Here’s the Cost of an Abortion: Different Types, Insurance Plans, and More
You have questions about abortion costs. We have answers. If you’re worried about getting pregnant, you're probably wondering the cost of an abortion and whether or not it's covered by your insurance—especially now since Roe v. Wade has been overturned by the Supreme Court. The cost of abortion procedures depend on a variety of circumstances, including how far along someone is in their pregnancy, as well as where they live, what insurance plan they have, and what type of abortion is performed: a surgical abortion or medication abortion.
Medication Abortion (the Abortion Pill)
The second type of abortion is a medication abortion (which is not the same as the morning-after pill). This type of abortion uses a combination of two pills (mifepristone and misoprostol) to stop the growth of the pregnancy and then trigger the emptying of your uterus. The abortion pills can be taken during the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. Regarding the financial aspect, the average cost women pay $504 for an early medication abortion, according to the Guttmacher Institute. Typically, the abortion pill cost depends on where you live in the country, whether or not you have insurance, and what your financial status is, as you may be eligible for aid you can put toward the procedure.
In-Office and Surgical Abortion
During the first trimester, surgical abortions use gentle suction to remove a pregnancy from the uterus. (This is also called a vacuum aspiration or an aspiration abortion.) The in-clinic procedure can cost up to $1,500 later in pregnancy, but most hover around the $750 range per abortion price points, according to Planned Parenthood. Later in pregnancy the medical standard for abortion care is a surgical abortion utilizing a procedure called dilation and evacuation, or D&E, which can be more expensive. Where you get surgical abortion options is also a major factor, as hospitals tend to cost more than a clinic.
The following table outlines the financial costs of an abortion for those without insurance based on data from health.costhelper.com and specific medical groups:
| Gestational Age | Type of Procedure | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 10-11 weeks | Surgical or Medication | $320 to $500 |
| Up to 12 weeks | Surgical Abortion | $450 to $600 |
| At 16 weeks | Surgical Abortion | $500 to $700 |
| 20 weeks or later | Surgical Abortion | $1,000 to $2,000 or more |
Insurance and Medicaid Coverage
Does insurance cover abortions? Yes, but it depends on your coverage and how they work with abortion providers. Some insurance companies cover elective abortion at least in part if your abortion is performed by a physician who is in network for your insurance. But coverage is increasingly under threat for reproductive health, especially since Roe v. Wade has been overturned. Since 2010, 25 states now restrict abortion coverage in plans offered through insurance exchanges, and 11 states have abortion laws limiting insurance coverage of abortion services in all private insurance plans. Regarding public funding, after the passing of the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits federal funds from being used for abortion procedures, there are a few exceptions for Medicaid.
Physical and Emotional Considerations
In a critical decision such as abortion, other costs should also be considered. Studies across the United States show that an abortion decision will not just cost money, it has a definite price to pay emotionally, in relationships, and physically. Research found that women who underwent an abortion had a 98 percent increased risk for any mental health disorders compared to women who did not have an abortion. According to data, these risks include:
- 59 percent increased risk for suicidal thoughts
- 61 percent increased risk for mood disorders
- 61 percent increased risk for social anxiety disorders
- 261 percent increased risk for alcohol abuse
- 280 percent increased risk for any substance use disorder
Abortion is a forever decision, it cannot be undone once completed. In determining the cost of an abortion, each person involved needs to consider not just the financial cost, but every area of their life in which a price will be paid.