5 Common Questions About Abortion Costs
It is one of the first questions on the mind of nearly every woman considering abortion: How much does it cost to get an abortion?
The cost of an abortion is one important factor that many women take into account as they decide how to respond to an unplanned pregnancy. Here, find the answers you need to your most common abortion cost questions.
How Much Does an Abortion Cost?
There are a number of factors impacting the cost of abortion, including:
- the clinic or healthcare provider you use.
- how far along you are in your pregnancy.
- the type of abortion you are having.
- your insurance situation.
- and more.
According to Planned Parenthood, medical abortion costs up to $800, while surgical abortion fees may be up to $1,500 during the first trimester. Second trimester abortion costs may be higher — sometimes up to $3,000 or more, depending on a woman’s circumstances.
However, abortion clinic prices can vary significantly. For more information about abortion prices and your options, contact your healthcare provider or a clinic near you and ask about the average cost of abortion at their facility.
Does Insurance Cover Abortion?
Many health insurance companies cover elective abortion to some degree. However, there are a number of state and federal restrictions on public and private abortion insurance, and your coverage may vary based on the state where you live and your individual policy.
To learn whether abortion is covered by insurance, contact a representative of your insurance company. You may also contact a clinic to ask whether they accept your insurance, to compare the abortion cost with insurance to the abortion cost without insurance, and to discuss any other financial resources that may be available to you.
Does Medicaid Cover Abortion?
The Hyde Amendment, passed by Congress in 1976, banned Medicaid coverage of abortion, except in cases of rape, incest, or life endangerment. However, the following states may cover abortion as part of their Medicaid policies:
- Alaska
- California
- Connecticut
- Hawaii
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Montana
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Oregon
- Vermont
- Washington
- West Virginia
While Medicaid cannot cover your abortion outside of these 15 states, some clinics do offer discounts to women who are enrolled in Medicaid. You can read more about these discounts and the abortion clinics that accept Medicaid here.
Can I Get an Abortion for Free?
Cost is one of the factors that many women take into account when facing an unplanned pregnancy, and many women choose abortion because they feel they cannot financially provide for a child. If you are considering abortion due in part to financial concerns, you may be wondering, “Are abortions free?”
Like any medical procedure, there are some inherent costs involved in abortion; therefore, abortions are not free. If you find an organization claiming to provide free abortion services, be very wary. Abortion, like any medical procedure, should only be performed by a highly trained and properly regulated medical professional. Obtaining a “free” abortion could be incredibly dangerous. Additionally, many organizations claiming to offer free abortion services are not actually performing abortions; they are instead offering free abortion information and counseling services — often as fake health clinics or “crisis pregnancy centers.”
While it is unlikely that you will find completely free abortion services, there are many resources available to help make abortions more affordable. To learn more about your abortion funding options, call the National Abortion Federation hotline at 1-800-772-9100. A hotline operator will ask you questions about your income to determine whether you qualify for abortion financial assistance.
How Can I Get Help Paying for Abortion?
Many women need help with abortion costs. If your abortion will not be covered by private insurance or Medicaid, you may be able to receive financial assistance for abortion through private funds. These funds use private donations to help women pay for their abortion procedure.
To find abortion funding assistance near you, search the National Network of Abortion Funds for available resources in your state.
Comparing the Costs of Abortion, Adoption and Parenting
When you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy, financial concerns should not prevent you from doing what you think is best in your situation. However, cost is still an important factor to consider as you research your unplanned pregnancy options.
If you’re wondering how abortion costs compare to the costs of raising your baby or placing him or her for adoption, here’s a quick overview:
- Parenting Costs: Of your three unplanned pregnancy options, parenting is the most expensive. Everyday necessities like diapers, formula, clothing, daycare, medical care and other baby supplies can quickly add up; altogether, it costs an average of $245,000 to raise a child to age 18. However, if you truly want to parent your baby, know that it may be possible with a carefully planned budget. You can calculate estimated expenses for your baby’s first year here.
- Adoption Costs: If you find the costs of parenting and abortion to be prohibitive, know that adoption is completely free to you. If you choose adoption, 100 percent of your medical care, legal fees and adoption expenses will be covered for you during your pregnancy. In addition, you may be eligible to get help with certain living expenses, like rent, groceries, utilities, transportation and maternity clothing, depending on your state’s laws.
Again, cost should not be the deciding factor in what’s best for you and your baby. There’s a lot to consider as you evaluate your unplanned pregnancy options; you can learn more about adoption vs. abortion and parenting in the articles throughout this site.