Can Teens Access Healthcare Alone?
Washington State Department of Health has outlined the legal ages of consent for a variety of healthcare services in Washington State.
Washington State Department of Health has outlined the legal ages of consent for a variety of healthcare services in Washington State, including:
- Sexually transmitted disease testing and treatment, if 14 years or older
- Birth control services, at any age
- Prenatal care services, at any age
- Abortion services, at any age
- Outpatient mental health, if 13 years or older
- Outpatient substance abuse treatment, if 13 years or older
Washington State Healthcare Authority has a program called Family Planning Only that, in addition to comprehensive reproductive health care, provides free pregnancy prevention care to those on a limited income but who make too much money to qualify for Apple Health. This insurance also allows teens to access free birth control methods confidentially without parental consent or parental insurance.