What Are Abortion Funds and How Do They Help Pay for Abortion Care?

Understanding Abortion Funds and Their Role in Covering Abortion Cost

Abortion funding is an organization that financially supports those in need of abortion by helping with impediments to abortion due to cost. Abortion funding groups remove all cost-based barriers to enable individuals with limited incomes or no insurance and those living far away from reproductive health services to gain access to reproductive health care in a safe and timely manner.

In addition to the cost of the abortion procedure, additional costs associated with obtaining an abortion include travelling to a clinic, sleeping somewhere, child care and loss of wages. Abortion funding is there to subsidize or cover the costs for these barriers so that individuals can have access to care. Patients can also learn more about all available financial assistance options through our guide on how to access abortion care in Illinois.

What is an Abortion Fund?

Help is available to assist people who have a need for financial assistance with abortion services, through the use of abortion funds. Abortion funds are community-based and nonprofit organizations that provide financial assistance to people seeking abortion services when they are unable to pay for these services out of their own pocket.

People donate money to abortion funds to help those who are seeking an abortion; all of the funding used to assist individuals is the result of donations from individuals and from advocates and other organizations supporting abortion access. While provided funds do not require a repayment, the assistance provided by abortion funds is not a loan.

Abortion funds often work with clinics/medical professionals so that payments are made by the abortion fund directly to an approved medical procedure/service.

What Costs Do Abortion Funds Help Cover?

Abortion funds assist with more than only the cost of abortions. They try to break down all financial and logistical obstacles that stop someone from receiving an abortion.

Depending on eligibility and resources available at the time of the request, abortion funds may provide support for:

• Abortion (surgical or medical), which includes pregnancy terminating medications
• Cost of partial or full procedure
• Transportation, including bus, train, gas, and/or flight
• Hotel or temporary lodging
• Child care while parents are receiving care
• Food/Your travel expenses; and potentially provide additional support in some cases

Combined support will ensure a person receives care, regardless of the person facing financial or geographic constraints. Patients who need to travel for care can also find helpful planning information in our guide on traveling for an abortion.

How Abortion Funds Work (Step-by-Step Process)

To facilitate timely and efficient delivery of abortion assistance to individuals who qualify, abortion funds adhere to the following process:

1. Appointment and/or Cost Verification

The applicant will either schedule an appointment for an abortion or obtain an estimate of the cost from the abortion provider.

2. Request for Funding

The applicant will submit a request for funding assistance to one or more of the abortion funds through either an online or telephone application process.

3. Review of Application

The abortion fund will review the applicant’s request for funding based upon their eligibility (e.g., income, location, gestational age, etc.) with regards to the abortion funds available for granting.

4. Funding Award

If the applicant is approved for funding, the abortion fund will determine how much they are able to grant to the applicant. The funds could cover either all or a portion of the costs associated with the abortion.

5. Payment Made to Provider

In almost all instances, the abortion fund pays the abortion provider or clinic directly, and therefore, does not make payments to the applicant.

Who Can Access Abortion Funds?

An abortion fund is an organization that provides financial assistance to eligible individuals who face financial or structural barriers to abortion care.

Support is commonly available for:

• Low-income individuals
• Uninsured or underinsured patients
• People in states or regions with limited abortion access
• Individuals who need to travel for care
• Marginalized communities facing systemic healthcare barriers

While each organization has its own set of eligibility criteria, most organizations allocate funds based on a client’s demonstrated financial need.

Why Abortion Funds Are Important for Access to Care

The expense of getting an abortion differs in relation to the type of physician you visit, where you reside and the stage of your pregnancy. Even when you have health insurance to cover your procedure, often it will not cover all the costs.

Other common barriers to obtaining abortion care include:

• Limited or no health insurance coverage for abortion services.
• Out-of-pocket expenses for patients.
• Traveling due to clinic availability.
• State-level limitations on access to abortion services.
• Delays that cause increased costs per patient.

Because of barriers outlined above many rely on an abortion fund to obtain abortion care without additional financial delays. Patients can also explore telehealth abortion care as a more affordable and accessible option that eliminates many travel-related costs.

How to Apply for Abortion Fund Support

To get help from an abortion fund, a person usually goes through these steps:

• Call or visit a clinic or provider to learn about total costs.
• Contact one or more funds (applying to many is common).
• Provide requested personal and financial information.
• Be patient while waiting for determination of eligibility and an answer.
• Be informed of determination of eligibility and that an abortion fund approved your funding, if you were eligible.

In many situations funds respond quickly but the timeline can differ based upon need and available resources. To connect with a provider who can also assist you in identifying funding options, schedule an appointment with Serenity Choice Health today.

Limitations of Abortion Funds

Although abortion funding is vital to so many people, there are limits to what they can do.

Here are some key limitations:

• Demand for assistance is greater than available funds.
• Some funds only serve specific regions.
• Many funds provide partial assistance rather than full assistance.
• Some funds require eligibility based on income or area/residence.

Due to these limitations, it is advisable to apply as early as possible, and to reach out to various types of abortion funding sources.

Abortion Funds vs Insurance Coverage

Abortion Funds Are Not a Substitute for Health Insurance

Depending on your policy and state guidelines, abortions can be covered by insurance. When there is no insurance, there is little insurance, or the policyholder does not use their insurance, then abortion funds provide financial assistance.

Abortion funds and/or insurance may possibly be utilized together to lower an individual’s overall expense.

Additional Support Provided by Abortion Funds

In addition to offering financial assistance, a number of abortion funds provide an array of resources which include:

• Assistance with locating a provider
• Support with insurance issues
• Travel arrangements
• Delivery of both emotional and practical support
• Referral to trusted healthcare providers

By providing holistic support, many fund/organizations help to reduce barriers to getting an abortion for individuals seeking funds through the fund. Patients who need medication abortion or in-clinic abortion services can speak with our team at Serenity Choice Health about connecting with abortion funds and other financial resources before their appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Abortion Funds

1. What is an abortion fund?

An abortion fund is a nonprofit organization that helps individuals cover the cost of abortion care, along with any other costs surrounding the abortion process.

2. Do abortion funds provide loans?

No. Abortion funds provide individuals with financial assistance that is not repayment-required.

3. What expenses do abortion funds cover?

Abortion funds may cover abortion procedures, abortion pills, travel/lodging, and childcare, amongst other related expenses.

4. How do abortion funds send money?

Yes. Many people apply for additional assistance to cover any outstanding costs that their insurance does not cover.

5. Can I apply if I already have insurance?

Yes. Many people apply for additional assistance to cover any outstanding costs that their insurance does not cover.

6. Do abortion funds cover travel costs?

Yes. Many abortion funds will assist you with transportation and lodging costs if needed.

7. Can I apply to more than one abortion fund?

Yes. By applying to multiple abortion funds, you increase your chances of receiving funds.

8. How long does approval take?

The time frame for receiving a response will depend on the specific fund. Responses can take anywhere from a few hours to several days.

9. Are abortion funds available everywhere?

Abortion funds are located throughout many areas. Availability will differ based on state, but many states have both national and local funds.

10. Do abortion funds cover abortion pills?

Yes. There are many abortion funds that support the payment of both medication and surgical abortion care.