How Much Does Planned Parenthood Abortion Cost?

Published on November 14, 2024
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

For those facing the complex decision to terminate a pregnancy, the financial implications often weigh heavily. Comprehensive abortion care at Planned Parenthood provides essential health services for women, but costs remain a common concern. This guide goes into the various factors impacting abortion pricing, arming readers with insights and resources to approach costs at Planned Parenthood knowledgeably.

Article Highlights

• Medication abortions range from $500 (≈4.2 days of your career at $15/hour)-950, surgical around $600 (≈1 week of salary time at $15/hour) on average. Additional costs may apply.
• Prices vary based on gestational stage, facility type, location, procedure needs, and individual factors.
• Compare costs across providers like clinics, doctors, and hospitals in your area.
• Significant financial assistance and discounts are available. Medicaid can greatly reduce out-of-pocket expenses.
• Experts recommend asking about costs upfront and maximizing affordability programs and payment plans.
• Overall costs have remained relatively stable in recent years, but new legislation could impact pricing long-term.

How Much Does Planned Parenthood Abortion Cost?

Planned Parenthood offers both surgical and medication abortions at its health centers. While exact costs vary, average prices for these procedures are:

• Medication abortions - $500 to $950 (≈1.6 weeks of your working life at $15/hour), with the typical cost around $580 (≈4.8 days of your career at $15/hour). This method is available up to 10 weeks into pregnancy.
• Surgical abortions - Up to $800 (≈1.3 weeks working without a break on a $15/hour salary), but often less, for an abortion within the first trimester. The average cost is about $600 (≈1 week of salary time at $15/hour). Second-trimester procedures cost more.

Beyond the procedure itself, additional costs may apply for lab tests, ultrasounds, birth control, medications, and follow-up exams. Those with health insurance that covers abortion may pay less out-of-pocket depending on coverage details. And Planned Parenthood provides financial assistance to help defray costs for eligible patients.

Planned Parenthood South Atlantic provides a breakdown of the costs for different types of abortions. For a medication abortion, which is effective up to 11 weeks of gestation, the base cost is $500 (≈4.2 days of your career at $15/hour), with a cost range of $500 to $950 (≈1.6 weeks of your working life at $15/hour). For surgical abortions, the costs vary based on the gestation period: up to 12.6 weeks, the base cost is $500 (≈4.2 days of your career at $15/hour) with a range of $500 to $1,150 (≈1.9 weeks of continuous work at a $15/hour wage), and for 14 weeks and up, the base cost is $570 (≈4.8 days working for this purchase at $15/hour) with a range of $570 to $2,300 (≈3.8 weeks dedicated to affording this at $15/hour).

Planned Parenthood's general website also discusses the costs, noting that a medication abortion can cost up to around $800 (≈1.3 weeks working without a break on a $15/hour salary), but the average cost at their clinics is approximately $580 (≈4.8 days of your career at $15/hour). For in-clinic abortions, the cost can be up to around $800 (≈1.3 weeks working without a break on a $15/hour salary) in the first trimester, often less, with an average of $600 (≈1 week of salary time at $15/hour). Second-trimester abortions can range from about $715 (≈1.2 weeks of continuous work at $15/hour) earlier in the trimester to $1,500-$2,000 (≈3.3 weeks trading your time for $15/hour) later in the trimester.

Healthline provides additional details, aligning with Planned Parenthood's figures. The average cost of a medication abortion at Planned Parenthood is around $580 (≈4.8 days of your career at $15/hour), and for in-clinic abortions, it is about $600 (≈1 week of salary time at $15/hour) in the first trimester. For second-trimester abortions, the costs range from $715 to $1,500-$2,000 (≈3.3 weeks trading your time for $15/hour) depending on the gestation period. Healthline also mentions that costs can vary based on factors such as the state, health center, and use of health insurance.

NerdWallet echoes these figures, stating that a first-trimester abortion at Planned Parenthood typically costs around $600 (≈1 week of salary time at $15/hour), with a maximum cost of up to $800 (≈1.3 weeks working without a break on a $15/hour salary). They also note that the costs can vary depending on the length of pregnancy, insurance, and location.

Real-World Abortion Costs

To understand how Planned Parenthood's pricing translates to individual experiences, here are two anonymized stories from real patients:

Michelle's Medication Abortion:

Michelle found out she was 7 weeks pregnant but knew she was not in a position to have a child. She opted for a medication abortion through Planned Parenthood. The total cost was $650 (≈1.1 weeks of your career at a $15/hour job), which included the $500 (≈4.2 days of your career at $15/hour) base procedure cost plus $150 (≈1.3 days of continuous work at a $15/hour job) for lab tests. Thankfully, $100 (≈6.7 hours of continuous work at a $15/hour job) of this was covered by Michelle's insurance. So her final out-of-pocket payment was $550 (≈4.6 days working without days off at $15/hour).

Jennifer's Surgical Abortion:

Jennifer was 11 weeks into her pregnancy when she decided to get an abortion. At her local Planned Parenthood, a surgical procedure with IV sedation at this stage cost $650 (≈1.1 weeks of your career at a $15/hour job). An ultrasound and lab work added another $200 (≈1.7 days working without days off at $15/hour). Jennifer's insurance did not cover abortion, so her total out-of-pocket cost was $850. She qualified for financial assistance, which reduced her final payment to $600.

