Women's Health Clinic

Welcome to the Women's Health Clinic of the Knox County Health Department. Our clinics provide confidential services to residents of Knox County regardless of age, sex, income, race, disability, or marital status.

Fees are based on income and family size, but no one will be denied services because of inability to pay. All   East Tennessee  T enn Care plans are accepted for services, and payment plan schedules are available for women who are not TennCare eligible. Proof of income is required at each visit to qualify for discounted services.

The Women's Health Clinic provides the following services:

• Family Planning
• Pregnancy Testing
• GYN Wellness Care (Annual Exams)
• Breast and Cervical Cancer screening, education, and referrals (for those who meet program guidelines)

 

Program Locations

Family Planning Services are available at the following locations:

• Main Health Department: the Women's Health Clinic are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Extended hours are offered on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month until 6 p.m. Phone: 215-5320 
• East Clinic: Tuesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Phone 215-5470 
• Teague Clinic: Monday and Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Phone 215-5500 
• West Clinic: Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Phone 215-5950 

Clinic Manager: Letha Hancock
Clinic Number: 215-5320

Family Planning

Family Planning is a healthcare service that allows women to decide if and when she wants to become pregnant. Family planning helps to preserve the health of the female reproductive system through careful sexual practices and by receiving regular physical examinations.

Family Planning provides women and their partners with information on the various methods of birth control, as well as instructions on how to use the chosen method effectively.

Family Planning is a positive way for women to protect her health now and in the future. The Knox County Health Department offers Family Planning patients the following birth control options:

• Oral contraceptives (the pill)
• Depo-Provera (the shot)
• Condoms
• Contraceptive Foam
• Diaphragm
• IUD (Intrauterine Device)
• Natural Family Planning
• Contraceptive Patches (Prescription only)    
• Implanon (TennCare only)
• NuvaRing (Prescription only) 
• Emergency Contraception
• Vasectomy for men who meet income guidelines (if funding is available).

 

Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program

Breast Health
More than 180,000 women get breast cancer each year. In Tennessee, more than 3,800 cases are found each year; there were 857 deaths in the year 2000. Unfortunately, the death rate continues to rise despite the availability of free health services.

Some groups of women are at higher risk for breast cancer than others. Women over 40 years old and women who have a child after 30 are among those at higher risk for developing breast cancer. Routine breast cancer screenings (CBEs), which are performed by your doctor and mammograms (breast x-rays), may allow the detection of cancer at its early stage.

You are eligible for a free breast cancer screening if you meet the general eligibility guidelines (do not have insurance, your insurance does not pay for this service, and you meet income guidelines)
AND :

• Are ages 50 to 64
• Are ages 40 to 49 and have one of the following:
  • A mother, daughter, or sister with breast cancer
  • A personal history of breast cancer
  • A clinical breast exam result that is positive or abnormal.
• Are ages 18-39 and have one or more of the following symptoms:
  • Breast lump(s)
  • Nipple discharge
  • Skin changes
  • Nipple changes

Cervical Health
Cervical cancer, which affects the lower part of a woman's reproductive system, is one of the most common cancers found in women in the United States. There are 15,000 new cases each year, which result in more than 5,000 deaths. An average of 400 new cases are found in Tennessee each year.

Studies have found that a number of activities can contribute to a woman getting cervical cancer, including having sexual intercourse with many partners and cigarette smoking. However, the good news is that cervical cancer is nearly 100% curable if it is found early.

You are eligible for a free cervical cancer screening if you meet the general eligibility guidelines (do not have insurance, your insurance does not pay for this service, and you meet income guidelines)
AND:

• Are ages 40 to 64
• Are ages 18 to 39 (and are in need of further diagnostic services after your initial Pap results are received)