How Much do Abortion Pills Cost Without Insurance?

The average cost of abortion pills is $500 and can cost up to $750 without insurance. The cost of the abortion pill varies depending on the type of insurance you have, what state you live in, where you receive care, and how many doses of pills you need. If eligible, financial support from abortion funds can help lower the cost of abortion pills. The average cost of abortion pills is $500 and can cost up to $750 without insurance.

The Cost of Abortion Pills by Type of Service in Different States Without Insurance

Abortion medication can be obtained in person or through a telehealth service. Depending on where you live, you can order abortion medication virtually with the cost ranging from around $145 to $550. An in-person visit for abortion medication can range from $550 to $750, however, if you live in a state that does not allow abortions, the cost will increase due to lodging and travel expenses. Abortion funds can help reduce these additional costs and cover some of the abortion medication. 

Cost of Abortion Medication by Telehealth Services Without Insurance

These prices were obtained by contacting the health center directly or through online research.

What to Expect from Telehealth Abortion Medication

Abortion medication telehealth services normally include filling out a questionnaire that confirms your identity, medical history, insurance, address, pregnancy status, and eligibility. 

Next, you will be put in touch with a licensed provider to confirm your eligibility and prescribe your medications–this can often be done in more than one way depending on the company (video, text, or phone). The abortion pills will then be mailed to you in 3 - 5 days or faster for an additional cost.

Look for companies that offer 24/7 virtual support, follow-up consultations, financial assistance, discreet packaging, and translation services. 

You do not necessarily have to live in the state you mail the medication to, however, this would require traveling. Additionally, not all clinics will treat out-of-state patients due to concerns of criminal action.

 If abortion medication is not available in your state, telehealth services may only be able to provide you with care given you are in an eligible state during the telehealth visits and the follow-ups which can take place two weeks after the abortion. 

Cost of Abortion Medication in-Person Without Insurance

These prices were obtained by contacting the health center directly or through online research.

What to Expect from in-Person Abortion Medication Visits

In-person visits for abortion pills usually last 1.5 to 2 hours minimum. During the visit, you will go over your medical history, have an ultrasound (unless you have had one recently), review information about the abortion, have lab work done, and will take the first pill, Mifepristone, in the office. Your healthcare provider will then give you the other pill to take 1 to 2 days later and some additional medications to help with side effects. A follow-up appointment will be arranged 1-2 weeks after the abortion.

Additional Costs

Below is a list of potential services you might need or want when having a medical abortion. Plan on being in a comfortable place and taking the day easy after taking the second pill as you will have a lot of bleeding and cramping. 

The cost of abortion medication can significantly increase if you have to take a day off work when taking the abortion medication or if you need to travel to another state to get care. Traveling would include the additional costs of airfare, gas, car rentals, childcare, pet care, food, and hotels. All of these factors can easily run up the bill to $4,000 according to an article from Business Insider.

Cost of Additional Services Without Insurance

Factors that Influence the Cost of Medication Abortion 

Factors that influence the cost of medication abortion include:

1. Type of insurance: The Hyde Amendment is a provision that prohibits the use of federal funds to pay for abortion, except to save the life of the woman or if the pregnancy arises from incest or rape. Thus, in most states, Medicaid coverage and marketplace plans for abortion are limited to these circumstances. This list can help you find out if abortion is covered by Medicaid in your state. Additionally, some states are more restrictive than the national standard such as South Dakota. Private insurance coverage varies.
2. State you live in: The state you live in greatly impacts access to medical abortion. This includes when you can get one (eg., age and number of weeks pregnant) and the cost of one. For example, in California, abortion care is considered basic health care and must be covered by all basic health care insurance.
3. How you receive care: Depending on the location of the health center you go to, the price can vary. For example, Planned Parenthood only offers in-person visits in most places. If you live far from a health center, telehealth abortion medication could be a good option and is often cheaper than in-person medication abortion visits although its accessibility is limited depending on your state.

Ways to Reduce the Cost of Medication Abortion 

If you need an abortion, call different abortion clinics and ask for their out-of-pocket prices to compare. Make an appointment at a clinic first before searching for funding as you are not charged for scheduling an appointment. 

To reduce the cost of medication abortion, ask the health center you will get your abortion at if they have any financial assistance plans or discounts available. Find out how much you can pay as abortion funds are not usually able to cover the entire cost.  

When looking for an abortion fund, read their instructions to find out if you qualify before contacting them, and contact many places as more than one local or national abortion fund can help with your abortion or things associated with one such as transportation and childcare. To maximize funding sources, search your home state and the state where your appointment is made. 

There are also funds that specifically help Indigenous people get access to abortion care such as Indigenous Women Rising and many do not restrict people based on immigration status and income.     

Abortion Pills Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

With the overturn of Roe v. Wade on June 24, 2022, you may be wondering more about your access to abortion medication and how it works. Below we answer a few questions you may have.

Will abortion pills be illegal after the overturn of Roe v Wade?

At least eight states banned all forms of abortion, including abortion medication within hours after the overturn of Roe v Wade. Healthcare providers and those that help others get an abortion can face criminal prosecution in some states.

The legality of abortion pills will be left to the state you are in due to the overturning of Roe v Wade. As the overturn of Roe v Wade is very recent, changes are still constantly occurring as they must determine the fate of existing restrictions. This fact sheet is updating the status of abortion laws in each state as well as this New York Times article. Below is a breakdown of the current legal status of abortion in each state:

• Prohibited (most without exceptions for rape or incest): 
  • Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin, and West Virginia.
• Will soon prohibit abortions or have currently blocked the abortion ban: 
  • Arizona, Kentucky, Louisiana, Utah, Idaho, North Dakota, Tennesse, and Wyoming.
• Restricted access to abortion:
  • Ohio, South Carolina, Florida, and Georgia.
• The legal status is uncertain:
  • Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
• Where abortion is likely to remain protected:
  • Alaska, Colorado, Illinois, Maine, Nevada, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, California, Connecticut, Washington D.C., Delaware, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington.

How do abortion pills work?

More than half of U.S. abortions are medication abortions (also known as medical abortions). The “abortion pill” refers to two oral medications used to terminate a pregnancy: mifepristone (Mifeprex) and misoprostol (Cytotec). The combination of these pills, taken over 1 to 2 days, must be prescribed by a doctor with some providers prescribing these medications up to 13 weeks of pregnancy (depending on the state). The FDA has approved these pills to be taken up to 10 weeks of pregnancy. 

First, you will take mifepristone which stops the pregnancy from growing. Then, you will take misoprostol either right away or up to two days after you take the first pill. This medicine causes cramping and bleeding to empty your uterus. The cramping and bleeding can last several hours and you may have cramping on and off for 1 or 2 more days. In some cases, you may be prescribed only misoprostol. 

Can I buy abortion pills now to use later?

Yes, some services like Aid Access allow you to buy abortion medication now and save them for later, just in case. This is referred to as “advance provision”.

Bottom Line

Almost one million people in the U.S. have an abortion every year but 40 percent of adults do not have enough savings to pay for a $400 emergency expense, making abortion medication a costly medical service. The cost of abortion medication is on average $500 without insurance and must be prescribed by a doctor. Abortion funds can help reduce the cost of abortion medication and associated costs.

Mira can help reduce the cost of over 1,000 prescription medications with up to 80 percent discounts. Mira’s customer care team can help help you find affordable services in your area and offers access to low-cost urgent care for just $45 per month. Sign up today to get started.