Abortion Access, Costs, and Legal Status in New Jersey
This article walks you through the cost of abortion in New Jersey, breaking down prices, insurance coverage, financial help, and how to access care. Abortion is legal throughout the state of New Jersey from big cities like Newark and Jersey City to more rural towns. As the state maintains its commitment to access, New Jersey will begin stockpiling supplies of a key abortion drug, Gov. Phil Murphy (D) announced, ensuring that reproductive healthcare remains available.
How Much Does an Abortion in New Jersey Cost?
Abortion pill prices in New Jersey range from $0 with insurance to $483, depending on your provider, location, and financial assistance options. However, the cost of a medication abortion in New Jersey can be lower with insurance or through a virtual provider like Hey Jane. Below is a breakdown of average costs based on the type of procedure:
| Type of Abortion | Cost in New Jersey |
|---|---|
| Procedural in-clinic abortion (avg.) | $495 to $1,095* |
| Abortion pills (avg.) | $483 |
| Abortion pills with Hey Jane | $299 to $499 (and as low as $0 with insurance) |
*Depending on the gestational age of the pregnancy (Source: ANSIRH Trends in Abortion Care in the United States, 2017–2023).
Insurance Coverage and Financial Assistance
Will my insurance cover an abortion in New Jersey? Most likely, yes! Private New Jersey Family Care (Medicaid) can bring the cost of abortion care to as low as $0 depending on your plan. Hey Jane patients who get treatment in New Jersey can use Aetna, Cigna, Horizon BlueCross BlueShield, and Sana Benefits insurance plans to pay for their medication abortion.
Cost should never be a barrier to abortion care. If you are not able to get care locally, abortion funds can cover the full or partial cost of treatment as well as travel. Hey Jane offers several ways to lower the cost of care, including:
- Insurance coverage that can bring cost as low as $0
- Income-based pricing for all patients paying out of pocket
- Using HSA or FSA accounts to pay for treatment
- Financial assistance from Hey Jane’s abortion fund partners
Understanding Medication Abortion
Medication abortion, also known as the abortion pill, is a non-surgical option that allows individuals to terminate an early pregnancy. It involves taking a combination of medications that are highly effective within the first 10 weeks of gestation:
- Mifepristone: This pill works to block the hormone progesterone, which is necessary for the pregnancy to continue.
- Misoprostol: This medication causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy tissue.
Medication abortions currently account for 53% of all facility-based terminations in the U.S. While federal lawsuits have created uncertainty around future access to mifepristone, the drug has a 23-year safety and efficacy history under FDA approval.
Where to Access Abortion Services
Depending on factors like where you live in New Jersey and how far along your pregnancy is, you may have access to nearby in-person clinics. If not, you can travel to clinics somewhere else in the state, or opt for virtual care where you can consult with a licensed provider via chat or video call and have abortion pills mailed to you. You do not need to be a resident of New Jersey to get care with providers like Hey Jane, which offers medication abortion care for people who are up to 10 weeks pregnant.