Does health insurance cover abortions?

An abortion procedure, including a medication abortion (the abortion pill) and a surgical abortion, may or may not be covered by your health insurance plan. The answer depends on your state's reproductive health care laws and restrictions, the type of health insurance, insurance company policies and the timeframe of the pregnancy. Some states restrict abortion, while others allow women to have access to abortion procedures depending on the situation. Laws have been changing rapidly since Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022.

According to the Guttmacher Institute, as of June 2023:

  • 11 states have laws restricting coverage for abortion in all private insurance health plans, including ACA plans.
  • Eight states require coverage in all private insurance policies.
  • 25 states restrict abortion coverage and plans offered through health insurance exchanges, with limits to coverage that may include cases involving only one or more of the following exceptions: life endangerment, a threat to the pregnant person's health, rape, incest, fetal abnormality, and "substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function."
  • 21 states restrict insurance coverage of abortion for public employees in health insurance plans.

ACA marketplace plans may or may not cover abortion services. In more than half the states, health insurance plans sold in the exchange aren’t allowed to cover abortions except for circumstances involving rape, incest, or the mother's life is in danger.

Find out the specifics of your state’s abortion restrictions and laws.

Also, on the federal government level, the Hyde Amendment is a Congressional provision that bars using federal funds to pay for abortions except to save the life of the mother or if the pregnancy was the result of rape or incest.

How much is an abortion with insurance?

If you have insurance that covers an abortion procedure, you could pay an amount ranging from nothing to a few hundred dollars out of pocket, depending on the type of procedure and your policy's copay or coinsurance requirements.

Without insurance, a medical abortion (effective only within a pregnancy's first 10 weeks) can likely cost between $300 and $700, and a surgical abortion (after the first 10 weeks) can cost more than $3,000.

The Kaiser Family Foundation reports that the median cost of an abortion is $500 at 10 weeks gestation versus $1,195 at 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Organizations like Planned Parenthood also offer services at no to low cost if you qualify. Contact Planned Parenthood health centers for more information about those options.

Health insurance companies that provide abortion coverage

Many health insurance companies provide coverage for abortion services if state laws allow it and if the insurer chooses to cover these services. Some health insurance companies may even pay for treatment that takes place in another state if laws force the patient to travel for care.

Since most health insurance companies operate in more than one state, the coverage available will vary by state, making it difficult to say definitively that one company or another does cover abortion. Check with your health plan to find out what's covered.

Know about the best health insurance companies for 2024.

How are abortions paid for?

If you have health insurance that covers abortion services and live in a state that allows for this coverage and the services, you can have an abortion procedure done and submit a claim for the costs through your insurance company.

Your health insurance company will likely pay the provider directly. Alternatively, you may pay for the procedure out of pocket if you don't have health coverage.

Health insurance finder tool

Are you unemployed and lost your job within the past 60 days?
lady with box
Back
Can you get health insurance from your job?
Back
men use laptop
Back
Do you have spouse who can get health insurance through a job?
Back
couple
Back
What is your age?
Back
three mens
Back Reset result
Our recommendation

COBRA

Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act
People who lose their employer-sponsored health insurance may qualify for a COBRA plan. COBRA lets you keep your former employer's health plan, but you're responsible for paying all of the costs, including your former employer's portion.
Know more about COBRA
You can also opt for
Back Reset result
Our recommendation blue shield
Back Reset result

How much is your family income?

$1,000 $100,000

How big is your family?

Back
family
Back Reset result
Our recommendation

Medicare

People who are 65 and over qualify for Medicare. You can choose Original Medicare (also called Parts A and B), which is offered by the federal government, or Medicare Advantage (also called Part C), which private insurers provide. The average annual premium for Original Medicare is about $1,600. Medicare Advantage's average yearly premium is $336, but you may have higher out-of-pocket costs than Original Medicare.
Find out more about Medicare costs
Back Reset result
Our recommendation blue shield
family
Compare and Buy Health Insurance Quotes in minutes
Back Reset result
Our recommendation

