Free Abortion Fund Partner Program (Serenity Choice Health Guide)

Getting an abortion can be challenging if you can’t afford it, can’t get there easily, or don’t have enough information to make an educated decision. Many people mistakenly believe that they do not have many options when it comes to accessing support for abortion; however, there are structured networks of financial assistance that exist to help patients pay for their abortion (whole or in part).

The most successful type of support is the abortion fund partner program model, which involves clinics and providers working with non-profit funds to assist patients seeking financial assistance with their abortions in a timely and private manner.

This guide provides information on how the abortion fund partner program operates; how patients access abortion funds; who can apply for assistance; and how organizations like Serenity Choice Health aim to improve the process for patients seeking affordable health care.

What Is a Free Abortion Fund Partner Program?

An abortion fund partner program is a formalized system involving the coordination between health care providers and non-profit funds that provide money for women who need to pay for their abortions. The purpose of the program is to provide assistance to women who do not have the financial means to pay for their abortions, either in full or in part.

Many clinics have already established ties to abortion funds, enabling them to provide additional financial support to patients once they are booked into the facility.

These programs are not loans, they are a non-profit support system that was specifically created to ensure people have access to medical care without being affected by the cost.

Abortion Funds are the core of this system, they evaluate financial need and then directly assist patients who qualify. Patients who want to understand all their options can explore our comprehensive abortion financial aid resources to learn what assistance may be available to them.

How Abortion Fund Partner Programs Work

Typically, this process is simple but involves coordination with the patient, clinic and funding organization.

Once a patient contacts a provider/clinic specializing in abortion care, the provider may inquire about eligibility for assistance programs as part of the intake process.

Next, the clinic connects the patient with an abortion fund that has partnered with them. Generally, the patient fills out a short application (often, only by phone) for funding from the abortion fund for their abortion procedure. Once they have received approval from the fund, the fund will send the patient a confirmation/authorization code.

The clinic uses the confirmation/authorization code from the abortion fund to help pay for the cost of the patient’s abortion.

As a result, the patient will receive their abortion procedure either partially financed or completely financed depending on their eligibility and the availability of funds.

This system also eliminates the delays associated with other types of funding sources and allows patients to avoid dealing with multiple sources when trying to secure funding.

Who Can Qualify for Abortion Fund Assistance?

Different abortion funds have different eligibility requirements, but many funds are intended to help people who can’t afford their abortion.

Generally, eligibility is based on income, availability of health insurance, and ability to pay. Some funds may also give priority to individuals who must travel long distances to access services, or who have other financial barriers to getting an abortion (e.g., childcare, lost income).

Many abortion funds do not require extensive paperwork to access funds and work hard to make it as easy and confidential as possible for patients in need. Their goal is to minimize administrative barriers so that patients receive timely assistance.

As important as this is, many funds provide donations without regard to immigration status, so more people will have access to the health care they need. Patients who do not have Medicaid coverage can also learn more about free abortion care without Medicaid and what alternative funding options may be available.

What Costs Do Abortion Funds Cover?

In many instances, after the funding for an abortion itself, abortion fund partner programs provide assistance for other expenses related to accessing abortion care, as well. While the primary focus of the abortion fund is to provide financial support for the actual abortion, many funds recognize that non-medical expenses can also lead to a person being unable to afford an abortion.

Depending on the specific abortion fund, assistance for the abortion could include a full or partial reimbursement for the cost of the abortion procedure or medication abortion; transportation to and from the clinic for the abortion (e.g., mileage, gas, bus fare); room and board expenses, if necessary; and money to help with any lost wages.

Other kinds of help are providing overnight accommodations, child care costs and meal expenses while traveling to receive care. Sometimes the funding will help pay for lost wages due to time off work.

The goal of this type of overall support system is to relieve patients of their total financial burden, not just the medical costs.

The Role of Clinics and Partner Networks

Clinics are the key resource in linking their patients to abortion fund networks. Many clinics partner with non-profit organizations, which makes funding much easier for patients.

Clinics organize support for their patients, rather than requiring patients to search for support on their own. This way, clinics reduce the amount of time wasted in finding funding and speed up the process of gaining access to the provided care.

