The cost of a medication abortion can vary depending on where you get it and whether or not you use insurance. According to Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health (ANSIRH), the median cost of a medication abortion in Illinois in 2021 was $490. However, private insurance or the state’s Medicaid program (which Hey Jane accepts) should be able to lower or eliminate the cost under certain circumstances.

‍

‍

‍

According to ANSIRH, the median cost of procedural abortion services during the first trimester in Illinois in 2021 was $463. And the median cost of second-trimester procedural abortion services in Illinois in 2021 was $1,385. However, private insurance or the state’s Medicaid program should be able to lower or eliminate the cost under certain circumstances. 

Procedural abortions are generally more expensive than medication abortions, and in-clinic medication abortions are generally more expensive than telehealth medication abortions. But cost is not the only consideration, and patients should consider all relevant factors when choosing what's best for them.

The cost of treatment with Hey Jane is typically less than the average of the state you’re seeking care in. It will depend on your annual income, if you’re using insurance or paying out-of-pocket, and whether you need financial assistance. We partner with abortion funds to provide financial assistance for people seeking abortions, which can cover up to 100% of treatment costs. If you’re traveling for an abortion, funds can help with those costs too.

How to pay for an abortion in Illinois

Cost should never prevent someone from getting an abortion that they need, which is why we offer different payment options. The cost of treatment with Hey Jane is determined by your annual income, and you can pay with a variety of methods. To make care more accessible, we accept Illinois Medicaid plans, credit or debit payments, Cash App (no bank account needed), HSA/FSA funds, and select insurance plans.

We also partner with abortion funds that can provide support for eligible patients. Abortion funds can cover the full or partial cost of treatment. Learn more about abortion funds and how they might be able to help you get the care you need.

‍

Does insurance cover abortion in Illinois?

Yes, both private insurance and the Illinois Medicaid program may bring the cost of abortion care to as low as $0 depending on your plan. This includes your co-pay or co-insurance fees and whether or not you've hit your deductible (the initial cost you have to pay out-of-pocket before insurance starts to cover medical costs). Hey Jane patients who get treatment in Illinois can use Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Oscar, and Sana Benefits insurance plans or Illinois Medicaid to pay for their medication abortion. We're actively working to expand coverage.

‍

Does Illinois Medicaid cover abortion?

Yes, and Hey Jane currently accepts Illinois Medicaid for medication abortion care provided to members receiving treatment in Illinois. Medicaid can significantly lower (or eliminate) the cost of care, and includes all the medications you need for treatment and on-demand clinical support via your phone.

‍

How to get abortion pills in Illinois

Telehealth abortion care is a safe and private way to get an abortion from the comfort of your home.

‍

Hey Jane is the leading provider of at-home abortion care in the US. We offer medication abortion care for people who are at least 18 years old and are up to 10 weeks pregnant. 

‍

At Hey Jane, we believe in providing private abortion care with holistic medical, emotional, and community support. We determine patient eligibility based on your gestational age and your medical history. To find out if you’re eligible, fill out our secure, online form. 

‍

If you’re eligible, our clinical care team will guide you through the process to receive FDA-approved abortion pills. Our fast turnaround times ensure the medications are delivered quickly to your door. We offer ongoing support from our clinical care team, 24/7 support for urgent needs, a peer-to-peer community forum, and helpful resources. We also provide financial assistance and accept patients regardless of immigration status. 

{{rich-text-get-started-cta}}

‍

What you need to know about Illinois abortion laws

In 2019, Illinois enacted a statutory protection for abortion as a fundamental right. This allows every individual to make autonomous decisions about their reproductive health, and gives pregnant people the right to choose to continue their pregnancy or to have an abortion. The Illinois Supreme Court has also recognized the right to abortion under the state’s constitution. 

‍

In January 2023, Illinois enacted a law that protects providers, patients, and people who help others access abortion care from any out-of-state investigations or legal actions.

‍

Illinois abortion laws are constantly evolving. Stay up to date on the latest.

‍

How late can you get an abortion in Illinois?

You can be prescribed abortion medication, a combination of mifepristone and misoprostol, up to 10 weeks after the first day of your last menstrual period.

‍

If your pregnancy is further along than that, you can get an in-clinic procedural abortion prior to fetal viability (typically around 24 -26 weeks). 