Medicaid

Low-income Americans qualify for Medicaid. Thirty-eight states expanded Medicaid eligibility, so lower-middle-class Americans may also be eligible in those states. Medicaid offers comprehensive benefits, but at little to no cost depending on your income. Each state has its own eligibility. Some states are flexible with Medicaid eligibility for people who are pregnant, a parent or disabled. If your household income is below 138% of the federal poverty level, you're likely eligible for Medicaid if you live in a Medicaid expansion state. That level is $17,609 for an individual, $23,791 for a family of two, $29,974 for a family of three and $36,156 for a family of four. Non-Medicare expansion states have stricter income guidelines. Check with your state's Medicaid program to see if you qualify.
You can also opt for
Back Reset result
Our recommendation blue shield
family
Compare and Buy Health Insurance Quotes in minutes
Back Reset result
Our recommendation

Parent's employer-based health insurance

The Affordable Care Act lets children stay on a parent's health plan until the age of 26. Having a child on a parent's health plan may or may not increase premiums. It depends on whether you already have family coverage when adding the child to the plan. If a parent already has family coverage, adding a child won't likely increase premiums. However, going from single or couple to family coverage could cause premiums to skyrocket. The average single coverage employer-sponsored plan premium is $1,186. The average family plan is $5,447.
You can also opt for
Back Reset result
Our recommendation blue shield
Back Reset result
Our recommendation

Spouse's employer-based health insurance

Most employers allow employees to add spouses to their health insurance. Going from single health coverage to a family plan may triple or quadruple your premiums. The average single coverage employer-sponsored plan premium is $1,186. The average family plan is $5,447. Not all jobs allow for spouse's coverage, so you'll want to check with your employer to make sure it's an option.
You can also opt for
Back Reset result
Our recommendation blue shield
Find out more about
  • PPO
  • HMO
  • HDHP
  • EPO
Back Reset result
Our recommendation

Employer-based health insurance

Most people with private health insurance get their coverage through a job. employer-sponsored health insurance is usually cheaper than individual health insurance unless you qualify for Affordable Care Act subsidies. Job-based plans are generally less expensive because businesses often pick up more than half of employer-sponsored health insurance premiums. Kaiser Family Foundation estimates the average premiums for a single coverage employer-sponsored health plan is $1,186 and the average family plan is $5,447 annually.
You can also opt for
Back Reset result
Our recommendation blue shield
Click to each one of find out more
  • PPO
  • HMO
  • HDHP
  • EPO
Back Reset result
Employer plans are often one of these types of four plans. Click on each one to find out more.
  • PPO
  • HMO
  • HDHP
  • EPO

Preferred-provider Organization (PPOs)

  • Pay higher premiums with a lower deductible
  • You have access to more providers, but pay much more for health insurance
  • You don't want to choose a primary care physician
  • You don't want to get a referral
  • You want the ability to get out-of-network care
Preferred-provider organization (PPOs) plans are the most common type of employer-based health plan. PPOs have higher premiums than HMOs and HDHPs, but those added costs offer you flexibility. A PPO allows you to get care anywhere and without primary care provider referrals. You may have to pay more to get out-of-network care, but a PPO will pick up a portion of the costs.
Find out more about the differences between plans

Health maintenance organization (HMO)

  • Pay higher premiums with a lower deductible
  • Restricted network of providers with lower premiums
  • You want to choose a primary care physician
  • You don't mind getting a referral
  • You don't care about the ability to get out-of-network care
Health maintenance organization (HMO) plans have lower premiums than PPOs. However, HMOs have more restrictions. HMOs don't allow you to get care outside of your provider network. If you get out-of-network care, you'll likely have to pay for all of it. HMOs also require you to get primary care provider referrals to see specialists.
Find out more about the differences between plans

High-deductible health plans (HDHPs)

  • Pay lower premiums with a higher deductible
High-deductible health plans (HDHPs) have become more common as employers look to reduce their health costs. HDHPs have lower premiums than PPOs and HMOs, but much higher deductibles. A deductible is what you have to pay for health care services before your health plan chips in money. Once you reach your deductible, the health plan pays a portion and you pay your share, which is called coinsurance.
Find out more about the differences between plans

Exclusive provider organization (EPO)

