Paying for Abortion


Typical cost of a 1st trimester abortion procedure or pills at a clinic = $600-$650
Typical cost of mifepristone and misoprostol by mail = $150-600

Paying for abortion care in WWAMI

  1. Medicaid (state dependent)
  2. Private Insurance (plan dependent)
  3. Abortion Funds
  4. Out of Pocket

Services unable to pay for abortion care

  1. Most Medicaid Plans

5. Indian Health Services

  1. Medicaid
StateMedicaid Fast Facts
Washington– WA Medicaid covers abortion care in full
– Teens who are pregnant can sign up for Apple Health independent from their families
– DOES cover pregnant patients who are undocumented
– Approval or denial is immediate
WyomingAbortion is only covered by Wyoming Medicaid in cases of rape, incest, or life endangerment
Alaska– Alaska Medicaid does cover abortion care
– Approval or denial can take 4-6 weeks
– There are strict residency requirements to qualify
– Alaska Medicaid can cover the procedure and travel to Seattle when EGA is over AK limits
MontanaAbortion is only covered by Montana Medicaid in cases of rape, incest, life endangerment, or if the doctor deems the abortion medically necessary
IdahoAbortion is only covered by Idaho Medicaid in cases of rape, incest, or life endangerment

2. Private Insurance

Private insurance coverage for abortion care is state and policy-dependent. Teens or pregnant people who are covered by a family member’s insurance plan may hesitate to use their private insurance for fear that the policy-holder may find out about their abortion. 

https://www.kff.org/womens-health-policy/issue-brief/coverage-for-abortion-services-in-medicaid-marketplace-plans-and-private-plans/

Washington-specific info:
Washington state law requires all state-regulated plans to cover abortions if they also cover pregnancy-related care. 

If someone has Providence health coverage, the department of health will pay for abortion services for that patient. Read more here

People (including those under 18) in Washington State who have health insurance under another family member’s policy can request confidential communications to keep bills or other communications from being sent to the address on file. They can request confidential communications here.

3. Abortion Funds

Abortion funds are a fantastic option for patients who need support paying for abortion care or navigating logistical barrier to abortion care!

Washington, Idaho and Alaska: The Northwest Abortion Access Fund
Wyoming: Chelsea’s Fund
Montana: Susan Wickland Fund
All Indigenous Patients: Indigenous Women Rising

4. Out of Pocket

Patients always have the option to pay out of pocket for their abortion care. Depending on their income, many clinics offer a discounted rate. 

5. Indian Health Services

The Indian Health Services (IHS) provides both direct healthcare as well as healthcare coverage   for members of federally-recognized Native American tribes and Alaska Native people. The IHS exists under the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). In 1976, the Hyde Amendment was enacted after Roe V Wade was passed, barring the use of federal funding to cover abortion. The IHS is limited to these federal guidelines and therefore the cannot pay for elective abortion care except in cases of life endangerment, rape, or incest. Read more about the IHS policy here