What if I go to a crisis pregnancy center aka a “fake clinic”?
What are crisis pregnancy centers aka “fake clinics”?
Crisis pregnancy centers (sometimes called pregnancy resource centers) are anti-abortion religious organizations that try really hard to seem like a normal doctor’s office.
The reality is that crisis pregnancy centers (or what we tend to call “fake clinics”) are heavily biased and their main goal is to talk people out of having abortions. They’ve been known to give wrong and misleading information about how long you’ve been pregnant. They’ve been known to lie about how abortions can change future fertility or cause breast cancer.
Tactics they use:
- Over-emphasizing the dangers of abortion (when in fact science shows us that abortion is very very very safe and doesn’t have long term negative effects on physical or mental health)
- Presenting adoption as the best option for someone who doesn’t want to parent
- Promising money or other things like diapers if you choose to parent
- Calling you multiple times after you visit to come back for follow up appointments
- They often co-opted abortion clinics’ website designs and language to make it look like they’re the same, and are often right next door to actual medical providers and abortion clinics. Sometimes it’s even hard for us to tell right away!
You can see some of their lies and anti-abortion tactics first hand here and here.
How to spot a fake clinic
Typically, crisis pregnancy centers advertise free ultrasounds and are located in a church or their website only talks about prenatal care and adoption. You can check to see if the clinic you’re planning to go to is listed as a fake clinic so you’re prepared (and they aren’t just located in states with strict abortion bans, there are plenty in states like New York and California):
Why do people go to these fake clinics?
- They aren’t sure how long they’ve been pregnant which is making it hard to decide what type of abortion is right for them and the fake clinic offers free ultrasounds (learn how to calculate!)
- They aren’t totally sure they are pregnant and the fake clinic offers free pregnancy tests (note: dollar store tests are very accurate, see more below)
- They want to talk to someone to learn more about abortion options (Talk to someone at Reprocare)
- They aren’t sure if they want an abortion or not (Check out All-Options)
Pregnancy Test Facts
First, know that cheap 2-line pregnancy tests from the store are very accurate. If it has been 21 days since you’ve had sex and you’ve taken a test and read it at the correct time, the result is over 99% accurate. If you are unsure, repeat the test the next day.
It is not medically necessary to “confirm” a positive or negative test by going to a clinic. Clinics do not have any special urine pregnancy tests and use the same type of tests you can buy at the store.
What should I know about “fake clinics” if I decide to go to one?
Where can I find better places to go for pre and post abortion care?
You’re already in the right place! Ineedana.com keeps a list of trusted medical providers who offer abortions. We also have a database of providers in heavily restricted states where you can get ultrasounds, pregnancy tests, post abortion care and miscarriage management without fear of judgment or threats.
Find ultrasound providers near you
If you need an ultrasound and are in a state with abortion restrictions, here are some trusted providers that can help you.
If you go to your primary care provider or obgyn..
They can likely order an ultrasound for you if you really don’t know when your last period was or you’ve had some weird bleeding or think you’re still pregnant after an abortion. You do not need to tell them you are considering an abortion or had an abortion. You can simply call them or send a message on your patient portal to let them know you had a positive pregnancy test and have irregular periods or bleeding and want to know how many weeks pregnant you are or know if you had a miscarriage. After you get your ultrasound you don’t need to follow up with them further if you don’t want to.
Another alternative are Title X and Federally Qualified Health Centers.
They may not provide abortion care themselves, but they often provide free or very discounted care to people with and without insurance (just ask about financial assistance when you make the appointment).
And if you have questions about abortion before, during or after, reach out to the Miscarriage and Abortion Hotline to talk with a volunteer doctor. Call or text (833) 246-2632
We want to acknowledge this isn’t fair or okay. You should be able to go to a trusted abortion clinic in your neighborhood to get accurate information but in the U.S. and especially in abortion restricted states, that’s not always an option. You absolutely deserve better. We will keep fighting for access but don’t forget that ineedana.com and the M+A Hotline always have your back <3
Smoking Weed + Taking Abortion Pills
Can I Smoke Weed During a Medication Abortion?
Yes, you can smoke weed or take an edible during a medication abortion. Smoking weed will not affect how the pills work. In a study on pain management during abortion, all participants who used marijuana said it was at least somewhat effective at relieving pain and cramps.
