A significant change has taken place to access to abortion care throughout the entire US over time. Travel has become necessary due to various state laws and clinics not being easily accessed creating an increased amount of patients who have to travel to another city/state for access to their abortion. The research indicates that more patients require travel outside of their local area for abortion services.
If you are considering travel for an abortion it is essential that you understand what options are available to you and prepare in advance for your abortion travel. The further you know about your pregnancy (i.e., how far along you are) and laws regarding abortion, as well as transportation and lodging arrangements prior to going to receive care, the smoother the process will be for you.
This guide will assist you with things to consider when traveling for an abortion; including costs associated with having the abortion, logistics of travel, and how to access out-of-state services safely.
How Far Along Are You?
The first thing to do when planning your abortion trip is to find out how many weeks along you are. The length of time since the date of your last period will determine what type of access to a provider will be available to provide you with your abortion services. Abortion can be classified as either a medical or surgical procedure.
Medication abortion
Mifepristone and Misoprostol can be used together to terminate early pregnancies (up to 10–11 weeks gestation). Many clinics accommodate late-term medication abortion (up to approximately 13–14 weeks).
Some providers will offer telehealth services for medication abortion. For women who live in states that allow telehealth abortion care services, it may be possible to obtain medication through the mail.
Procedural abortion
Procedural abortion is performed at a clinic by a trained healthcare provider using medical instruments in a controlled and safe environment.
If:
- The pregnancy has progressed beyond 11 weeks
- Medication abortion is not a medically safe option for the patient
- A patient prefers to have in-clinic services.
Knowing how far along you are will determine the location of your initial appointment and the availability of providers in your area, as well as the type of abortion services you can receive (either Procedural Abortion or Medication Abortion) in comparison to distant providers.
Which State Should You Travel To for an Abortion?
When deciding where to go for an abortion, there are many things to consider. Each state has different abortion laws, so you need to know the legal requirements of each state before scheduling your trip for an abortion.
Things to consider when choosing a location:
- How far along you are in the pregnancy
- Which states have laws that permit an abortion procedure at the gestational age of your pregnancy
- What clinics have availability to see you
- How far you need to travel and how will you get there
- Whether or not you will be able to pay for your abortion and, if not, the availability of financial assistance
Numerous patients travel to locations that have stricter protections regarding their right to access abortion services. Two of these states include Illinois and New York, which have laws in place securing abortions as well as facilitating access for anyone traveling from elsewhere.
In light of the existence of abortion-protection laws in both states, most of their abortion clinics provide services to women who do not have access to abortion care at home. Learn more about how to access abortion care in Illinois if you are planning to travel to the Midwest for services.
There are also several online directories, such as I Need an A and Abortion Finder, containing clinics that have been checked and verified. These sites can assist women in locating abortion clinics near where they are traveling and knowing what services will be provided.
How Much Does an Abortion Cost?
The costs of abortion can differ based on numerous factors, including but not limited to the method used to obtain an abortion and how far into the pregnancy the woman is at the time of obtaining the abortion.
| Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Medical Induction | $500–$800 |
| Surgical Procedure (first trimester) | $600+ |
| Surgical Procedure (second/third trimester) | Prices vary according to the woman’s medical needs |
Other Related Travel Expenses
Women should take into consideration potential travel-related expenses when planning for an abortion, including:
- Transportation (i.e., gas, bus, train, flights)
- Accommodations (i.e., lodging)
- Meals
- Childcare
- Workdays missed.
These related costs can reach upwards of thousands of dollars, which is why many women seek assistance in paying for their abortions’ related expenses.
How to Pay for an Abortion
There are different ways that a patient could get assistance with their abortion care and travel costs:
1. Insurance coverage
Abortion services are sometimes covered by private insurance depending on the type of plan, and in some states, Medicaid will pay for abortions under certain conditions. Contact your provider to verify if they cover abortion services.
2. Self-pay
Many patients are paying for their abortions out-of-pocket. Clinics usually accept different types of payments including credit and debit cards and digital payment methods. A lot of clinics can also offer patients a sliding scale price based on their income.
3. Financial assistance programs
Abortion funds and nonprofits can sometimes provide financial assistance to help pay for the cost of abortions and travel expenses related to receiving one.
They may provide assistance for:
- Medical Procedures
- Transportation
- Hotel Stays
- Childcare
- Lost Wages
Some clinics that provide services across state lines work with abortion funds and will help connect patients to available resources.
Should You Bring Someone With You When Traveling for an Abortion?
It is entirely your choice whether or not you want to bring someone along with you on your abortion trip. Some people feel comfortable travelling alone while others prefer to have a trusted friend, family member or partner as support while they are away.
A support person can often be helpful in several ways:
- They can give you emotional support
- They can provide transportation
- They can assist you in recovery
- If permitted by the clinic, they can accompany you to appointments
In the case of procedural abortions where sedation will be used, some clinics may require that you bring someone with you because sedation will cause impairment to one’s ability to coordinate and be alert, therefore it is possible you may need help getting back to your hotel/home.
