What's
the difference between anonymous and confidential testing?
HIV is the only STI that can be tested anonymously. Anonymous testing
means that your name is not associated with the test or the results
in any way. You are given a number or a code to identify yourself
when receiving your test results. Health Services does not provide
anonymous HIV testing but the resources below include anonymous
HIV testing sites in the area. It's important to ask about the test
site's policies before you get tested.
All other
STI tests are confidential. Confidential STI testing means that
your test results and any other information you discuss with your
medical providers will be a part of your medical record. Information
in your medical record is not a part of any other University record
and cannot be shared with anyone (including parents, professors,
deans, friends, or peer counselors) without your written authorization.
Health
Services places a high value on confidentiality; nevertheless, all
STI testing sites are required by law to report positive STI results
to the RI Department of Health. This information will be used for
statistical purposes and the Department of Health may contact you
to help you in seeking any treatments you might need. The Department
of Health cannot disclose your results, information, or even the
fact that you have been tested to anyone else including your parents,
friends, insurance agencies or school officials. If you have questions
about STI testing, medical providers at Health Services will address
any concerns you may have during your visit.
Why
get tested?
Being tested allows you to take charge of your own health. If you
test negative, you can continue to protect against future risks.
Should you test positive, many test sites will help you access a
variety of resources to enhance your physical, emotional and spiritual
well being.
Some
people get tested with the idea that if they test negative, they
don't need to practice safer sex or safer shooting anymore. This
is not true. If you test negative, you still need to protect yourself
and your partners.
If you
test positive for an STI, early medical intervention will allow
you to take measures needed to maintain your health. Many STIs,
such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, can be treated with antibiotics.
Others, such as HPV and herpes, can be managed to decrease symptoms
and reduce the risk of transmission. If you test positive for HIV,
there are treatment possibilities to prolong your life and improve
your overall health. Whatever your results, you can make changes
that will make your life longer, healthier and happier.
How
am I tested for STIs?
There are many different tests for each of the different STIs. There
is not one test that will screen for all STIs. Some STIs are hard
to test for if you do not have any symptoms. Some STIs can be tested
through blood work, urine tests, or saliva tests. Other STIs can
only be tested by culturing a sample of body fluid from the penis,
vagina, rectum, or open sore. If you go in for testing, it is important
to talk with your medical provider about which STIs you are at risk
for to determine which tests you should receive. Sometimes weeks
or months need to pass to give your body enough time to develop
antibodies that will show up in a test.
Does
my health insurance cover STI testing?
If you have insurance sponsored through Brown University:
Most
STI screening will be covered, either as part of a routine GYN
exam, or as part of a problem visit.
Correspondence
from the Brown sponsored insurance company is generally directed
to you, as the covered individual, at your University address.
If you
have a private insurance (not Brown University sponsored):
Insurance
varies widely. STI tests may not be covered. Many policies cover
testing if there are symptoms of the STI. Some policies do not cover
"screening" STI tests, which are:
Tests
done as part of a routine GYN exam,
Tests
done when the you may have been exposed to an STI but have no
symptoms,
Tests
done when you want to have tests for STIs "to be safe."
HIV testing
is unique in that insurance (of any kind) can not be used to cover
it, because HIV tests in RI are run at a State Laboratory. HIV tests
cost $25 currently, which can be paid for with a check or money
order, or billed to your Student Account, with the description "lab
fee."
It will
save you time if you contact your private insurance company before
your visit to find out whether STI tests are covered. For more information
you can visit the Health Services page on STI
Testing and Insurance Issues.
Will
my parents find out I've been tested?
Be aware that private insurance companies sometimes notify the subscriber
(often parents) as to what tests are done for covered individuals.
Therefore, the subscriber may get a notice from the private insurance
company that "student X had a Chlamydia test done on date X
," though results are generally not reported. If you are concerned,
it is a good idea to contact your insurance company before you get
tested to find out their billing policies.
You can
opt for the lab to bill you directly at your University Box Number
for STI tests. This avoids using your private insurance altogether.
Be aware though, that tests can be costly out of pocket. For example,
current prices for Gonorrhea and Chlamydia tests are in the vicinity
of $75 each. Prices are subject to change by the lab with which
Health Services contracts.
If you
are still not sure about how you'd like to proceed with STI screening,
you can always discuss this further at an appointment with a medical
provider. Call 401.863-3953 for an appointment.
Where
can I get tested?
Below is a listing of local STI testing sites, which tests they
administer and whether the results are confidential or anonymous.
University
Health Services 401.863-3953
13 Brown Street, Providence
All tests available. Testing fee is charged. Confidential. Available
only to Brown students.
Testing is available by appointment.
Monday through Friday 9:30am to 4:30pm
Planned
Parenthood of Rhode Island 401.421-9620
111 Point Street, Providence
All tests available. Testing fee is charged. Confidential.
Testing is available by appointment:
Monday 11:00am to 5:30pm
Tuesday 9:00am to 5:30pm
Wednesday 10:00am to 6:30pm
Thursday and Friday 9:00am to 5:30pm
Saturday 9:00am to 12:00pm
Teen
Walk-in Testing Monday 3:30pm to 7:30pm
AIDS
Care Ocean State 401.781-0665 or 640-5212
605 Elmwood Ave, Providence
HIV tests only. Orasure testing (saliva test) is available. Free.
Anonymous or confidential.
Testing is available by appointment.
Monday 12:00pm to 4:00pm
Tuesday 1:00pm to 8:00pm
Wednesday 1:00pm to 6:00pm
Thursday 10:00am to 1pm and 4:00pm to 8:00pm
Miriam
Hospital Immunology department 401.793-2969
164 Summit Street, Providence
HIV tests only. Orasure testing (saliva test) is available. Free.
Anonymous or confidential. Call to make an appointment.
Wednesday 1:30pm to 4:30pm
Friday 8am to 12.30pm & 1pm to 3:30pm
Whitmarsh Clinic 401.444-0483
Broad Med Building, 557 Broad Street, Providence
Gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis and HIV tests. Visual exams for herpes. Nominal testing fee charged or insurance billing available. If you are only having an HIV test, you can choose anonymous testing.
If you want to be tested for any other STIs, testing is confidential. Testing is available by appointment.
Monday through Friday 7:30am to 3:30pm
Other
Health Care Settings
STI testing is now offered routinely during family planning visits,
prenatal visits, and in drug treatment clinics throughout Rhode
Island. STI testing can be done as part of a standard physical exam,
if requested. There is often a charge for the test in these settings.
Specialized sites are typically more experienced with STI related
issues.
For
more information about STI testing, you can contact:
Call if you have questions about whether or not you should get tested,
if you have questions about STIs, or if you want to make an appointment
to be tested.
Call to ask questions about HIV/AIDS and other STIs, to be connected
with local AIDS support resources, or to find out about volunteer
opportunities and APRI events.
Monday
through Friday 8:30am to 5:00pm
Call
to speak with health specialists about the transmission, prevention,
and treatment for infections such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, HPV/genital
warts, herpes, HIV and others. You can also ask to receive free
information about STIs and prevention methods.
English:
1-800-342-2437 or 1-800-227-8922
7
days a week, 24 hours a day
Español:
1-800-344-7432
7 dias/semana, 8:00am to 2:00am
TDD:
1-800-243-7889
Monday
through Friday, 10:00am to 10:00pm