"People may experience a wide variety of symptoms during a medication abortion including anxiety, nausea and pain. At the M+A Hotline we often have people ask us if they can use marijuana during the process and we give them accurate medical information. It is safe, recommended and doesn’t affect how the abortion medications work to use multiple options to help improve these symptoms. Over the counter medications like 800mg of ibuprofen along with marijuana and taking a bath while having a medication abortion can help improve symptoms during the process."
- Medical Director of the M+A Hotline
What should someone know about getting high during the abortion?
- Weed can help with nausea as well as cramping.
- Indica strains might be a better choice than sativa, as they tend to be more relaxing.
- Write down how often you’re changing pads and any other symptoms, just in case you do need to call the M+A Hotline you don’t have to think too hard ;)
- Don’t rely solely on cannabis for pain management—make sure you have other pain relief options on hand like Ibuprofen (advil/motrin), Acetaminophen (tylenol) and a heating pad.
You can take these pain relievers two different ways:- Take 800mg Ibuprofen with 1000mg Acetaminophen every 6- 8 hours as needed for pain (it is safe to take the medications together as they work differently).
- Take 800mg of Ibuprofen every 6 hours. In between doses of Ibuprofen take 1000mg Acetominophen every 6 hours. This looks like: take 800mg ibuprofen, wait 3 hours, take 1000mg acetominophen, wait 3 hours and keep repeating.
(Ibuprofen has been shown to work better than acetaminophen for cramping pain during the process, so if you only take one, ibuprofen is recommended!)
You don’t want to be so high that you can’t stay alert.
While complications with abortion pills are super rare (less than 1% of the time), they can happen. You’ll need to monitor how much you’re bleeding, keep an eye on your temperature, and be able to communicate with a healthcare provider if something feels off. The M+A Hotline is a great resource if you need to reach a doctor and have more questions — they've heard it all!
Everyone’s experience with a medication abortion is different. Some people have mild cramping, while others experience more intense pain. Both are normal and so is everything in between. The goal is to get as relaxed as possible: put on your coziest PJs, gather up some snacks and water, snuggle into a blanket, put on your favorite show, and if you want, light up a joint or take an edible. If you end up falling asleep, even better!
What about smoking weed after an in-clinic abortion?
It’s also safe and a great tool to use for pain management after the in-clinic abortion! However, on the day of your procedure you need to have a clear mind to sign consent forms so getting high before your appointment isn't recommended. If the doctor or clinic suspects you’re under the influence of any drugs, they will probably make you reschedule your appointment.
If cannabis helps you feel more comfortable and relaxed, go for it! Just make sure to stay in tune with your body and be prepared to manage any symptoms that come up.
If you’ve never tried weed before, maybe now isn't the best time to experiment.
Having an abortion can already feel unfamiliar, and you want to be in a space (physically, mentally emotionally, spiritually) where you feel as safe and comfortable as possible. If you do already have experience with weed—whether smoking or taking edibles—and you know your tolerance and the right dosage, it can actually be a great way to relax and help manage cramping.
If you’re in a state where marijuana is prohibited, be sure to weigh the legal risks before getting high.
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What Happens Now? Our roadmap for 2025
At ineedana.com, our mission is design and build tech that helps people who need abortions in the United States.
Since 2016, we’ve worked to build better tools for people who need abortions. This election doesn’t change that. A lot remains unknown about what will happen in 2025, but we know for sure:
People in every state will keep needing abortions and they will always have options.
We will continue to track how people are getting abortions and share that data. We will continue to design and build new and better ways for people to understand and compare all of their options. We will help them confidently decide on the best abortion for them (be it pills by mail or an in-clinic abortion). We will help them seamlessly navigate the logistics of abortion access, no matter what chaos and confusion the future brings.
Different people will have different needs for their abortions. Many people will want to and benefit from talking to trusted experts about their personal situation.
We will build new tools so people can connect with experts at hotlines like M+A Hotline and Repro Legal Helpline quickly, more securely, and with fewer phone calls directly on ineedana.com.
People living in the most restricted states will need trusted places to go for follow up care and legal miscarriage management.
We will expand our database of trusted providers in restricted states so people can safely access services like ultrasounds and avoid anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers.
The national network of grassroots support and clinics will continue to be innovative heroes and experts in helping their communities get the care they need.
We will improve the infrastructure that enables support organizations to share information with each other, empowering a more resilient and efficient grassroots network.
More work will be needed to fight censorship and make sure we're reaching abortion seekers when they need us most.
We will continue to invest in search engine advertising and optimization. We will also collaborate on educational campaigns like YouHaveOptions.com
By the end of November 2024, we will have helped more than 1.3 million unique users understand their abortion options.
