By Catherine Shattuck. Revised and updated by Eleanor Grano, Community Outreach and Youth Engagement Coordinator at Jane’s Due Process on August 24, 2019. 

 

Figuring out how to pay for an abortion can feel overwhelming. If you are feeling overwhelmed by the cost of your abortion, the following resources can help you feel more in control and let you know about organizations that can help you pay for your abortion.

If you are under 18 and applying for a judicial bypass in Texas, Jane’s Due Process can help pay for the complete cost of your abortion and ultrasound. You can begin the judicial bypass process by calling our hotline to complete an intake at 1-866-999-5263.

Step 1: Find Your Nearest Abortion Clinic

The most important step in your decision to get an abortion is to locate your nearest abortion clinic.

Austin
San Antonio
Waco
Houston
McAllen
Dallas
Fort Worth
El Paso

If the distance to these clinics is not accessible to you, it can be helpful to schedule your abortion at a clinic in a state that might be closer.

New Mexico
Louisiana
Oklahoma
Arkansas

Abortion clinics in New Mexico do not have a limit on how far along a person can get an abortion. They also do not have parental involvement laws or mandatory waiting periods for pregnant people seeking an abortion.

If you are a Texas resident who is concerned about being able to afford to travel for your abortion, Fund Texas Choice can help with funding for travel-related needs. This could mean a plane or bus ticket, assistance with gas, or a hotel stay.

Fund Texas Choice has a limited amount of funding per week, and are only open for funding on Thursday at 8am CT. If you need support, fill out this secure form as soon as they are open on Thursday! You will have the best chance of receiving funding if you fill out the form within the first 5 minutes that funding opens. You can also reach them by calling 1-844-900-8908.

Step 2: Make an Ultrasound Appointment at an Abortion Clinic

The cost of an ultrasound appointment is about $100-150 dollars. In Texas, the law prohibits private and public insurance from covering abortion. However, some private insurances will cover the cost of an ultrasound. Texas also requires that your ultrasound be done by the same doctor who will perform your abortion.

Teens do not need parental consent to get an ultrasound at an abortion clinic. However, if you cannot involve a parent or legal guardian in your decision to get an abortion, you will need to apply for a judicial bypass. You can begin this process by calling our 24/7 hotline at 1-866-999-5263.

When you contact the clinic, you can expect to be asked general information about yourself: your name, date of birth, a safe contact number. They will also want to know how many weeks you are into your pregnancy. If you do not know the answer to this question, you can calculate how many weeks you are by counting the number of weeks that have passed since your last menstrual cycle (LMP). This pregnancy calculator can help you determine how far along you are.

The clinic needs to know how many weeks you are because the state of Texas bans abortion at 21.6 weeks from your last menstrual period (aka LMP). If you are a minor and past the week limit, you can still call our 24/7 hotline at 866-999-5263 to receive support in discussing your pregnancy options.

The clinic may also ask you what type of abortion you’re wanting. If you don’t know, you can read about the differences between a medical and surgical abortion. Once the clinic gets this information, they will schedule your appointment for an ultrasound.

Beware of advertisements that offer free pregnancy tests and ultrasounds

If you see a place that advertises free ultrasounds; even if they talk about abortion on their website, they are not an abortion clinic. They are crisis pregnancy centers that provide false information about abortion to shame people into carrying a pregnancy to term.

Step 3: Paying for Your Abortion

The cost of a first-trimester abortion ranges from $500-675. Depending on when you last got your period, you may be able to choose between a medical and surgical abortion. If you don’t know which type you want, you can discuss your options with the doctor to determine which procedure is best for you. The abortion pill (aka medical abortion) can be given up to 10 weeks after your last menstrual period (LMP).

The cost of a second-trimester abortion ranges from $825-2,500. No matter the stage of your pregnancy, funding assistance is available. It’s important to know that the majority of abortion clinics do not offer payment plans and only accept cash and credit cards. However, some may accept checks or money orders. Always make sure to know the payment policy before your appointment.

If you don’t have enough money to cover the cost for your abortion, your next step is to tell the clinic where you made your appointment. Many clinics offer reduced pricing or additional funding to low-income patients.

If you are at Planned Parenthood, make sure to ask to be screened for the Justice Fund. The Justice Fund will cover the complete cost of an abortion if you need a judicial bypass, experiencing homelessness, or your unintended pregnancy resulted from sexual assault. If you were sexually assaulted, Planned Parenthood will need your case number if you reported to law enforcement.

If you are at an independent clinic, check to see if they are part of the National Abortion Federation. If so, ask the clinic staff to screen you for NAF Funding. NAF will cover the complete cost of your abortion if you are applying for a judicial bypass or are experiencing homelessness. If your clinic does not screen for NAF Funding but is a NAF clinic, you will need to call the NAF Hotline.

If you still need help, the following abortion funds may be able to help:

• • • If you are going to a clinic in Austin, Houston, or San Antonio, call Lilith Fund.
    • If you are going to a clinic in the DFW area, call the Texas Equal Access Fund.
    • If you going to a clinic El Paso or live in West Texas and going to New Mexico to get an abortion, call West Fund.
    • If you are going to a clinic in McAllen, call Frontera Fund. Frontera Fund also helps pay for ultrasounds and travel expenses to New Mexico or Colorado for anyone living in the Rio Grande Valley.

Remember to schedule an appointment and ask the clinic for assistance before calling an abortion fund.

Abortion funds can only offer small amounts of money, and they return calls beginning with people who are farther along in their pregnancies and have abortion appointments coming up soon. If you don’t hear back, keep calling until you do. Many people combine funds from different sources. However, if your appointment comes and you haven’t heard back yet, go to the clinic with whatever money you have to see if there is emergency assistance available.

The prospect of raising enough money and finding transportation can feel overwhelming, but don’t give up. The bottom line is that there are several organizations in Texas that can help you raise the money you need to get an abortion.

 

 

If you have concerns about your sexual and reproductive health, our volunteer advocates are available 24/7 at 866-999-5263 and by text 8am-11pm CT to support you. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you need help accessing contraception, STI testing & treatment, or abortion in Texas.