How to get an abortion in California: Clinics, costs, and laws
Abortion is legal throughout the state of California from big cities like Los Angeles and San Diego to more rural towns. This article walks you through the cost of abortion in California, breaking down prices, insurance coverage, financial help, and how to access care.
Abortion Costs and Insurance Coverage
Abortion pill prices in California range from $0 with insurance to $612, depending on your provider, location, and financial assistance options. However, the cost of a medication abortion in California can be lower with insurance or through a virtual provider like Hey Jane.
The following table outlines the typical costs for services in the state:
| Type of abortion | Cost in California |
|---|---|
| Procedural in-clinic abortion | $885 to $1,364* |
| Abortion pills (avg.) | $612 |
| Abortion pills with Hey Jane | $299 to $499 (or as low as $0 with insurance) |
| Abortion pills via Aid Access | $150 or less |
*According to UCSF's Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health (ANSIRH) research.
Most likely, your insurance will cover the procedure. California Senate Bill 245 states that health insurance plans, including both private insurance and Medi-Cal, cannot require individuals to pay any additional out-of-pocket costs like deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance for abortion and abortion-related services. Hey Jane patients who get treatment in California can use Aetna, Blue Shield of California, Cigna, and Sana Benefits plans to cover the cost.
Financial Assistance and Support
Cost should never be a barrier to abortion care. If you're 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
Aid Access also provides help if you cannot afford to pay the full price. If you are less than 14 weeks pregnant, they will help you order abortion pills for $150 or less.
How to Get Abortion Pills Online in California
You can buy an abortion pill online and get it by mail in California. The FDA has approved abortion pills by mail from U.S. based abortion providers for all 50 U.S. states. Aid Access will help you order abortion pills and have them delivered to your home in 1-5 days with reliable shipping and tracking numbers provided.
To get abortion pills online with telehealth, you will follow these steps:
- Give some basic medical information about your health and pregnancy to online providers.
- Wait for a review of your medical history by US-based doctors.
- If approved, your pills will be prescribed within 24 hours.
- Abortion pills will be mailed to you in California.
Provider Access by City
Depending on factors like where you live and how far along your pregnancy is, you may have access to nearby in-person clinics or opt for virtual care. The table below outlines access options in various California cities:
| City | Medication Abortion Pills | In-Clinic Procedure |
|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield, Los Angeles, San Diego | Hey Jane / Aid Access | Find a local clinic via INeedAnA |
| Sacramento, San Francisco, San Jose | Hey Jane / Aid Access | Find a local clinic via INeedAnA |
| Fresno, Oakland, Riverside | Hey Jane / Aid Access | Find a local clinic via INeedAnA |
California Abortion Laws and Legal Rights
With the overturn of Roe v. Wade by the US Supreme Court in June 2022, abortion laws can be different in each state. In California, abortion is currently legal throughout pregnancy. If you are worried about getting in legal trouble because of abortion restrictions, you can talk to a lawyer for free at the Repro Legal Helpline.
For residents of nearby states like Arizona, Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest wants you to know that abortion care is legal and available in California. People can schedule abortion care in days, not weeks, at health centers across San Diego, Riverside, and Imperial counties.
Additional Support Resources
- All-Options: Call 1-888-493-0092 to talk anonymously about your abortion options.
- Reprocare: Call 1-833-246-7821 for emotional support when planning or having an abortion with pills.
- Charley the Chatbot: An anonymous and secure chatbot that can help you get more info about your abortion options and financial help.