  • Restricted network of providers with lower premiums
  • You don't want to choose a primary care physician
  • You don't want to get a referral
  • You don't care about the ability to get out-of-network care
Exclusive provider organization (EPO) plans offer the flexibility of a PPO with the restricted network found in an HMO. EPOs don't require that members get a referral to see a specialist. In that way, it's similar to a PPO. However, an EPO requires in-network care, which is like an HMO.
Find out more about the differences between plans
Back Reset result
green shield
family
Compare and Buy Health Insurance Quotes in minutes
Back Reset result
Individual insurance/Affordable Care Act
The Affordable Care Act created insurance exchanges that allow people to compare plans. The health law also requires insurers to accept everyone and not charge them exorbitant rates. People who make below 400% of the federal poverty level qualify for subsidies to help pay for an ACA plan.
Know more individual insurance / ACA
Back Reset result
blue shield
To find the kind of ACA plan for you, would you rather...
Back Reset result
Individual insurance/Affordable Care Act
The Affordable Care Act created insurance exchanges that allow people to compare plans. The health law also requires insurers to accept everyone and not charge them exorbitant rates. People who make below 400% of the federal poverty level qualify for subsidies to help pay for an ACA plan.
Know more individual insurance / ACA
People who would prefer to pay lower premiums with a higher deductible may want the below plans
Back Reset result
silver shield

Silver is the second most popular plan in the ACA exchanges, with 35% of people with a Silver plan. Silver has lower premiums than any plan except for Bronze. However, it has lower out-of-pocket costs than Bronze. Silver plans pick up 70% of the costs, while members pay 30% The average single coverage in a Silver plan is $481 monthly and $1,179 for a family plan.

Bronze is the most popular type of plan in the ACA exchanges, with 41% of members with a Bronze plan. These plans have the lowest premiums, but also the highest out-of-pocket costs in the exchanges. Bronze plans pick up 60% of the costs, while members pay 40%. The average single coverage monthly cost in a Bronze plan is $440 and $1,080 for a family plan.

family
Compare and Buy Health Insurance Quotes in minutes
Back Reset result
Individual insurance/Affordable Care Act
The Affordable Care Act created insurance exchanges that allow people to compare plans. The health law also requires insurers to accept everyone and not charge them exorbitant rates. People who make below 400% of the federal poverty level qualify for subsidies to help pay for an ACA plan.
Know more individual insurance / ACA
People who would prefer to pay higher premiums with a lower deductible may want the below plans
Back Reset result
platinum shield

Platinum plans have the highest premiums but the lowest out-of-pocket costs. So, you pay more for the coverage initially but less than other plans when you need health care services. Platinum plans pick up 90% of the costs, while members pay 10%, Not many health insurers offer Platinum plans. Only 2% of members in ACA plans have a Platinum plan, so you may have trouble finding one. The average monthly premiums for single coverage in a Platinum plan is $706 and the average family coverage costs $1,460.

Gold plans have lower premiums than Platinum, but higher premiums than Silver and Bronze. Gold also has lower out-of-pocket costs than Silver and Bronze, but higher than Platinum. Gold plans pick up 80% of the costs, while members pay 20%. The average monthly premium for a single Gold plan is $596. Family coverage averages $1,426 per month.

family
Compare and Buy Health Insurance Quotes in minutes

Health insurance FAQs

Can you get an abortion without insurance?

Yes, you can have an abortion procedure done if you lack health insurance coverage and your state allows it. But be prepared to pay out-of-pocket costs that can be a lot more expensive than if you had insurance coverage for these services.

Does Medicaid pay for abortions?

Medicaid covers most or all medically necessary abortions in 17 states. However, in 32 states and the District of Columbia, Medicaid will only provide abortion coverage in instances of rape, incest, or life endangerment. South Dakota restricts public abortion coverage to cases of life endangerment.

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO cover abortion?

Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO will cover some abortion services in certain states, depending on the plan and reason for the procedure.

Does Cigna insurance cover abortion?

Cigna will cover some abortion services in certain states, depending on the plan and reason for the procedure.

Does UnitedHealthcare cover abortion?

UnitedHealthcare will cover some abortion services in certain states, depending on the plan and reason for the procedure.

Does Medicaid cover abortions in Texas?

No. Texas will not pay for abortions via its Medicaid program, except in limited circumstances such as incest or rape.

Will an abortion show up on insurance?

If you have an abortion procedure done and submit an allowable claim through your insurance company, that claim should be reviewed, verified, and reimbursed to the extent indicated in your policy.

Does insurance cover the abortion pill?

Depending on your plan, the state you live in, the reason for the procedure, and how far along the pregnancy is, your health care insurance may cover the abortion pill (also called a medical abortion).

Continue reading