A medication abortion (the pill) costs around $563 at the national median, while a first-trimester procedural abortion runs about $650. Those numbers climb significantly in the second trimester, and they vary widely depending on where you live, how far along you are, and whether you have insurance coverage. Here’s what to expect at each stage.
Cost by Type of Abortion
There are two main categories: medication abortion and procedural (in-clinic) abortion. Medication abortion uses two pills taken over one to two days and is available through about 10 to 11 weeks of pregnancy. The national median self-pay charge is $563, though prices range from $150 in some states to $885 in others. At Planned Parenthood clinics specifically, the average is around $580, with a ceiling of roughly $800.
A first-trimester procedural abortion, sometimes called aspiration or suction abortion, has a national median self-pay cost of $650. This option is typically available from about 6 weeks through 13 weeks of pregnancy. The visit itself is usually completed in one day, including a short recovery period at the clinic.
Second-trimester procedures are more involved and more expensive. Early in the second trimester, the average cost at Planned Parenthood is about $715. Later in the second trimester, that rises to $1,500 to $2,000. The national median self-pay charge for any second-trimester procedural abortion is $1,000, but this figure masks enormous state-level variation.
How Gestational Age Affects Price
Cost rises with each additional week of pregnancy. This happens because later procedures require more time, more specialized training, and sometimes multiple clinic visits or overnight stays. A pregnancy at 8 weeks might cost a few hundred dollars to end, while the same decision at 20 or more weeks could cost several thousand. In practical terms, every week of delay adds to the final bill, which is one reason that barriers like waiting periods, travel distance, and appointment availability have financial consequences beyond the obvious.
State-by-State Price Differences
Where you live (or where you travel for care) changes the price dramatically. For medication abortion, states like Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and West Virginia show self-pay charges around $150. Note that many of these states have banned or heavily restricted abortion access since 2022, so that low price point may reflect data collected before bans took effect or from a very small number of remaining providers. On the higher end, Colorado charges a median of $885 for medication abortion, and Alaska and Connecticut come in around $800.
For first-trimester procedural abortions, Alaska ($1,150), Colorado ($1,364), and New Mexico ($925) are well above the $650 national median. New Jersey sits at $836. These higher costs often reflect states that are absorbing patients traveling from nearby states with bans.
Second-trimester costs show the widest spread. The national median is $1,000, but New Jersey charges a median of $3,025, South Carolina $2,600, and New Mexico $2,325. If you’re comparing prices across state lines, factoring in travel, lodging, and childcare costs is just as important as the procedure fee itself.
Telehealth and Mail-Order Options
Telehealth has become one of the most affordable routes for early medication abortion. Aid Access, a well-known telehealth provider, charges $150 for a consultation and pills mailed to your home. That’s roughly a quarter of the average clinic price. You complete a medical screening online, a clinician reviews your case, and the medication arrives by mail.
Telehealth medication abortion is available in states where it remains legal, though regulations vary. Some states require an in-person visit before prescribing, which eliminates the mail-order option. In states where it’s permitted, telehealth is the lowest-cost pathway for pregnancies within the eligible window (generally up to 10 to 11 weeks).
Insurance and Medicaid Coverage
Whether insurance covers your abortion depends almost entirely on your state and your type of plan. Federal law, through the Hyde Amendment, has banned federal Medicaid funding for abortion since 1977, with narrow exceptions for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest or those that endanger the patient’s life. About 19 states use their own funds to cover abortion for Medicaid enrollees beyond those limited circumstances. Thirteen of those states also require all state-regulated private insurance plans to include abortion coverage.
On the other side, 25 states prohibit abortion coverage in their ACA Marketplace plans. In the 12 states (plus Washington, D.C.) that neither require nor prohibit coverage, the picture is mixed. Six of those states have no Marketplace plans that actually include abortion coverage, while the other six and D.C. have at least one plan that does. The takeaway: even in states where abortion is legal, your specific insurance plan may not cover it. Call your insurer before assuming you’re covered.
If you do have coverage, your out-of-pocket cost will depend on your deductible and copay structure, just like any other medical service. If you haven’t met your deductible, you may end up paying the full price anyway.
Additional Fees Beyond the Procedure
The sticker price for an abortion often doesn’t include every cost you’ll face at the clinic. An ultrasound, which most clinics require before the procedure, can add $109 to $280 depending on the type. Blood work for hemoglobin and blood typing runs about $8 to $23 per test, plus a blood draw fee of $10 to $23. If you choose moderate sedation for a procedural abortion, that can add roughly $95.
These fees are sometimes bundled into the quoted price and sometimes billed separately. When you call a clinic for pricing, ask whether the number they give you includes the ultrasound, lab work, and any sedation options. A $650 quote that excludes a $221 ultrasound and $95 sedation fee is really closer to $966.
Then there are the indirect costs. If you need to travel to another state, you’re looking at gas or airfare, one or two nights in a hotel, meals, lost wages, and possibly childcare. Research has consistently shown that these logistical costs can rival or exceed the procedure cost itself, particularly for second-trimester care that may require multiple appointments over two days.
Financial Assistance Options
Abortion funds are grassroots organizations that help cover some or all of the cost for people who can’t afford it. The National Network of Abortion Funds maintains a searchable directory of local and regional funds across the country. Some funds pay the clinic directly, while others help with travel, lodging, or childcare. Most require you to call and speak with a volunteer, and funding is limited, so wait times and approval aren’t guaranteed.
Many clinics also offer sliding-scale fees based on income. Planned Parenthood locations, for example, adjust pricing for uninsured patients. Some independent clinics do the same. It’s worth asking about reduced fees when you schedule your appointment, especially if you’re paying out of pocket. Between clinic discounts, abortion funds, and telehealth options, the effective cost can drop well below the listed price for patients who seek out these resources early.