Your Body, Your Rights

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YOUR BODY, YOUR RIGHTS

Legal Rights You Have as a Teenager

Confidentiality means privacy. It means that when you, as a young person from 12-17 years old, talk with your health care provider about certain issues like sex, drugs, and feelings, he or she will not tell your parents or guardians (or boyfriend or girlfriend) what you talk about unless you give your permission.

What should I talk to the doctor or nurse about? Anything! You can talk to your health care provider about anything! Fill your doctor or nurse in if you..

Think you might be pregnant.
Need birth control.
Think you have an STD and want to know.
Need information about alcohol, tobacco, or other drug use.
Want to talk about personal, school, family issues, or feelings about sex and sexuality.

Remember: It’s your right to get these health services confidentially – meaning, the clinic or doctor cannot tell anyone why you were there – unless you say it’s okay.

What will my health care providers tell my parents?

According to California laws, your doctor or nurse cannot tell your parents or guardians anything about your exam if you’re seen for any confidential services. Confidential services include care for problems or concerns in the area of sexuality, mental health, and substance abuse. You, as a young person, can consent for care on your own in these areas. You need your parents’ consents for other health services such as physicals, and care for colds, flu, and injuries. In short, you can’t get aspirin at a clinic by yourself, but you can get birth control.

However…

Some things can’t be kept confidential. Your health care provider will need to contact someone else to help if you say…

You are being abused, physically and/or sexually.
You are going to hurt yourself or someone.
You are under 16 years old and having sex with someone 21 years of age or older.
You are under 14 and having sex with someone 14 years old or older.

Even though you don’t have to ask your parents, it’s a good idea to talk with them or another adult you trust about the medical care you received. We want you to be safe and healthy and it’s important to establish that rapport with an adult in your life. If you have any questions about confidentiality, please ask us!

GREAT! Now who pays for all this? I’m not exactly a teen with unlimited resources of money available.

Payment for sensitive services (i.e. STI testing, pregnancy testing, substance abuse counseling, etc.) can pose an enormous barrier to teens seeking confidential health care. Young people may not have enough money to pay for the services they need.
California state has 2 programs that provides aid to teens for confidential services:

Medi-Cal Minor Consent
Family Pact

	Medi-Cal Minor Consent	F-PACT
Services cover	Pregnancy and pregnancy-related services, including abortion Family planning (birth control) including emergency contraception Drug & alcohol counseling STI testing and treatment Sexual assault treatment	Pregnancy testing, counseling, and referral No prenatal care Family planning, including birth control and Plan B STI testing and treatment Education and counseling about reproductive health HIV testing and counseling Referrals for other services
Age eligibility	12 – 21 years old	For females: 55 and under For males: 60 and under
Income eligibility	Any income	At or below 200% of federal poverty line
Citizenship eligibility	Must be CA resident; social security number is NOT requested	Must be CA resident; social security number is NOT requested
Where to sign up	Visit Elsie Allen Health Center or Santa Rosa Community Health Center's* Teen Clinic for a referral to sign up to program	Visit Elsie Allen Health Center or Santa Rosa Community Health Center's* Teen Clinic for a referral to sign up to program
Term	Must renew program every 30 days	Enrollment good for up to 1 year

*formerly known as Southwest Community Health Center

Have more Questions? Check This Out:

Your Body, Your Rights: Teen's Confidentiality

YOUR BODY, YOUR RIGHTS