If you are undergoing medical abortion, you do not need a support person to accompany you; however, many find comfort in having someone close to them.
Planning for Travel, Accommodations, and Time Off Work
Traveling for an abortion will require planning. How long you plan to stay in the city where you will have the abortion is very important for your ability to make arrangements in advance to travel.
Medication abortion
Medication abortion typically takes between 2 – 3 days.
The abortion process consists of:
- Take mifepristone, the 1st medication
- Take misoprostol 24-48 hrs later
Most cramping and heavy bleeding happen within the first 24 hours after taking misoprostol. The transportation of the patient is to be avoided immediately post-procedure. If you are traveling to obtain medication from an abortion provider, you should develop a plan for your travel to facilitate resting during your time of medical care.
Procedural abortion
Most procedural abortions take place during one visit. The duration of your visit will depend on your state and any legislative mandates related to procedural or medical abortions. In some states, there may be several hours between visits for procedural abortions (Ohio, for example). Some states require two visits for later-term abortions, although this is also dependent upon the availability of services in the area.
Therefore, it’s critical to reach out to the clinic/healthcare provider prior to your visit in order to determine how long your travel to and from the clinic will be, in addition to your actual time at the clinic.
Asking for Time Off From Work or School
If you are traveling elsewhere for your abortion procedure or for an abortion pill or for any other reason, you may need to request time off from work or school.
If you do not want to discuss the details of your health care with your employer or school, you are not required to do so. Just saying that you are taking time from work or school for either a medical appointment or for personal reasons is sufficient; most people who take this route will say they need to take time off work/school for medically-related reasons.
Federal and state medical privacy laws will be your best protection to prevent your employer/school from accessing your health records; therefore, you are under no obligation to provide specific reasons for your absence.
How to Prepare for a Medication Abortion Away From Home
If you plan to have a medication abortion while traveling, it may help to prepare in advance. Here are some items many patients find helpful to bring with them:
| Preparing for an Abortion | Description |
|---|---|
| Wear Loose and Comfortable Clothing | You don’t want to be in something too tight when you’re having medical procedures done. Wear loose-fitting clothes like sweats or other types of comfortable loungewear so you can be snug while you’re receiving care. You might also want to bring some spare clothes in case you have a lot of bleeding during the process. |
| Bring Along Something to Eat and Drink | You should bring snacks like crackers, soup, bread, and/or protein bars that will help to provide energy and reduce nausea after taking your medication. You should also bring meals that are prepared ahead of time if there is a microwave available to heat them. |
| Have a Large Water Bottle | Being hydrated is extremely important while you’re going through this process, so having a large water bottle with you will help keep you from getting dehydrated, and allow you to take breaks without having to get up many times. |
| Bring Electrolyte Drinks with You | Drinking electrolyte drinks (for example: sports drinks or ‘oral rehydration solutions’) will assist in keeping you hydrated and provide your body with extra fuel it will require to recover from nausea and fatigue. |
| Have Heavy Menstrual Pads | After taking Misoprostol, you may need to use heavy or overnight menstrual pads to help control bleeding. You’ll need to monitor how much blood you’re losing, and if you’re changing out multiple pads rapidly, you should call your healthcare provider. |
| Utilize Heating Pads | Heating pads and hot water bottles can provide relief for stomach cramps associated with surgery; you will be able to purchase them from any pharmacy, and you will find them helpful during / after your abortion. |
It is also helpful to know the location of the nearest hospital or emergency room. Serious complications from medication abortion are rare, but it is always good to be prepared.
Accessing Care Through Serenity Choice Health
Some Healthcare Delivery Organizations; for example, Serenity Choice Health provide reproductive health services; for example, visiting an Illinois, Indiana or New York clinic may allow an individual to gain access to their desired level of health care even though they may not have this ability where they currently live.
Individuals may be able to access reproductive health services by being able to obtain consultation appointments with licensed professionals regarding medical and/or in-clinic abortion services through these organizations. Individuals who are considering travelling to another state for treatment may benefit from having some understanding of how far along in pregnancy they are, availability of services in the state they are considering travelling to and travel dates before they begin planning their trip.
To get started, schedule an appointment with a provider as early as possible to ensure availability and to explore all of your options.
The Bottom Line
Patients have successfully received health care by travelling to out-of-state providers and clinics and can receive many types of reproductive health care in states such as Illinois that have strong reproductive health laws and highly skilled providers. If you are thinking about flying to receive reproductive health care please consider speaking to a trusted provider who can advise you of your options and help you comply with any applicable laws that may need to be followed for receiving health care. There are also many providers eager to assist you with scheduling appointments in a timely manner. Patients can also explore abortion pill services as a potential option to discuss with their provider before making travel arrangements.
Dr. James Carter is a board-certified physician and lead clinician at Serenity Choice Health, specializing in reproductive health access and medication abortion protocols. With over 20+ years of experience, he combines clinical expertise with patient-centered care to ensure safe, compassionate, and confidential reproductive healthcare.