Clinic Update: Upstream Project

The Buncombe County Health Clinic is proud to announce its participation in the Upstream project. Upstream works in partnership with health centers to strengthen reproductive care and autonomy and increase equitable access to the full range of contraceptive options. Currently, the Buncombe County Health Clinic is in the Baseline Assessment phase in which Upstream representatives evaluate the current processes and procedures within our clinic in order to determine the areas in which our clinic can improve. Once the implementation plan is executed, we hope to see an increase in customer satisfaction, education, and contraceptive use and a simultaneous decrease in unplanned pregnancies and subsequent abortions in Buncombe County.

Another way we are improving the sexual health of the Buncombe community is by expanding access to PrEP services. PrEP, or Pre Exposure Prophylaxis, is a pill taken daily to prevent the contraction of HIV. Limited capacity to provide PrEP has prevented many of our residents from being able to access these potentially life-saving services. We are fortunate to be working with a pharmacy intern who will be instrumental in developing our expanded PrEP program. Their role will be to create standard operating procedures, collaborate with other health clinics, educate staff about PrEP, and identify and reduce barriers to access for our clients. 

• As of Sept 17, 2021, legislation was passed that allows PrEP to be covered as a preventive service on major health insurance plans with no cost-sharing to the patient. Uninsured clients may have an out-of-pocket cost for PrEP services but can apply for sliding scale assistance for reduced-cost clinic visits and free medications based on their income.

Reproductive Health Services are offered at low or no cost. We offer a wide range of sexual health services including 1:1 consultations with a sexual health expert, STI testing and treatment, preventative treatments including PrEP, and a wide range of birth control and contraceptive options. The Buncombe County Reproductive Health Clinic is located at 40 Coxe Avenue and is open from 8 AM - 5 PM. Call 250-5000 to schedule your appointment. Learn more about our services at buncombecounty.org/health.