3100, Client Access

Revision 23-4; Effective Nov. 17, 2023

Grantees must ensure services are provided in a timely and nondiscriminatory manner and must:

• have a policy in place to identify and eliminate possible barriers to client care, including ensuring clinic or reception room waiting times do not present a barrier to care;
• have a policy in place that delineates the timely provision of services, as follows:
  • people  who are deemed eligible for FPP should be given an appointment as soon as possible and no later than 30 days from the initial request;
  • clients who request a contraceptive method but cannot be given a clinical appointment immediately must be offered a non-prescription method; and 
  • minors under 18 years old should be seen as soon as possible, with every effort made to provide an appointment within two weeks of the request; 
• have a policy in place that requires qualified staff to assess and prioritize a person’s needs;
• provide referral sources for people who cannot be served or cannot receive a specific service;
• manage funds to ensure established clients continue to receive services throughout the budget year (Sept. 1 through Aug. 31); 
• inform applicants of FPP services and encourage them to bring required documentation to the first visit for eligibility processing; 
• comply with all laws, regulations, and contract terms and conditions, as outlined in Section 3500, Nondiscrimination and Limited English Proficiency.

Grantees may not deny services to a qualifying person based on the person’s inability to pay.