‍

Beyond that, you can get an abortion if a healthcare professional determines it is necessary to protect your life or health or if the fetus will not survive.

‍

Who can get an abortion in Illinois? 

Anyone with a uterus can get an abortion in Illinois until the pregnancy is viable (usually 24-26 weeks into a pregnancy), or afterwards to protect the life or health of the patient.

‍

If you live in a state where you’re unable to get an abortion, you can travel to Illinois to get the care that you need. 

‍

Anyone located in Illinois - including out-of-state residents, college students, minors, and undocumented immigrants can get an abortion in Illinois. If you are younger than 18, you do not have to notify or get permission from your parent or guardian before you have an abortion.

‍

The abortion pill explained

The abortion pill is actually two medications taken separately—mifepristone and misoprostol. The first medication, mifepristone, blocks the pregnancy hormone (progesterone), which stops a pregnancy from growing. 

‍

Then, 24-48 hours later, the second medication, misoprostol, is taken. This medication causes cramping and bleeding to empty the uterus. 

‍

For some, this treatment can feel like a heavy period, but for others, it can feel much more intense. Everyone's experience is different.  Read our guide on what to expect after taking abortion pills for more information.

‍

While the majority of abortions performed in the US are medication abortions, about 73% of adults don’t know about this option, and baseless lawsuits only serve to further confuse people. If you can, use our Un-whisper Network to spread the word— to your friends, your family, your community.

‍

Medication abortions are safe and highly effective

Medication abortion is very safe. Complications from this treatment are very uncommon— they occur in less than 1% of patients. When used correctly, the medications work up to 99.6% of the time.

‍

Getting a medication abortion does not lower your chances of getting or staying pregnant in the future; it does not cause infertility or cause birth defects in a future pregnancy. In fact, you can get pregnant almost immediately after having an abortion.

‍

That’s not all:

• The abortion pill is safer than Tylenol (acetaminophen)
• The abortion pill is safer than Viagra (sildenafil)

‍

Despite myths that say otherwise, having an abortion does not increase your risk for breast cancer and does not cause depression.

‍

How to find an abortion clinic in Illinois

If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or prefer to get an abortion in person, there are some factors to keep in mind when searching for the right abortion clinic.  

1. First, calculate how far along you are in your pregnancy. Some clinics only offer abortion procedures up until a certain gestational age, so you’ll want to call to confirm that you’re eligible before scheduling. You may also want to consider the cost of an abortion in Illinois, which is different for medication versus procedural.
2. Illinois provides public funding for all or most medically necessary abortions and requires private insurance plans to cover abortion care. If you need help or financial support, here are some great resources.
3. Beware of fake clinics! When searching for clinics online, use caution. You’ll want to avoid scheduling with a fake clinic, sometimes called a “pregnancy center,” a type of organization that often appears clinical online and in-person, but are not medical clinics and aim to prevent pregnant people from accessing abortion care. Horrible, we know. INeedAnA.com has a helpful search tool for locating real abortion clinics.

‍

Abortion in Illinois is safe and legal.  

And it’s a basic health care need for millions of people who can become pregnant. In fact, about  1 in 4 people with a uterus will have at least one abortion in their lifetime. 

‍

Right now, you can have an abortion for any reason in Illinois until fetal viability, which is the stage of pregnancy when a fetus has developed enough that it is able to survive outside the uterus without extreme medical help. It usually happens around 24 to 26 weeks of pregnancy, but is determined by a physician on a case-by-case basis. After fetal viability, you can have an abortion if a healthcare professional determines it is necessary to protect your life or health.

‍

There are several ways to end a pregnancy, including in-clinic procedures, and FDA-approved abortion pills which can be taken at home and have less than a 1% risk of complications. Factors like the gestational age of the fetus, your medical history, and your personal preferences will help determine which methods of abortion are best for your situation. 

‍

In pregnancies up to 10 weeks, medication abortion treatments can be completed at home through telehealth providers like Hey Jane. After completing our secure intake process online, you’ll be connected with one of our licensed medical providers. If they determine you’re eligible for treatment, you’ll receive your medication within a few days in discreet packaging, plus anti-nausea medication and ibuprofen to help with any side effects. You’ll continue to have access to our expert and compassionate clinical care team for medical and emotional support along the way.

‍

Last updated December 2, 2024