More modern providers such as Serenity Choice Health include funding support in their intake systems, which allow patients to understand the various types of funding sources, eligibility, and the next steps from the very start of the process.

By melding clinical care with coordination of funding, the patient experience will be much more efficient and less stressful. Patients in Illinois who qualify for Medicaid can also learn about free abortion care through Illinois Medicaid and how to use this coverage to reduce or eliminate their out-of-pocket costs.

Step-by-Step: How to Access Abortion Fund Support

When a woman seeks an abortion and has insufficient funds to pay for it, she usually reaches out to a provider for assistance. After completing intake (finding out eligibility), the woman will be referred to one of the partnered abortion funds. After being referred, the woman will fill out a brief form (either online or over the phone) to request assistance.

Once the request has been approved, the fund will notify the woman and her provider (clinic) directly, and the provider will use the written documentation provided to them from the abortion fund to apply funding to the woman’s care.

Once the mother receives the notification of funding, she will be able to have her procedure and the cost will be reduced or covered, depending on the available funding at the time of the request.

All of these procedures ensure that the process is completed in a timely, safe, and confidential manner for all parties involved.

Why Abortion Fund Partner Programs Matter

Abortion Fund Partner Programs are necessary because a majority of women (and men) who seek abortion care do not have enough money, and that is the primary reason for delay or denial of having an abortion.

Abortion Fund Partner Programs connect abortion clinics with not-for-profit organizations in order to decrease delays in obtaining care and to help ensure that people who do not have the financial means to obtain abortion care, do not have to depend on their income to obtain care.

Abortion Fund Partner Programs help streamline what can become a complicated process with many different applications, eligibility requirements, and provider locations. For many women finding the funds to pay for an abortion can mean the difference between delaying their care until they have the funds or receiving the care when they want it. Patients who need flexible payment options can also explore healthcare financing through Hello Rates as another way to manage the cost of their care.

Serenity Choice Health and Abortion Fund Support

If you’re looking for an affordable way to get access to group health care or mental health services, check out Serenity Choice Health. They provide free or low cost abortions to those not covered by Medicaid. Serenity is able to connect you to a wide variety of organisations that provide financial assistance to pay for portion or all of your medical procedures. The staff at Serenity will assist you with your eligibility determination, and will assist you to complete any applications to access these funds, as well as working directly with your funding sources to obtain a quick approval for funding.

Services available at Serenity include telehealth abortion care in Illinois, medical termination of pregnancy before 9 weeks and medical terminations after 9 weeks of pregnancy at their clinic located at 12100 Principal Square Dr #232, Matteson, IL. If you cannot afford any of these medical services, including medication or related expenses, they may provide additional funding assistance to further reduce your costs. The key aim behind this program is to make abortion care confidential, inexpensive, and easy to obtain while reducing overall stress levels.

Patients can also explore our in-clinic abortion services and how to access abortion care in Illinois to understand the full range of care options available. To get started, schedule an appointment with our team today.

Final Thoughts

Abortion funds that work hand-in-hand with the health care system provide individuals seeking reproductive health care an opportunity to receive free and low cost services. By providing a non-profit source of funding and matching that with a health care provider, the individual can have the costs of the abortion covered through the use of the abortion fund.

When patients understand how the system works (who qualifies, what is covered, how to apply) they will be able to access reproductive health care timely.

With the support of the health care providers and the partner network provided by Serenity Choice, patients will not be alone as they navigate this process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an abortion fund partner program?

This system consists of Accreditation based networks of clinics and non-profit abortion funds that work collaboratively to cover the patient’s costs for abortion, either partially or subsidized.

Do I have to pay back abortion fund assistance?

No, financial support from abortion funds is considered non-repayable. It is not a loan.

How long does it take to get funding approval?

Timing varies depending on the demand and your eligibility for assistance. Most funds notify applicants of their approval within 24-48 hours.

Can I apply for abortion funding without insurance?

Yes, most abortion funds provide assistance regardless of your insurance status.

Does Serenity Choice Health provide funding directly?

Serenity Choice Health does not offer funding; however, we can assist by connecting you with other partnered abortion funds as well as explain what financial assistance is available to you.