How much does the abortion pill cost?
So you’re researching the costs for a medication abortion, aka the abortion pill, and you need to know more! At carafem, the abortion pill costs $0-475 depending on if you choose online care or schedule an appointment at one of our locations. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify. At other providers, the abortion pill typically costs between $300-800, again depending on your health insurance, your state, and your provider.
The exact price varies but if you are further than 11 weeks along, you may not be able to use the abortion pill. You might need to have an in-office procedure or MVA. This may affect your costs. In some areas, in-office abortions cost less while in others it is more expensive.
When looking for abortion care, we recommend finding a provider who is honest, open about their procedures, available to answer your questions and is transparent about their pricing. It’s important to know the difference between true abortion care providers and crisis pregnancy centers, who pose as care providers in an effort to convince you to change your decision.
Can I get financial assistance for abortion care?
If you don’t have health insurance and need help paying for your care, our staff can help you apply for discounts through our financial assistance partners. And if you don’t live near a carafem health center, there may be an abortion assistance fund that can help offset (or even cover) the cost of your abortion. If you need financial assistance, abortionfunds.org provides a handy and comprehensive guide to connect you with local funding resources.
Will my insurance cover the abortion pill?
At carafem, we strive to work with as many insurance providers as possible. We also work with medicaid in select states. Keep an eye on our costs page for the latest information. If you have insurance, give us a call and we’ll help you understand what’s covered and what will be paid out of pocket.
In most instances, the answer to the insurance question varies heavily based on where you live and the provider you see. Reference this list from National Women’s Law Center and view the chart below to get an idea of how local laws may affect your coverage. In the end, the best step is to call your provider with your health insurance information to see if they cover the abortion pill.
How does the abortion pill work?
There are a couple of options when it comes to abortion. At carafem, there’s the abortion pill and the in-office procedure. If you are interested in medication abortion also known as the abortion pill, here’s what you need to know.
The abortion pill is actually a combination of what is usually two kinds of pills (mifepristone and misoprostol) that are taken in sequence. In the U.S. these are most often used before 11 weeks of pregnancy. The first pill, mifepristone, blocks a hormone necessary for a pregnancy to continue to develop. Most people swallow this first pill in our office. A small number of people see some vaginal bleeding after taking mifepristone, but it’s not common.
The second pill, misoprostol, causes cramping and bleeding from the vagina so that the pregnancy will leave your body (similar to a miscarriage). It is usually taken at home within 72 hours after taking the first pill. Most people start to see cramping and bleeding within about an hour after taking the misoprostol, though some take longer. It’s normal to feel chills, nausea, or even have diarrhea along with bleeding and cramping while your body is pushing the pregnancy from your uterus. It’s kind of like having a really heavy, crampy period along with mild flu-like symptoms.
It is good to have some thick overnight type maxi pads ready along with a heating pad to help with cramping. carafem provides anti-nausea and pain medication to help handle these symptoms. For most people, the heaviest bleeding and cramping ends once the pregnancy has passed, usually within 3-4 hours. It is important to plan for possible vaginal bleeding to continue after any type of abortion. Some see light bleeding that lasts up until their next period starts, which is usually within about 4-6 weeks.
Is the abortion pill safe?
Yes, the abortion pill is safe. The abortion pill has been used by hundreds of thousands of people in the US since the year 2000 and millions of people worldwide for over 20 years. The abortion pill is 98% effective and research shows that complications are rare and occur in fewer than .04% of people.
There are no indications that the abortion pill affects a person’s ability to have a baby when they are ready — neither getting pregnant nor staying pregnant in the future are affected by using the abortion pill.
