Planned Parenthood

The staff here was wonderful. I had an incredibly traumatizing experience with Dr. Stay Fine’s office in Thousand Oaks for the Skyla fitting, and I am so glad I came here. Please note: they accept insurance! I was under the misconception that they didn’t for some reason, but they 100% take insurance.
The skyla IUD was 100% covered by my insurance. (I was told by another doctor, Dr. Stacy Fine, that the procedure would cost $ 750, so I don’t know how they got to that number.) The doctors were incredibly caring, and the whole procedure was very, very fast. They are open on weekends, which was perfect for me. I have been scared to get an IUD, but I am so happy that I have one now! After my appointment, (I went on a Saturday AM) I drove myself home, and actually felt fine! Light bleeding, but not bad at all. I thought after the IUD I would be on bedrest for awhile, but I was totally fine. I even drove again to go pickup food.
It’s advised to take about 800mg of Advil about an hour before the procedure (please call them about that), which I did, and I think that helped. The staff was so friendly, and I really appreciate this clinic being here. This is the best place in Ventura County to come for birth control– trust me.

I come in every year for birth control pills, I always make an appointment so it won’t take forever. I just made an appointment the other day at 8:50, I arrived at 8:40 only to be taken to the back at 9:20. The basic questions they have about my sex life were asked, then they had me pee in a cup for an STD test (even though I repeatedly told them I’ve had the same partner for 4 years). I was then put in a room at 9:30, and I waited to be seen until 10:10. Turns out my birth control is no longer carried at this location, so they sent a prescription to my pharmacy. Looks like I’m not coming to planned parenthood anymore if they’re just going to do what my doctor would do. I loved getting a years worth of pills at once, but now that isn’t an option. I left the doors at 10:30, almost 2 hours after I arrived. This is ridiculous.

I’ve been here previously and it’s usually been pretty good. This time however I’m writing for my spouse. We showed up for her birth control shot and routine check up. Turns out we called prior to make sure everything was fine. Show up day of the appointment and they end up telling us they don’t have the birth control shot. The main reason we went there. Also we were literally the only ones in the waiting room and still waited 40 minutes to not even be called. We ended up just leaving. A phone call to let us know they don’t have the one thing we went there for would have been much more professional.

This is an updated review for a return visit I went to with my sister today.
Upon check in, which we checked in at 10:01 for a 10:20 appointment time, we were informed by the receptionist that «we are running about 15 – 20 mins behind so it’s up to you if you want to wait or not be seen at this time. We had an emergency so we are running a few minutes behind and there are a few patients before you. So it’s up to you if you want to stay.» There are better ways to communicate with patients and better wording to use win patients. Using the term «it’s up to you if you want to stay» is ridiculous, and the medical staff in charge of HR needs to send the staff to serious training on how to communicate with patients appropriately. A better way would be to say, «Miss „…“ We are running behind and we understand your time is valuable. Would you like to reschedule or would you like to wait for your appointment here in the office?»
It appears that this seems to be the common practice and excuse at this location. Perhaps if they didn’t try to squeeze so many patients into the schedule in one day, they wouldn’t overbook to the point where people have to sit so long. I find it hard to believe, especially after numerous reviewers have the same complaint, that day after day they run behind for the same reasons. The reasons they run behind is because of overbooking and and squeezing in too many patients to bill for as much as they can. It’s a shame for the patients.
We did Choose to stay, mainly because we had already paid cash ahead of time at out previous visit for this appointment and I wanted to see how long we actually had to wait again at this appointment.
At 10:38 a nurse came to the window and called my sisters name and said it would still be another 15 mins before she would be called back, this was already 28 mins passed her appointment time and and beyond the ¹⁵⁄₂₀ minute delay they informed us at check in.
They ended up calling her name 50 mins after her scheduled appointment time… At 11:10am. Only then to be put into another room and be told «10 mins wait for the nurse practitioner to see you» and she ended up waiting 30 min in the room before the practitioner came in at 11:40!
All in all this whole experience was less than acceptable. Nearly $ 1000 spent only to have to endure almost 5 hours spent waiting in waiting room areas total, my sister never saw a real Dr. at either visit, only a nurse practitioner, which for what she went in for she should have been seen by a Dr., and personal information was exposed during our first visit due to cramped conditions and no clipboards.
Planned Parenthood did comment and private message, however we waited to respond so we could see if the first visit was just a fluke or if this was a regular occurrence at this facility. I’m glad we waited because this updated review again matches what many others have stated and is an obvious problem at this facility.
Spent a lot of money to be treated like the garbage that gets tossed in the trash can. Never again.

