So you’re pregnant and considering abortion — we know this can be a difficult decision for many women and the staff at True Choice MC is here to help answers your questions related to the abortion pill in the state of California!
Will Medicaid Pay for My Abortion Pill?
Yes — Medi-Cal, California’s Medicare program, along with all private insurance plans in the state, are required to cover the cost of all legal abortions.1,2
California does not require women to provide a reason for their choice to abort and, according to state law, abortion is legal until fetal viability, at which point it is only legal in the case of life endangerment or a severe health risk.
If you are uninsured or want to avoid the headache of filing a claim with your insurance plan, your local pregnancy center provides pregnancy services to help you during this time.
How much does an abortion cost without insurance?
The cost of your abortion will depend on the type of abortion procedure you are acquiring, which will likely be based on the gestational age of your pregnancy.
Women in the first 70 days of pregnancy will have access to either medical or surgical abortions, both costing around $500 out of pocket. Those who are further along will be required to access a surgical abortion procedure, costing anywhere from $500 to $3,000 or more.
What other costs should I consider related to the abortion pill?
As you decide if abortion is right for you, it’s important to be aware of the various costs you may face in addition to the cost of the procedure itself.
These medical costs may include pre-abortion screenings (provided for at your local pregnancy clinic), follow-up appointments, medications, emergency medical care, and mental health counseling in case of abortion-related trauma.3
You may also want to consider the loss of paychecks due to time-off as you recovery from the procedure and the cost of travel and accommodation if required for abortion access.
Is abortion right for me?
When faced with an unplanned pregnancy, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed with information and emotions and it can be difficult to make an informed choice for your future in the midst of your worry and fear. If you’re still wondering if abortion is right for you, you’re in the right place.
True Choice is here to help provide you with vital information regarding your pregnancy, medical services, options counseling, referrals, and more!
Schedule your no-cost appointment today to start exploring your options in a safe and confidential space.
1. Cal. Dep’t of Health Care Srvs., Medi-Cal Provider Manual Ch. Abortions atp. 1.
2. Michelle Rouillard, Director of Department of Managed Health Care letter to Mark Morgan, California President of Anthem Blue Cross, RE: Limitations or Exclusions of Abortion Services.August 22, 2014.
3. Broen AN, Moum T, Bødtker AS, Ekeberg O. The course of mental health after miscarriage and induced abortion: a longitudinal, five-year follow-up study. BMC Med. 2005;3:18.
