Plan C is not a product you buy. It’s a website (plancpills.org) that acts as a guide, directing you to vetted sources where you can obtain abortion pills online. The pills themselves typically cost between $150 and $800, depending on how and where you get them. Plan C doesn’t charge for its information, but the providers and pharmacies it links to each set their own prices.
What Plan C Actually Is
Plan C is an informational resource, not a pharmacy or clinic. It maintains a regularly updated guide to online options for obtaining medication abortion in every U.S. state, including states with bans. The site rates and reviews telehealth services, international pharmacies, and community-based options so you can compare cost, shipping time, and reliability. Think of it as a directory with reviews, not a storefront.
Typical Cost Through Telehealth Providers
Most U.S. telehealth providers listed on Plan C charge between $150 and $350 for a consultation plus the pills, shipped to your door. This usually includes a virtual visit with a certified prescriber, the two medications used in a medication abortion, and tracked shipping. Some providers offer sliding-scale pricing or a “pay what you can” model that can bring costs below $100 for people with low incomes.
For comparison, the average cost of a medication abortion at a Planned Parenthood clinic is around $580, and in-person visits at other clinics can run up to $800. Telehealth options tend to be significantly cheaper because they don’t carry the overhead costs of a brick-and-mortar facility. Private insurance may cover part or all of the cost depending on your plan and state, though not all telehealth providers accept insurance.
International Pharmacy Options
Plan C also lists international online pharmacies that ship abortion pill kits to the U.S., often at lower price points. These typically range from $30 to $110 including shipping, with delivery times of one to three weeks. The pills are the same two medications used in U.S. clinics. Some of these services operate on a donation-based model, meaning you can request pills even if you can’t afford the suggested price.
The FDA does not recommend purchasing abortion pills outside its certified program, noting that doing so bypasses safety protocols designed to protect patients. That said, the medications distributed by established international organizations like Aid Access use the same pharmaceutical compounds approved for use in the U.S.
How Medication Abortion Works
Regardless of where you obtain the pills, a medication abortion uses two drugs taken in sequence. The first stops the pregnancy from progressing, and the second, taken 24 to 48 hours later, causes the uterus to empty. This regimen is FDA-approved for use through 10 weeks of pregnancy (70 days from the first day of your last period). Clinical studies consistently show it is effective in about 95 to 98 percent of cases when used within that window.
The process itself feels like a heavy, crampy period for most people and typically completes within several hours to a day after taking the second medication. Some providers listed on Plan C include anti-nausea medication or pain relievers in their kits at no extra charge.
How State Laws Affect Price and Access
Your state’s abortion laws significantly shape what options appear on Plan C’s guide and what you’ll pay. In states without restrictions, you can typically get pills through a straightforward telehealth visit at the lower end of the price range. In states with bans, the process is more complicated.
Currently, 22 states and Washington, D.C. have enacted shield laws that protect clinicians who prescribe abortion pills via telehealth to patients in restrictive states, usually by mailing the medication from a state where it’s legal. Eight of these shield laws explicitly cover telehealth prescribing across state lines. Tens of thousands of people in ban states have accessed pills this way. Providers operating under shield laws generally charge similar rates to standard telehealth services, though shipping may take longer due to the cross-state logistics.
People in restrictive states also face additional logistical costs that don’t show up in the sticker price: travel if they choose an in-person option, time off work, childcare, and the stress of navigating legal uncertainty.
Financial Help to Cover Costs
If cost is a barrier, several paths can reduce what you pay. Many telehealth providers on Plan C offer sliding-scale fees based on income. National and local abortion funds can cover part or all of the cost, and Plan C’s website links to relevant funds by state. Some funds also help with related expenses like travel or lodging if an in-person visit is needed.
Planned Parenthood health centers accept Medicaid in states where it covers abortion, and many offer their own payment assistance programs. If you have private insurance, it’s worth checking your benefits directly, as coverage varies widely by insurer and state.