Abortion cost

How much does an abortion cost? An abortion, just like any other medical procedure, has charges attached to it. Generally, an abortion costs anywhere from $400 and above. Fees and costs vary per clinic especially since they’re usually privately funded therefore they can charge as they want. There are also some add-ons per procedure depending on your medical history and pregnancy. There are also other factors that contribute to the cost of abortion and you may need to consider them as you ponder your decision to have an abortion.

•   Gestation Period - The number one factor that increases the cost of an abortion is how far along you are in your pregnancy. The general rule is that the earlier the pregnancy, the lower the costs. An abortion during the first trimester of your pregnancy is usually cheaper than for those in the 2nd or 3rd trimesters. Take for example, these figures:

• •  An abortion pill (6 weeks - 9 weeks) can cost $400 in one clinic, while $495 in another.
• •  Surgical abortion for 6-11 weeks can cost $395 in one clinic, while $450 in another.
• •  The cost can rise $100 for every additional week.

•   Ultrasound/sonogram - As part of the pre-operative examination in either clinic or hospital, a patient is usually required to have an ultrasound to better assess and get a more exact age of gestation. This usually costs an additional $100.

•   Laboratory Tests - A patient will also undergo a barrage of tests prior to surgery. Things like blood tests, urine tests and pregnancy tests will be asked of the patient in order to get a better understanding of her medical history and over-all well-being. Each type of test has its corresponding fee.

•   Anesthesia - Women who have a low tolerance for pain may opt to ask for general anesthesia instead of local anesthesia. This can also increase the cost of the abortion since you have to pay for the cost of the general anesthesia and for the longer stay in the recovery room either in the clinic or the hospital.

•   Insurance - In most cases, patients have insurance that cover the cost of the abortion. You simply have to go to a clinic that accepts your insurance plan to make things easier.

•   Financial aid - If you lack the financial resources to pay for the abortion, there are some funding institutions that can help you. When you contact an abortion clinic, you only have to ask them about it and most will give a referral to organizations that help. Specifically, clinics who are members of the National Abortion Federation have the resources to help women who qualify under their program. If financial aid is still not enough to cover the costs, you may have to resort to organizations and clinics that offer subsidized procedures. These subsidies are usually offered to teens who have no income of their own and whose parents are not going to support them with the procedure. The really important thing is to have the abortion as soon as possible to delay the rise in costs.