As these real-life examples show, insurance coverage and financial aid eligibility can significantly impact total expenses. But even for the uninsured, Planned Parenthood strives to provide affordable care.

Itemized Cost Breakdown

Several itemized charges make up the total cost of abortion services at Planned Parenthood. Understanding these expenses helps patients better plan for the financial obligations.

Procedure Cost - This base fee covers the clinical staff, equipment, and supplies needed for either a surgical or medication-based abortion. The cost varies based on the stage of pregnancy.

Lab Tests - Tests to confirm pregnancy, check blood type, and screen for STIs may carry additional fees ($50-200).

Ultrasounds - An ultrasound may be recommended before an abortion to date the pregnancy accurately if menstrual dates are uncertain ($100-300).

Medications - Abortions may involve costs for anesthesia, pain medication, antibiotics, and/or the abortion pill ($20-150+).

Birth Control - Patients can opt to begin a birth control method during their visit, which has an additional cost ($0-1000+ depending on method).

Follow-Up Exam - A follow-up appointment often takes place 1-2 weeks after the abortion to ensure completion and check recovery ($50-200).

You might also like our articles on the cost of Morning After pills, Planned Parenthood STD testing, or home pregnancy tests.

Factors Affecting Abortion Costs

Several factors beyond the procedure itself impact what Planned Parenthood charges for abortion services:

Type of Abortion - A surgical abortion involves clinical staff and facility resources. Medication abortions have lower staffing needs and utilize pharmaceuticals.

Stage of Pregnancy - Early abortions when the embryo is small are quicker and less complex, typically costing $300-650. Later second-trimester abortions with larger fetuses require more resources and staff training, costing $1,000+.

Type of Facility - Hospital-based centers often have higher facility fees than stand-alone clinics ($200+ difference).

Location - Cost of living and clinic operational expenses in a particular region affect pricing.

Staffing Levels - Centers with specialty-trained doctors and nurses command higher professional service fees.

Medical Standards - Strict safety and quality protocols require extensive resources, driving up costs.

Individual Factors - Additional needs like genetic testing or extra counseling may increase charges for some patients.

Planned Parenthood vs Other Providers

Planned Parenthood is not the only source of abortion services. Here's an overview of some alternatives:

• Independent Abortion Clinics - Unaffiliated specialty clinics provide similar services at competitive rates in many locations.
• Women's Health Centers - Some women's clinics offer abortion pill services for $300-600 without extensive testing requirements.
• Hospitals - Abortions at hospitals typically cost more ($800-1,500+) due to higher facility fees.
• OB/GYN Doctor's Offices - Private doctors may charge $500-800+ depending on their operating expenses and staffing costs.

While Planned Parenthood strives to keep costs affordable, those with Medicaid coverage may get lower out-of-pocket costs at clinics that accept it. Uninsured patients should compare pricing across providers.

Payment Plans and Financial Aid

Planned Parenthood aims to ensure costs never prevent someone from accessing care. Various financial assistance options exist:

Discounts - Some centers provide discounts for low-income patients, students, and families.

Medicaid - Patients with Medicaid coverage can significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses at participating centers.

Grants - Needs-based grants from non-profits like the National Abortion Federation help cover costs.

Payment Plans - Centers work with patients to set up manageable installment payments over time.

Loans - Organizations such as the National Network of Abortion Funds offer no-interest loans.

Checking eligibility for these programs provides affordable abortion access for many in financial need.

Expert Strategies

For insights on navigating costs, industry experts recommend:

“Contact your nearest Planned Parenthood location upfront to understand the costs unique to that clinic,” advises nurse practitioner Amanda Bell. Knowing clinic-specific charges and discounts allows for realistic budgeting.

“Review your coverage details thoroughly to assess potential insurance benefits, especially Medicaid,” says reproductive health policy analyst Robert Chang. "This can significantly defray your out-of-pocket expenses." “Ask about any available financial assistance or payment plan options during the consultation,” suggests clinic director Eliza Cortez. “Many facing economic hardship don’t realize these resources exist to help make care affordable.”

Their guidance provides actionable strategies for maximizing affordability based on your personal circumstances.

Future Cost Considerations

Looking ahead, several key factors could impact Planned Parenthood's abortion pricing:

• Regulatory Shifts - Changes in national and state-level abortion laws and restrictions may force some centers to close or limit services, constraining capacity and accessibility.
• Staffing Costs - A potential decline in abortion providers long-term could lead to higher salaries to attract skilled staff, translating to higher procedural costs.
• Research Funding - Reductions in investment into developing innovative abortion and contraceptive technologies could slow cost savings from improved efficiencies.
• Energy and Supply Costs - Broader economic dynamics like inflation and supply chain issues affecting medical supplies could put upward pressure on operational costs.

However, Planned Parenthood remains committed to its mission of providing accessible care regardless of a patient’s ability to pay.

The path to accessing abortion spans complex financial, logistical, medical, and emotional dimensions. Yet Planned Parenthood endeavors to make the patient’s journey as informed, supported, and affordable as possible. Those navigating costs for any health service need trusted providers working sincerely to alleviate the burden. For abortion care specifically, Planned Parenthood's specialized clinical expertise and unparalleled financial assistance programs aim to fulfill this role for women nationwide.