At least one million people will need abortions in 2025. We're going to need *your* support to reach and serve them.
How you can help:
#1 Spread the word
Share ineedana.com with your loved ones and community so they know #YouAlwaysHaveOptions. We've got graphics and swag to help.
#2 Make an abortion plan with ineedana.com and keep it up to date!
Check ineedana.com regularly to review your options for how to get an abortion if you needed one. Start tracking your period with Euki. You can even order abortion pills in advance to have on hand in case you or someone you love needs them. Doing this prep now not only helps possible future you, but also makes you an incredibly knowledgable resource to your community.
#3 Invest in our work
As a non-profit project, we accept tax-deductible donations that may be matchable by your employer.
The need has never been greater, but together, we can help people get the abortions they want, need, and deserve. Thank you for your support.
Getting an Abortion Past 20 Weeks
Getting an Abortion Past 20 Weeks
After 20 weeks from someone’s last menstrual period (LMP), access to abortion can get logistically more challenging. Later in pregnancy the cost of care goes up, the number of providers goes down, and more restrictions go into effect. Before Roe was overturned, 1 in 10 people traveled for abortion care, now that number has doubled to 1 in 5 people. We know this can feel overwhelming, but this guide will break down each step including how to get financial, logistical and emotional support. You aren’t alone in this.
Our Advanced Search can filter abortion providers that go beyond 20 weeks:
Step 1:
Calculate how many weeks you are here. If you’re unsure, check out our blog How to Calculate How Many Weeks Pregnant You Are.
Step 2:
Make an appointment at the clinic. Use our search feature to find the nearest clinics based on how many weeks pregnant you are.
Step 3:
Ask the clinic to connect you to support for paying for the procedure and travel and or reach out to the organizations who can help (see below).
You need to book an appointment in order to receive support from abortion funds. You do not need to know how you’re going to pay for the procedure or how you’re going to get there when you book your appointment.
Step 4:
Prepare for your trip and review our travel checklist!
Who can help me get to or pay for my abortion appointment after 20 weeks?
The Brigid Alliance helps anyone who is 15 weeks pregnant or more with the travel costs, food, lodging, child care and/or other logistical parts of accessing abortion care (this is also known as “practical support”). First make an appointment with one of their partner clinics. Ask your clinic to make a referral to the Brigid Alliance on your behalf. One of their coordinators will contact you for a confidential conversation within 24-48 hours.
Additionally, there are two national organizations that may cover a portion of the procedure depending on which clinic your appointment is at:
Additional support organizations that specialize in helping people later in pregnancy:
Appointment Destination
:California
Abortion Fund
:Access Reproductive Justice for travel support and procedure funding.
How to Contact
:Call (800) 376-4636, or text (510) 925-0335 or fill out this intake form.
Appointment Destination
:Colorado
Abortion Fund
:Cobalt Abortion Fund for travel support and procedure funding.
How to Contact
:Fill out this intake form.
Appointment Destination
:Illinois
Abortion Fund
:Chicago Abortion Fund for travel support and procedure funding.
Midwest Access Coalition for travel support.
How to Contact
:Fill out this intake form for Chicago Abortion Fund
Call or text (847) 750-6224 for Midwest Access Coalition.
Appointment Destination
:New Jersey
Abortion Fund
:New Jersey Abortion Access Fund for procedure funding
New Jersey Practical Support for Northern NJ travel
Appointment Destination
:New Mexico
Abortion Fund
:Faith Roots Reproductive Action for travel support.
How to Contact
:Fill out this intake form.
Appointment Destination
:New York
Abortion Fund
:New York Access Abortion Fund for procedure funding.
How to Contact
:Call (212) 252-4757
Appointment Destination
:Washington D.C. area
Abortion Fund
:DC Abortion Fund for procedure funding. If you need travel support, they can contact DAPSN on your behalf.
How to Contact
:Call (202) 452-7464 or fill out their intake form.
Appointment Destination
:Washington state
Abortion Fund
:Northwest Abortion Access Fund for travel support and procedure funding.
How to Contact
:Call (866) 692-2310 or fill out this intake form.
Use our Advanced Search to filter by type of support needed. Check to see if there are organizations who can help in your home state as well as the state where your appointment is.
What are the reasons people get abortions past 20 weeks?
If you’d like to hear about other people’s experiences who had abortions past 20 weeks check out our stories.
