Planned Parenthood

Someone asked us:

how do you pay for an abortion? why won’t medicaid cover it?

Those are very good questions – ones that a lot of people are curious about.

For those of you who don’t know, Medicaid is government-funded insurance for low-income people. There’s federal funding for Medicaid and also state funding for Medicaid.

The Hyde Amendment prohibits the federal government from paying for abortion except in cases of rape, incest, or if the pregnant person’s life is in danger.

However, the Hyde Amendment doesn’t keep states from using their own Medicaid money to cover abortion. Right now, 17 states use their own state funds to cover abortion for those who have insurance through Medicaid.  

When it comes to private health insurance, it depends on the plan. Some cover abortion and some don’t. So the best thing to do is to call your Medicaid or private insurance office and the health center where you’re getting your procedure to find out if your abortion will covered and how much it will cost.

If your insurance won’t cover your abortion, or if you don’t have health insurance, your local Planned Parenthood health center may be able to help. Many health centers can work out a payment plan with you. Some even provide services on a sliding scale (meaning the lower your income, the less you pay).