Does Planned Parenthood Offer Free Abortion Services?
Key takeaways:
You may be able to get free or low-cost abortion services at Planned Parenthood.
If you have insurance, you may pay minimal or no out-of-pocket costs for abortion services.
Abortion funds may be able to provide financial assistance for a surgical abortion or medication abortion you receive through Planned Parenthood.
Planned Parenthood provides a range of preventive health and healthcare services at more than 600 clinics across the U.S. These services include surgical abortions and medication abortions.
Check your state laws first before seeking care. Some abortion services may be illegal in your state or have certain restrictions.
Here’s how you can get free or low-cost abortion services at a Planned Parenthood health center.
What abortion services does Planned Parenthood offer?
Planned Parenthood offers two types of abortions:
Medication abortion: This is known as Plan C and involves using pills only. It’s sometimes called a “self-managed” abortion.
Surgical abortion: This is an in-clinic procedure.
Does Planned Parenthood do abortions for free?
You may be able to get free or low-cost abortion services at a Planned Parenthood clinic. Your out-of-pocket costs depend on:
Whether you have insurance
What kind of abortion care you need
Whether you qualify for financial support from abortion funds
If you seek abortion care at a Planned Parenthood clinic, staff members can help you find out if your services can be covered by insurance or if you qualify for financial assistance.
If I don’t have insurance or financial assistance, how much do abortion services cost at Planned Parenthood?
Without health insurance or financial assistance, an abortion can cost nothing to more than $1,000. Factors that influence the cost of your abortion include the type of termination and your stage of pregnancy.
According to Planned Parenthood, a medication abortion can cost up to $800 — but the cost is often less. The cost without insurance averages about $580. A medical abortion typically doesn’t require follow-up care.
The cost of a surgical abortion, which is an in-clinic procedure, increases as your pregnancy progresses. Prices vary between Planned Parenthood clinics.
For example, at Planned Parenthood in Washington, D.C., a surgical abortion in 2023 ranges from $578 to $2,008. Sedations for abortions beyond 14 weeks cost an additional $220. Extra medication if you are Rh negative costs $120 to $140 at this clinic.
How much do abortion services cost elsewhere?
Abortion services can have a range of prices depending on your insurance status and other factors.
Medication abortion (pills)
The “abortion pill” is actually a course of two prescription medications.
Mifepristone (Mifeprex) and misoprostol (Cytotec) are taken as a course of treatment to end a pregnancy. Some healthcare providers may prescribe these medications in the first 10 weeks of pregnancy.
Nationwide, the average cost of a medication abortion is $500 without insurance.
In-clinic abortion
Surgical abortions require an in-clinic procedure. As mentioned, you can expect to pay from nothing to more than $1,000 depending on:
Length of pregnancy
Whether you have insurance
Whether your insurance covers abortion care
Medications required
Follow-up care (a post-abortion exam is included in Planned Parenthood’s price, but may not be if you receive services elsewhere)
Additional costs you may incur from having abortion services
What other factors can affect the price of an abortion?
The total cost of an abortion may be more than pills or a procedure — or even additional medications or follow-up care. For instance, you may need to travel if there is no abortion service provider near you or you don’t have access to abortion pills in your area.
Other nonmedical expenses associated with your abortion care may include:
Lodging
Child care
Time off work
Which organizations or funds can help me pay for abortion services at Planned Parenthood?
There are many groups and funds that support the cost of abortion services and related nonmedical expenses.
The National Network of Abortion Funds maintains a state-by-state list of organizations that accept requests for assistance along with tips for accessing financial support.
National funds include:
The bottom line
Getting free abortion services at Planned Parenthood is possible with insurance or financial assistance from an abortion fund.
You may not be able to access the care you need at your closest Planned Parenthood clinic because certain abortion services are illegal or restricted in some states. Your care may also require nonmedical expenses such as transportation, lodging, and time off work.
Why trust our experts?
If you’re concerned about an unplanned pregnancy and want to understand your options, help is available. You can call the National Abortion Hotline at 1-800-772-9100, the Repro Legal Helpline at 1-844-868-2812, or visit the Women’s Reproductive Rights Assistance Project.
References
Kaiser Family Foundation. (2023). The availability and use of medication abortion.
Planned Parenthood. (n.d.). How do I get an in-clinic abortion?
Planned Parenthood. (n.d.). How much does the abortion pill cost?
Planned Parenthood. (2022). How much does an abortion cost?
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Information about mifepristone for medical termination of pregnancy through ten weeks gestation.
If you’re concerned about an unplanned pregnancy and want to understand your options, help is available. You can call the National Abortion Federation hotline at 1-800-772-9100, the Repro Legal Helpline at 1-844-868-2812, or visit the Women's Reproductive Rights Assistance Project.
