the camera and microphone settings on your device.
  • If you are having trouble staying connected to your at-home Wi-Fi, try disconnecting other devices from your network. Also, make sure that you are in range of your Wi-Fi signal meter. Walls and furniture can block Wi-Fi and disrupt your connection.
  • If you are having trouble staying connected to Wi-Fi on your mobile device, try turning off your Wi-Fi and using your cellular data instead.
  • If you are still having trouble connecting, call the clinic Front Desk at 410-313-7500 for assistance.
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What if I need to come to the Health Department for testing or follow-up after my telehealth visit?

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During your telehealth visit, the provider will let you know if an in-person follow-up appointment is recommended. After your telehealth visit, a staff member will reach out to you to schedule your in-person appointment. If you have not received a call within 1 business day or if you’d like to schedule your appointment sooner, please call our clinic Front Desk at 410-313-7500.

Same day appointments for follow-up testing or treatment are often available!

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What if I develop new symptoms or my condition gets worse after I schedule my telehealth visit?

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  • Call the clinic Front Desk at 410-313-7500 to check whether a telehealth or in-person appointment is best for your changing situation.
  • If you feel that you are in distress and need immediate medical care, please dial 911 or go to the closest emergency department.

 

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Are interpretation services available during a telehealth visit?

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  • Yes! We have access to medically trained audio interpreters in 200+ languages. Interpreters can join the call within minutes to provide confidential and linguistically appropriate services to ensure that you can fully participate in your care.
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Can I do a telehealth visit while I am traveling?

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  • It depends. You do not have to be at home, but you must be in the state of Maryland during your telehealth visit.

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