People seek abortion later in pregnancy for the same initial reasons they do earlier in pregnancy. However, not everyone is able to get care as soon as they would like. Some people receive important new information later in their pregnancy, like the health of their pregnancy, a fetal indication, or most commonly, that they are pregnant. Later recognition of pregnancy is common, especially for young people and other marginalized groups.
Others experience delays due to circumstances like abortion bans, gestational limits and parental involvement laws. These laws frequently force people to travel hundreds of miles out of state for care. Planning a trip quickly while requesting off work or school, finding childcare and paying for travel and procedure costs can further delay access to abortion services. Further into pregnancy, the cost of abortion care goes up, the number of providers goes down, and more and more restrictions go into effect.
Most people will experience both: they find out new information later in their pregnancy and then are delayed due to barriers.
Whatever your circumstances, all abortion seekers deserve care and support, not judgment.
To learn more about how abortion bans can delay care and why people discover pregnancy later, check out Who Not When.
How to Share Accurate Abortion Information on Your Campus
Abortion is a human right.
Accurate abortion information is critical and, unfortunately, often hard to find because of the stigma attached to abortion. This stigma, reinforced by restrictions on care and nonsensical laws, creates fear and judgment which can make people reluctant to seek out or share information about abortion. That fear and judgment can push people to avoid talking to their doctor or loved ones which just leads to more misinformation and isolation. And fake clinics (also known as “Crisis Pregnancy Centers” and “Anti Abortion Centers”) capitalize on that fear and uncertainty by luring people in with free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds and “options” counseling to deter or coerce them into parenting or adoption.
What’s even more infuriating is how state governments frequently spend millions of dollars on these fake clinics to discourage abortion without actually supporting the families they claim to care about. Adding fuel to the dumpster fire, fake clinics spend a large chunk of that state funding on Google ads so they appear at the top of search results, making it even harder for abortion seekers to find accurate and reliable information.
But, we reject that shame and stigma! The reality is 1 in 3 people who can get pregnant will have an abortion. Join us in screaming from the rooftops that:
- Abortions are common!
- Abortions are normal!
- People have multiple abortions!
- Any reason to have an abortion is a good reason!
- Abortion is safe!
- Abortion is healthcare!
Promoting trustworthy resources like I Need An A, which was created by people who had abortions for people needing abortions, is crucial in combating the spread of lies and shame. Use this resource to spread love and support on your campus and in your community because people still need abortions and they should know their options!
About I Need An A
I Need An A is the most comprehensive and updated resource for abortion seekers in the U.S. Started in 2016 by people who’ve had abortions. It provides personalized options based on location and how long the person has been pregnant. I Need An A is the only resource that shows people in restricted states their travel and pills by mail options side by side. To date, the website has served more than 1 million unique users!
How to Share I Need An A
On your social media
You can follow and repost our accounts on
Twitter // Instagram // Facebook // LinkedIn // TikTok
You can find all of our graphics to share here.
On your sorority or student group website
Include links on your sorority or student group’s website to ineedana.com!
With posters
Download our printable poster with a QR code directly to ineedana.com.
**Check with your administration on where you can hang posters + stickers. Some campuses have banned attaching posters on school property (like in Florida and Texas) except with a specific permit.
Some places to hang them:
- Dorm room
- Dorm hallway or common areas
- University Health Center (in the center or on their website)
- Cafeteria
- Library
- Bulletin boards in building hallways
- Student center
- Talk to your professors + admin to have them share / post
With stickers
Purchase stickers and other merch here.
Host an event to talk about and fundraise for abortion
Fundraising for ineedana and your local fund!
If you do this! Let us know at team@ineedana.com - we’d love to send you swag and even attend if possible.
Need to Know: Abortion and Surveillance
A note from our friends at Euki.
In places hostile to abortion rights, digital or in-person surveillance can be used to criminalize or harass people seeking abortion care. In some places, it can even be used to criminalize people who help others seeking abortion care.
Check state abortion laws | Get legal support
Sharing information about abortion is important - so don’t panic! We can help keep each other safe - online and offline- by choosing what information is shared, how, with whom.
Here are four easy privacy-protecting habits to find and share abortion-related information online (plus free tools we trust):
- Connecting to the internet: Download and use encrypted, no-log VPNs to access the internet on any device whenever possible. This includes campus wi-fi, since your activity may be visible to the Internet Service Provider, network admins from your institution, or even hackers. (ProtonVPN or Tunnelbear)
- Searching for information: Use privacy-respecting browsers, tools, and websites that don’t store user activity (browsers: Brave, Firefox ,Tor; tool: Euki; website: ineedana)
- Sharing information: Choose end-to-end encrypted (E2EE) tools with features like password protection and automatic data deletion/expiration when sharing information or collaborating (documents: CryptPad, email: ProtonMail, messaging: Signal)
- Tracking health information: Choose tools that do not collect user health data (Drip, Euki)
And, remember: privacy and bodily autonomy are human rights - for all of us.