I went to planned parenthood today because I’m in the process of moving and needed a quick birth control appointment. I waited almost an hour before getting called which would be fine but then, I get called in and after I meet with the first nurse she takes me to another room to meet with the second nurse. She told me I’d have to wait 10 – 15 minutes and if she was any longer she’d come in and let me know. So I waited again which was fine until 20 minutes passes and no one comes to tell me anything, more time passes and she finally comes in. She definitely did not make me comfortable and definitely made me feel like she was rushing my appointment. She spent about 5 – 10 minutes with me. She changed my birth control, however she did not give me any information on the birth control she switched me too. She asked me a question that didn’t have to do with my appointment. I also got asked if I would like any condoms and I said yes, only to go to the front and them tell me I can’t have condoms.
I always felt like planned parenthood actually cared about women’s health and was a place for women to go and feel comfortable and in the past I had good expierences. However today at this location I felt the complete opposite.

I normally come to this location and have no problems but I came today and the girl at the front desk was so rude and not welcoming. After signing in with her she told me I would have to wait 30 minutes because a nurse was going to lunch but I sat down and then heard her literally yelling at people who had come in about how they didn’t have an appointment. I felt so uncomfortable and unhappy with how I had been greeted that I didn’t even wait and I left. Definitely will be going to the Ventura location in the future.

They are so nice and friendly here. The staff is professional and they keep the waiting room separated from where you first enter. They are so helpful and talk you through everything you need and answer all your questions. Seriously, this place is an oasis of hope. They rock! And I got condoms and some reading material on my way out. Awesome! ¹⁰⁄₁₀ I would recommend. Super cool.

Worst planned parenthood I have ever been to. Had an appt for 2pm and waited for almost 2 hours before being called in. Please note only 3 of us in the waiting room and the 2 other individuals also said they had been waiting for an unusually long time. I understand this is a free service to most people but if there really is plenty of staff on board and 3 ppl waiting. Just see them and then resume twiddling your fingers and pretend to work. Common curtesy to at least consider the time they have taken out of their schedule to make it to this clinic. I will not be back here for any of my clinical needs.

To start, when making an appointment I called the number — during their business hours — and it just kept going to a recorded message, telling me to call back during business hours??? So I finally said forget this after calling about 10+ times and made the appointment online. All went well with making my appointment time online for 1:50, I should up at 1:30 giving more than enough time to fill out paper work etc. I made the appointment so early/​showed up so early because I had work 3. When I arrived I was told I would probably not be seen by 1:50 because the nurse was with another patient and would be going on lunch after (is there only one nurse??) I have been the only one sitting in the waiting room for 20+ minutes and nothing .
Really sick of the help at this location. The actual doctors are always so nice and helpful, but the receptionists never fail to be snarky, rude and make me feel far more uncomfortable than needed for just being here to get birth control that I donate a good amount of money for. If the staff were nicer it would be a five star for sure

I am so pleased with my first visit. I got there a bit before my appt just bc I am aware there is paperwork to fill out but my wait wasn’t long at all. I got tended to pretty quickly. They answered every single one of my questions and made it all super easy. But the thing I’m most grateful about was how feel comfortable and safe I felt. Also, it’s pretty cheap, considering.

I am no stranger to this planned parenthood. For a long time, I did not have health insurance, and this clinic was the only thing that allowed me to keep and control my fertility issues (or lack thereof).
I had always had good experiences at this office and if I had continued to have had good experiences unlike the one I experienced yesterday, I would have been more than happy to give PP a three or four star review. But what happened yesterday really left a sour taste in my mouth.
I have health insurance now and still choose to come to Planned Parenthood on occasion because they are friendly and I feel comfortable there after going for all these years. When I contacted Planned Parenthood yesterday to see if I could drop in for their service hours, I specifically stated that I needed the Thousand Oaks location and asked for their hours. The website stated six thirty, as did the girl I spoke to on the phone. I asked her what the time for drop-​ins stopped at and she said five thirty. I asked what time the clinic closed on Mondays and was told six thirty. I told her I could make it by five thirty.
So I drove over, from the other end of Simi Valley, and made it in at five twenty-​five. Imagine my surprise when I was told I could not be seen for drop-​in because the hours had ended at five! I was told I could make an appointment for the next day (impossible since I work 9 – 5) or come back on Wednesday when they are open until 7:30. I asked why I was not informed that the clinic closed at six when the website and google states they are open until six thirty. The girl at the front gave me attitude and said this is why she recommended that people call first, yet she had nothing to say when I told her I had called earlier in the day to make sure that I could drop in by five thirty.
They turned me away and told me I was unable to be seen. After I had raced over to get there by five thirty.
I don’t like wasting my time or my gas or being given attitude when it is clearly not my fault that the center cannot be bothered to update their hours of operation. Had I known or been informed by the operator who answered my call at three that day that the clinic was only open until six I would have not even have bothered.
I may go back to the Thousand Oaks planned parenthood, or I may just find another practicioner in my network. I have donated, I have referred friends there and gone there for years, but after yesterday I’m wondering if I should leave this center alone for a time.
I know they exist off of donations and are a non-​profit organization, but just be aware that even though the website says one thing, the girls there may say another.
**********EDIT**********************
I have since updated my review. I have returned there since the incident I posted about for other services and they were extremely helpful and understanding, just like they have been every time I have gone in before.

