Where to Find Financial Assistance for Abortion in California

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How much do abortions cost?

Due to the Abortion Accessibility Act of 2023, all state-licensed health insurance plans – including private insurers in California – must cover abortion services without copayments, deductibles, or cost-sharing of any kind.

All Covered California plans (also known as Obamacare) also cover abortion. If you have Medi-Cal, the cost of an abortion is covered entirely by government funds, making it free for the patient.

What if I don’t have insurance?

California’s Presumptive Eligibility for Pregnant Women (PE4PW) program provides temporary medical coverage for outpatient prenatal services to lower-income pregnant California residents. This may include pregnancy-related services that do not require you to stay in the hospital overnight, including abortion.

To access this program, you must see a qualified provider or QP – a Medi-Cal provider enrolled in PE4PW that offers prenatal care. Find a QP near you and contact them to let them know you want to be registered with PE4PW. If you are eligible for the program, a QP can enroll you online.

You can also use the Covered California’s Medi-Cal for Pregnancy tool to determine whether you are eligible for Medi-Cal benefits.

How much will my abortion cost if I don’t live in California?

In addition to California, 16 other states’ Medicaid programs cover abortion. These include: Alaska, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Vermont and Washington.

Be warned that it may be rare for your state’s Medicaid benefits to be used to cover out-of-state procedures. However, there are exceptions, such as in life-threatening emergencies. Some plans may apply to medical facilities and hospitals along your state’s border because people may travel there regularly for health care.

Check your state’s plan to see if it specifically covers abortion And extra-state proceedings.

What financial support is available to me for the abortion I need?

Even though the procedure itself is free in California, people seeking an abortion can still face many financial hurdles. For example, they may need to take time off work or travel a long distance to the nearest available clinic.