Telehealth Abortion Services: Access, Process, and Research
Telehealth — sometimes called telemedicine — lets your doctor or health worker provide care for you without an in-person office visit. This care can be done online with internet access or through phone on your computer, tablet, or smartphone. Telehealth for abortion pills is both safe and effective, offering the same care you would receive in-person, at one of our health centers, but within the comfort of your own home.
Understanding Abortion with Pills
Abortion pills were approved by the FDA 20 years ago and involves using two medications to end a pregnancy – mifepristone and misoprostol. Mifepristone blocks progesterone, a hormone required for pregnancy to continue, and misoprostol induces uterine cramping, which results in a period-like process to remove the pregnancy.
How to Access Telehealth Services
Currently, providers are seeing telehealth appointments for various needs:
- Birth Control
- Abortion Services
- Emergency Contraception
- Pregnancy Testing
To make a telehealth appointment, call Women's Health Specialists at 1-800-714-8151 to check if you are eligible for an over-the-phone appointment. If you’re interested in telehealth for abortion pills through Planned Parenthood, please give us a call at 800-258-4448 or book online.
The Appointment Process
If you choose to use an online service to get abortion pills, you will first be screened for initial eligibility and then scheduled for a telehealth appointment. Upon scheduling your visit, you will have access to an eligibility questionnaire that you must complete ahead of your visit. This questionnaire will ask you important questions to ensure that telehealth for abortion pills is a safe option for you.
At the time of your appointment, you will receive a call from a nurse who will review your questionnaire and provide a deeper overview of the process. Finally, you will meet with a nurse practitioner who will walk you through the instructions for taking the medication. On the same day, following the visit, the team will package and send out your two medications through a discreet FedEx package, which should arrive within 3-5 business days.
Eligibility and Requirements
Before scheduling your appointment, please ensure you meet the following criteria:
- Pregnancy Confirmation: Take a home pregnancy test to confirm pregnancy status.
- Timing: Ensure the date of your last menstrual period (LMP) needs to be no more than 11 weeks ago at the time of taking mifepristone.
- Age: All Women's Health Specialists clinics see clients 12 or older without a parent or guardian.
- Location: For specific regional services, you must ensure you can be physically in the required state (e.g., Massachusetts) during your appointment and take both medications there.
The CHAT Study: Advancing Reproductive Health Research
The CHAT Study at ANSIRH is being carried out in partnership with California Latinas for Reproductive Justice (CLRJ) and the University of California's Center for Gender and Health Justice (CGHJ). Our researchers at the University of California, San Francisco are conducting a study to better understand the experiences of people who use an online service to get an abortion with pills. Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health (ANSIRH) is a collaborative research group whose mission is to conduct innovative, rigorous research and build the evidence base to safely expand access to abortion and help shape the future of reproductive care.
Cost and Insurance
While the cost may vary from patient to patient, this service is eligible for insurance coverage. If you plan on using insurance, please check with your insurance provider to determine your benefits for elective abortion and telehealth care. If you have any concerns about covering the cost of this service, you can reach out to Patient Navigation teams who will connect you with abortion care funds.