Earlier in the week I had made an appointment to try and get Skyla a new IUD made specifically for woman who have not had children before. I was so excited when they told me I can go in this Saturday at 10:30am. This is not my first time seeking an IUD or going to planned parenthood. But after my experience at the Thousand Oaks office I am so excited to continue going to them for any future needs as well as refer all my friends to go! I arrived for my appointment at 10:10 am to give myself time to check in a fill out all paperwork needed (3 pages). I had tried to get an IUD before but it was unsuccessful because my uterus size.(5 cm) and in order to qualify to get the IUD you must measure 6 cm at the very least! So I was excited to hear that SKYLA was made specifically for girls/​woman who have not had children. Once I turn in all pages they called me in right away. I was assisted by a awesome chick named Rosie or Rosa! And I explained to her my situation and how excited I was for SKYLA to be available, it was just so easy to talk to her! Then the doctor (catilynn) came in and prepped me for insertion but when it came time to measure me I still was measuring at 5 cm and she had to break the news that it is actually a policy for them not to insert an IUD in anything less than 6 cm. :(I was heartbroken. But I was determined to leave with some sort of birth control that fit my lifestyle and so I asked for the implant, (I guess I was suppose to have to make another appointment for that) and the doctor was so gracious enough to do just that! It was quick!!! So quick all I felt was a poke in my arm and then boom! Done! I am protected against pregnancy for 3 years. I was so thankful for all the staff for helping me and for helping me with an alternative options to the IUD. And I think the best part was that I was out of the office by 11:30AM! 1 hour!!! That is almost unheard of! I’m my previous experiences in other offices, I waited 2 hours in a cramped waiting room just to be told that I did not qualify to be a IUD candidate and then sent off without trying to work with me. So I hope someone reads this and finds it useful to them! You felt safe in their care and comfortable to ask the million questions that I had because they are really helpful and want the best for you as a patient!

Normally I would never write a review for PP.
But out of all of the locations I have been to, the TO one is the best.
Now, lets all make it clear that this is PP and that most of the services are free or low-​charge to clients, so we aren’t going to a high-​end specialist where we should expect to be served champagne while waiting.
I have never had a bad experience with a visit, whether walk-​in or appointment. My best recommendation is to schedule for first thing in the morning which is usually 7:45AM or do a walk-​in between 7:45 and 9:00 AM. This will ensure you get seen as soon as possible. I will be honest, the later the apt time the more likely you will have to wait longer, sometimes up to 30 – 60 min past the appointment time. But hey people these services are FREE.
The nurses (RN’s) sometimes run late in the morning, but even when they have run late, I am always out and on time to work by 9:00am. The re-​fills are usually really quick, and for the most part the staff are generally nice. I have been in for consultations regarding switching or starting new birth control, which ALWAYS require an appointment; no walk-in’s allowed for those.
The services that they offer are truly a god-​send especially for me, since I was without health insurance for over 2 years until recently. I’ve gotten everything from pap smear to birth control, to FREE referrals to imaging centers for free mammograms.
If you ask the right questions, you can get great help that would cost you hundreds else-​where. I love this place, and the great help they are providing men and women with! And trust me, try any other location in the valley, this will seem like the best thing ever! I’m lucky I live around the block. Even when I end up moving, I will make the drive out here without hesitation. I have been to all of the HORRIFYING locations in the valley! Nothing compares.

Made me feel VERY comfortable and the Dr I saw was gentle and kind. They are highly recommended in my book! Thank You Conejo Planned Parenthood!