Learn more about Euki’s work to protect both, or download the app (iOS | Android).
For more information on digital privacy check out https://www.ineedana.com/privacy.
Abortion Ballot Data Tracker
Explore I Need An A + share specific articles
Explore I Need An A + share specific articles
Description
:For a personalized search based on closest abortion options:
:
Description
:Find abortion funds and practical support organizations:
:
Description
:Up to date legal status of abortion in all 50 states:
:
Description
:Helps teens understand all of their abortion options:
:
Description
:Explore the pre/post care providers who offer services in highly restricted states before or after getting an abortion. Every provider on this list is either a former abortion provider or has been referred by an abortion provider.
:
Description
:Blog: Abortion Travel Checklist
:
Description
:Blog: Deciding to travel for an abortion
:
Description
:Blog: How to Calculate How Many Weeks Pregnant You Are
:
Get connected to other campus organizers + campaigns
Check out our friends at Advocates for Youth for ways to get involved.
Texas Universities
Visit Deeds Not Words to learn more.
Volunteer with I Need An A
Apply to volunteer with us virtually tinyurl.com/inaavolunteer
Questions + Feedback
Email us at team@ineedana.com
How to Calculate How Many Weeks Pregnant You Are
Tl;dr
Pregnancy is calculated based on the first day of your last period. You can have just become pregnant and be considered 2+ weeks pregnant. It’s pretty weird actually so let’s dive in to explain this better!
Using the date of the first day of your last period (also referred to as LMP), you can calculate the number of weeks you are pregnant. Just count the weeks from your LMP to today.
You might not know when this date was exactly, and that’s okay! You don’t always need to know exactly how many weeks pregnant you are in order to get an abortion.
When does being certain of the number of weeks matter for an abortion?
- If you’re trying to decide between pills or an in-clinic procedure. Clinics will only offer pills to folks 10 - 12 weeks pregnant or less.
- When you’re potentially close to a cut off for services (like 12, 15 or 22 weeks), either because of the provider or state laws (when you enter the first day of your last period our practicality sort will automatically filter out clinics you aren’t eligible for based on your estimated gestational duration).
- If you’re going to travel a long distance to get an abortion - we hear stories regularly of folks flying across the country and then being too pregnant to get an abortion at the clinic they traveled to.
So, how do I calculate how long I've been pregnant?
Sometimes it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly how many weeks pregnant you are but, there are two ways to figure it out:
The most common and typically easiest to track is from the last menstrual period (LMP).
The first day of the LMP is considered day 1 of the pregnancy. We say “easiest” to track because a lot of people have regular periods or track their cycles. However, not everyone has a 28-day cycle, cycles can vary in length and not everyone tracks their period!
So, in other words, pinpointing the exact day of conception can be challenging, which is why the first day of the last menstrual period (LMP) is used as a standard reference for dating pregnancy.
An ultrasound is the most accurate form of pregnancy dating.
And the longer you’ve been pregnant, the more helpful an ultrasound may be. Sometimes, the ultrasound and the LMP dating can be completely different. This happens because pregnancy development happens at different paces for everyone. The most accurate time to determine the length of pregnancy with an ultrasound is in the first trimester when the pregnancy is small. The larger the fetus, the harder it can be to get an exact date because of different growth rates.
Find ultrasound providers near you
If you need an ultrasound and are in a state with abortion restrictions, here are some trusted providers that can help you.
Still with us? There’s one more thing to explain: pregnancy dating starts from your last menstrual period but conception happens 2 weeks later (again, this is another arbitrary average). So the doctor may tell you are 12 weeks pregnant but you had sex 10 weeks ago. That means your pregnancy is 100% textbook - conceived 10 weeks ago and 12 weeks pregnant are the same thing. The first day of your last period was “medically” when the pregnancy began but conception happened 2 weeks later to account for the time before ovulation and conception.
So, to recap...
The ultrasound is the most accurate form of pregnancy dating, but if you can’t get one, you’ll have a good estimate by going from the first day of your last period. And if you aren’t sure when that was, try to remember when you had sex that could have resulted in a pregnancy and add 2 weeks!
Why is this so weird?!?!
