Preventive Health Care Centers

As of July 1, 2024, per Tennessee Public Chapter 1061 of 2024, except as otherwise provided by law or court order all patients less than 18 years of age will be required to have signed or verbal consent by a legal parent or guardian prior to receiving health care services. Please plan for any patient(s) less than 18 years of age to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. If the parent or legal guardian cannot accompany the minor(s) to a visit, verbal consent must be obtained from the parent or guardian prior to receiving services. This law does not apply to all services or health conditions, nor to legally emancipated minors, current or former members of the military, or minor mothers with full custody of a child or children.

Metro Health Department operates three public health care preventive centers to provide a variety of preventive health services to citizens of Davidson County on a sliding fee scale basis.

Services

Services include:

• immunizations for children and adults
• family planning services (birth control)
• newborn screenings
• sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing (when available)
• head lice evaluations
• pregnancy testing and referral
• “presumptive eligibility” or temporary enrollment into TennCare for pregnant women

Please note that the preventive health clinics do not provide primary care services. This means that the clinics do not manage chronic conditions (such as diabetes, hypertension, etc.), sick visits, or school physicals. Please refer to your primary care provider for these needs. If you have questions or need additional clarification, please contact our clinics at the numbers listed below. Appointments are needed for family planning and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

Newborn Screenings

Please note that newborn screenings will not be performed on Fridays due to time spacing before testing on specimen can occur. Additionally, our clinic is unable to perform newborn screening on the day before any major holiday. Please contact the preventive health clinic with any questions or concerns.

Scheduling Appointments

The Preventive Health Clinics moved to an appointment-based system on October 1, 2018 to allow us to see individuals in a more timely manner. All patients should call and schedule an appointment for a visit. If you are more than 15 minutes late for your appointment, you will be asked to reschedule. Walk-ins may be seen depending on staffing or demand for services. At times, services may need to be limited depending on staffing or demand for services.

Special Notes

• All patients should call to schedule and appointment for a visit.
• Patients are required to sign-in by 2:30 p.m. for walk-in services at all three Public Health Centers.
• At times, services may need to be limited depending on staffing or demand for services.
• For all centers, appointments are needed for WIC and family planning. Please call for appointment information.