I scheduled the first available appointment I could get for a much needed service they provide. A week and a half later, I arrived on time and filled out their intake sheet. There is no place to sit down in the lobby so I had to fill out the form standing up which was awkward since I was holding stuff in my arms. I had given them my insurance info over the phone a week and a half earlier when I made the appointment.
After handing in the sheet, the receptionist informed me that their billing dept called to verify my insurance a few days ago and that it was «inactive» so I wouldn’t be able to use it. This was news to me as I had just used it a month ago at another doctor’s office without any issues and my employment status hadn’t changed since then.
If PP had contacted me regarding the inactive status prior to my arrival, which they had plenty of time to do, I would have been able to contact my insurance company during the week and clear up any misunderstandings. But how was I supposed to fix anything on a Saturday? They said sorry but there was nothing they could do and I wouldn’t be able to be seen.
I was truly surprised and disappointed with the level of incompetence at this location.
I’ve been to other PPs before over the years and always received great service so this rating is only for this location.

I came here with my beautiful girlfriend today, who had an appointment at 11. We got here 10 minutes early to make sure everything was filled out, paid for, etc before 11:00. It’s 11:54 and we are still waiting. They moved her to a secondary waiting room where I was not allowed to join her. I don’t understand what is taking so long, and if you are going to make us wait why we can’t wait together. The last time I came here with her the people behind the glass didn’t have any idea what was going on and couldn’t answer any of our questions. We were left to our own devices to find the answers to billing and procedure questions. This place is not impressive.

I’ve had two wonderful experiences here in the past 3 months. For birth control re-​fills and for my annual exam today. Everything went so fast, and everyone that helped me at the front desk, the nurse, and the practitioner who did the exam were so friendly and helpful and made me feel comfortable and well taken care of.

BEST PLANNED PARENTHOOD EVER!!! :D I drive all the way out from Tarzana for a reason… the one in Canoga Park sucks and this one is a completely different world. :)
This last time I went they were particularly wonderful. I had set an appointment through the PP phone system (which can sometimes create issues, but nonetheless, it’s how they operate) and was told I could continue receiving my free visits and birth control on my new Medi-​Cal card. Come to find out, when I got to PP in Thousand Oaks, I was told that the card I had only serviced L.A. county, not Ventura, so it looked like I needed to pay out of pocket. The girl at the front window apologized and said I could make an appointment at an L.A. county location instead, but I decided to pay out of pocket this time because I really needed my meds this week.
When the medical assistant and nurse practitioner found out about my issue, they let me know I could be reimbursed by Medi-​Cal for the meds I needed to pay for that day, or they could call it in as a prescription in L.A. county and I could get them for free that way! SO awesome of them to help me out like that. Not only that, but they reduced my visit invoice from $ 70 to $ 45. Incredible!!!
In addition to this instance, I have always felt taken care of when I’m there. I feel like I can ask questions about anything and will be given the best answer. The staff is knowledgeable, and they treat you like a person with needs and feelings. I’m so sad now that I have to start going to a location in L.A. county — wish I could take the Thousand Oaks PP location with me when I move to Studio City next month, BOO!!! Will miss them so much. THANK YOU for everything…

Been in the waiting room long enough to start Unilocaling. Wait so far has been 1hr and 15min with an appointment. No signs I’ll make it out of here alive.
P. s. the fact that it’s «free» doesn’t make it okay to book 2 000 783 appointments they will never get to.

I’ve been to Planned Parenthood several times in Orange County so I know exactly what to expect. My expectations are always low because this is not a private doctor’s office — it’s a low cost health clinic. You have to come here knowing you will wait awhile to be seen, even if you have an appointment. It just comes with the territory of low cost or free health services. Anyway, I made an appointment for 8:45 and they told me they were running an hour and a half behind (yikes!). I decided to wait it out anyway, because I needed a refill and delays are common with PP.
Waiting room is large and nice, wood floors and plenty of magazines to keep you occupied. I was called in after only about 50 minutes… still late but much better than they predicted the wait would be.
Assistant I spoke with was fine and the NP who gave me my refill was very kind, friendly and personable. They apologized for the wait. If you qualify, services are free. Since I’m currently unemployed, I paid nothing. How can you beat that? To me, waiting over an hour is just fine considering the services they provide to those of us who couldn’t afford them otherwise. Thank goodness for PP.
I recommend making a morning appointment to minimize wait time. Bring a book and a snack (but hide the snack, no food or drink allowed) and be prepared to wait a bit. All of the negative reviews here are for the delays. If you come expecting that, it won’t be so bad.