How Much Do Abortion Pills Cost

Abortion care varies based on how far along you are and how you plan to end the pregnancy. There are two types of abortion: a surgical abortion and a medication abortion.

Medication abortion - also known as Plan C - involves using pills only.

How much do abortion pills cost?

Plan C is a course of two prescription medications: mifepristone and misoprostol. This combination of pills taken 1 to 2 days apart can cost $600 or more without insurance. At Planned Parenthood clinics, the average cost of abortion pills is $580, but you can be charged up to $800.

A study of medication abortion prices at publicly advertised U.S. abortion clinics found that the national median price was $563 in 2023. The average cost for medication abortion differed depending on how you made your healthcare visit.

Your out-of-pocket cost for abortion pills depends on several factors:

• How many doses of pills you need

• Whether you have health insurance

• Type of healthcare visit - in person or virtual

• Where you live

• Financial support from an abortion fund

How do abortion pills work?

The abortion pill is actually two prescription medications taken over a couple of days. Mifepristone (Mifeprex) and misoprostol (Cytotec) are taken as a course of treatment to end a pregnancy.

Mifepristone, taken in combination with misoprostol, is FDA approved for a medication abortion through 10 weeks of pregnancy. But some healthcare professionals may prescribe these medications up to 11 weeks of pregnancy.

The process

The first abortion pill

• The first pill contains a medication called mifepristone. This blocks the main pregnancy hormone and stops the pregnancy from growing.

• A specially certified healthcare professional must dispense mifepristone, but you may not have to see a prescriber in person.

• On Day 1, you will take one 200 mg mifepristone tablet by mouth. (Some states require a healthcare professional to be with you when you take the first pill.)

• Some people experience mild cramping, nausea, diarrhea, or vaginal bleeding after the first pill. Often, these symptoms are manageable and won't interfere with your usual activities.

The second abortion pill

• You'll take the second medication, which is called misoprostol, 24 to 48 hours after taking mifepristone. The typical dosage is four 200 mcg tablets that are placed inside the cheeks, under the tongue, or inside the vagina.

• Misoprostol helps push the pregnancy out of the body. This causes cramping and bleeding, similar to a heavy period, that usually starts 2 to 24 hours after taking it. Light bleeding may continue for a few weeks.

• If you don't bleed heavily enough to pass the pregnancy, you may need to take additional doses of misoprostol or have a surgical procedure to complete the abortion.

Alternatively, your medication abortion could use multiple doses of 1 pill: misoprostol. If you can't obtain mifepristone, misoprostol is also used off-label on its own for a medication abortion. The protocol may vary depending on your medical history, so it's important to get the medication from a trained prescriber and to follow their instructions carefully.

Where can you get abortion pills?

Abortion pills may be legal in your state. Access has changed in some states since June 2022, in response to the Supreme Court's ruling that the U.S. Constitution does not include the right to an abortion.

In 2023, the FDA changed its rules that previously allowed only certain healthcare professionals to dispense abortion pills. Now, CVS, Walgreens, and other retail pharmacies can fill prescriptions for mifepristone and misoprostol in certain states.

In 2024, the Supreme Court rejected a lawsuit challenging how the FDA regulated mifepristone, which allowed the medication to remain on the market.

You can receive a prescription for abortion pills from certified healthcare professionals, who are available at Planned Parenthood clinics and other locations or via telehealth (depending on where you live).

You will obtain the medication from a healthcare professional, from a pharmacy, or by mail.

Visit the The Plan C Guide to Abortion Pill Access and Abortion Finder websites to find trusted abortion pill providers in every state and Washington, D.C., at military addresses, and in these five territories: American Samoa, Guam, NortheMariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Each state and Washington, D.C., has different laws about when you can have an abortion and the steps you need to take to end a pregnancy.

Many states have restricted access to abortion in several ways, including allowing healthcare professionals, such as pharmacists, to decline to treat people who seek abortion care.

There are states that do not allow virtual visits to access abortion pills. You may be required to make one, two, or more in-person visits to obtain a medication abortion.

The FDA decided to permanently allow access to abortion pills by mail in December 2021. Depending on where you live, that means you may be able to meet with a certified healthcare professional virtually to get a prescription. This gives people more access to abortion pills for a medication abortion at home.

Latest information and legal help

For more information, here are some resources:

• Abortion laws by state provided by the Center for Reproductive Rights

• State policies for insurance coverage of abortion care from KFF

• Interactive map of U.S. abortion policies from the Guttmacher Institute

• State legislation tracker from Guttmacher

• U.S. abortion dashboard maintained by KFF

You also can call the National Abortion Hotline at 800-772-9100 or the Repro Legal Helpline at 844-868-2812 for guidance in multiple languages.

Can I get an abortion pill over the counter?

The pills required for a medication abortion are available by prescription only in the U.S.

Does my insurance cover abortion pills?

Your health insurance may cover medication abortion. Coverage and out-of-pocket costs depend on your plan, which can include:

• Private insurance and Affordable Care Act marketplace plans: Abortion care services are not considered essential health benefits under the Affordable Care Act. Plans may choose to include abortion care benefits, but this isn't a requirement.

• Medicaid: Most states and Washington, D.C., limit abortion coverage by Medicaid programs except in cases of rape or incest or when the mother's life is in danger. Some states use their own funds to cover abortions for Medicaid enrollees.

• Medicare:Medicare restricts coverage to pregnancies resulting from rape or incest or those that endanger the mother's life.

If I don't have insurance, can I get help paying for abortion pills?

If you do not have insurance, or your health plan doesn't cover medication abortion, abortion funds may be able to help.

Many organizations and funds support the cost of abortion services, from pills and procedures to logistical expenses. The National Network of Abortion Funds maintains a state-by-state list of funds as well as tips for accessing financial support.

National funds include:

• National Abortion Hotline: Call this multilingual hotline for limited financial assistance that can cover the cost of care and travel-related expenses.

• Women's Reproductive Rights Assistance Project: This organization sends funds directly to a healthcare professional to pay for the care of a person seeking abortion pills.

• Indigenous Women Rising: This fund serves Native and Indigenous people in the U.S. and Canada who are seeking an abortion in the U.S.

What other costs should I consider when pursuing a medication abortion?

A medication abortion can have costs beyond the pills, including:

• Fees for in-person healthcare visits for abortion care or follow-up care

• Transportation to see a healthcare professional in person

• Lodging

• Child care

• Lost wages

• Other medication

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GoodRx Holdings Inc. published this content on 27 August 2024 and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on August 27, 2024 at 21:31:06 UTC.