If you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy, you probably have many questions, especially about the cost of the abortion pill. Does insurance cover the abortion pill? If not, what is the out-of-pocket cost? Sorting through the numbers and processing your emotions can feel overwhelming, but it’s essential to be informed.
Before you decide to take the abortion pill, it’s crucial to understand all the facts. Keep reading to learn more about the cost of the abortion pill and what you need to know.
Does Insurance Cover the Abortion Pill?
Most California insurance plans are required to cover abortion services. SB 245 requires that beginning in January 2023, insurance plans that cover abortion will be required to cover all abortion services with no prior authorization and with no cost sharing.[1]
However, employers that provide self-funded health care coverage or grandfathered plans are exempt.[2] In some cases, you may be required to pay out-of-pocket for the abortion pill.
How Much Does the Abortion Pill Cost Without Insurance?
The abortion pill can cost between $650 and $1,100 without insurance.[3] Prices vary depending on the dosage required and the provider from whom you purchase it.
Additional Costs to Consider
Like any medical procedure, the abortion pill carries risks and potential side effects, which could require follow-up care, antibiotics, or even surgery. Additional costs may include:
- Hemorrhaging: Bleeding is common after taking the abortion pill. However, if you soak through two full-size sanitary pads per hour for two or more hours, it may indicate hemorrhaging.[4]
- Incomplete Abortion: This occurs when some pregnancy tissue remains in the uterus after taking misoprostol. Emergency surgery may be needed to remove the remaining tissue and prevent infection.[5]
- Infection: Symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or a fever lasting more than 24 hours after taking the second medication may indicate an infection, which could require antibiotics or surgery to treat.[6]
What Should I Do Before Taking the Abortion Pill?
We understand that facing an unplanned pregnancy can be scary. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but take a deep breath. You’re not alone, and it’s important to make an informed decision.
Before taking the abortion pill, you need to get an ultrasound.
Why Do I Need an Ultrasound?
You may be wondering why you’d want an ultrasound if you’re considering the abortion pill.
The reason is that it helps answer two key questions about your pregnancy:
- Is my pregnancy viable? A viable pregnancy means that, in the early stages, growth and development are progressing as expected. For example, after about 6 weeks gestation, the fetal heartbeat can be detected by an ultrasound.[7] If there is no heartbeat, it may mean that a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy has occurred—in either case, abortion is no longer an option to consider.
- How far along am I? It’s important to know how far along you are (your gestational age) since the abortion pill is only FDA-approved for up to 10 weeks from your last menstrual period.[8]
What Are My Pregnancy Options?
In the chaos of an unplanned pregnancy, it can be easy to make a snap decision out of fear. It’s important to understand each of your pregnancy options, so you can make a decision you feel confident in.
Pathway Health Clinic is here to answer all of your questions regarding abortion, adoption, and parenting—all without judgment.
Abortion Pill Information in Vista, California
The risks associated with the abortion pill may be costly. Compassionate care is priceless. The licensed medical staff at Pathway Health Clinic is here to provide the insight and support you need to make an empowered decision for your unplanned pregnancy—all at no cost to you!
Give us a call at (760) 945-4673 or schedule your appointment online today.
Please be aware that Pathway Health Clinic does not provide or refer for abortion services.
Sources
- California Legislature. (2022, March 23). Senate Bill No. 245, Abortion Services: Cost Sharing. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220SB245
- California Department of Insurance. How California law protects insurance coverage for abortion. (2022, July 21). https://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/110-health/30-have/Coverage-for-Abortion.cfm
- As advertised by abortion providers as of June 2025.
- U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2023, December 2023). Mifepristone (Mifeprex). MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a600042.html
- Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2022, July 29). Medical Abortion. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/medical-abortion/about/pac-20394687
- See source #5.
- Männer, J. (2022, June 9). When Does the Human Embryonic Heart Start Beating? A Review of Contemporary and Historical Sources of Knowledge about the Onset of Blood Circulation in Man. Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9225347/#
- Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. (2023, March 23). Mifeprex (Mifepristone). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/mifeprex-mifepristone-information