So many reasons but mainly because everyone’s body is different, menstrual cycles can be irregular and the window of fertilization varies. Basically, measuring pregnancy isn’t an exact science and a lot of it is arbitrary.
Let’s go back to how doctors currently measure the length of pregnancy. This method, known as "Naegele's Rule," was introduced by German obstetrician Franz Naegele (1778 to 1851). Thanks to Naegele, an "average" pregnancy lasts 40 weeks or 280 days. To estimate the due date, Naegele's Rule adds 280 days to the first day of the person's last menstrual period (LMP). Human pregnancies vary a lot, and factors like the pregnant person’s age, genetics, nutrition, and length of the menstrual cycle can impact the actual length of being pregnant. Unfortunately, Naegele’s Rule doesn’t account for any of these unique factors.
To determine the gestational duration, medical professionals take averages of measurements, like the size of the fetus and development stages, based on the assumed 40-week timeline. These measurements help determine the estimated duration of gestation, but they still rely on the assumption of a standardized 40-week pregnancy, which doesn’t accurately reflect the factors that can affect pregnancy development.
And to really blow your mind, the concept of trimesters are also made up — basically, it was more convenient for doctors to divide the 40 weeks by 3. But there is hope that as science and technology advances researchers and doctors can find other ways to differentiate the stages of pregnancy to accurately reflect these variations in development.
Naegle’s Rule and these arbitrary measurements for development not only shape medical practices but are also used against abortion seekers in legislation and abortion restrictions. Why is there a 6 week ban abortion? Or a 15 week ban on abortion? Like the idea of trimesters, it’s all made up.
What’s more, these restrictions ignore the complexities and individual circumstances of pregnancies, which forces pregnant people to carry pregnancies to term against their will or before they even realize they are pregnant. The enforcement of such bans ignores the expertise of medical professionals and undermines the doctor-patient relationship, replacing it with political agendas.
The reality is that gestational limitations on abortion harm pregnant people.
You can help protect abortion on the federal level by going to Abortion Justice Now.
Have questions? Contact the M+A Hotline at (833) 246-2632 to speak to a physician.
How to get a free abortion in New York
How to get a free abortion in New York
Abortion is legal in New York, and over the years, the state has made significant strides to make it increasingly accessible to its most marginalized residents, as well as to the growing number of people traveling here for care. However, much work remains for New York to fully live up to its claim of being an access state and abortion safe haven. This article does not intend to minimize the persistent barriers—financial, logistical, and cultural—that many still face when trying to access care in New York. Instead, its purpose is to highlight the resources that exist to navigate those barriers and to ensure people are informed about them, so they can access the care they need and deserve.
Private + Public Insurance
New York requires that both state regulated public and private health insurance cover abortion care without a deductible or copay. So, if you live in the state of New York and your insurance is regulated by New York state, it’s most likely your insurance is required to pay for your abortion.
However, if you have insurance through your employer or a family member but the insurance is regulated from another state, the insurance may not cover abortion services. If you’re unsure, call your insurance company and ask about coverage for abortion services.
Unfortunately, if you have health insurance through the federal government abortion will not be covered. This includes federal employees and their dependents, Peace Corps volunteers, Native Americans, and people in federal prisons and detention centers including those detained for immigration purposes. It’s always best to call and confirm with your insurance provider as to what’s covered under your plan.
It’s important to add that not all clinics accept every type of insurance. When you make the appointment, ask the clinic if they accept your specific insurance and if they don’t, consider finding another clinic. Use Ineedana.com/search to find other nearby clinics.
If your insurance doesn’t cover abortion or if the clinic doesn’t accept your insurance and you aren’t able to go to another clinic, call the New York Abortion Access Fund at (212) 252-4757 or email them at intake@nyaaf.org.
Medicaid in New York
Medicaid in New York covers the full cost of abortion care.
If you do not have insurance and you are a New York State resident, you may qualify for Medicaid. You can be eligible for Medicaid regardless of citizenship or immigration status, people who are undocumented can still qualify for Medicaid.
Visit https://nystateofhealth.ny.gov/ or call 1-855-355-5777 to get enrolled.
The enrollment process will take between 30 to 60 minutes, and if you are approved, you will be able to use your Medicaid to cover the entire cost of an abortion within 48 hours of signing up. Some clinics can enroll you in medicaid the day of your appointment so you don’t have to pay. If you think you’re medicaid eligible, ask the clinic!
Eligibility for NY Medicaid is based on your household size and income level. As a pregnant person, medicaid counts an additional person in your household. So for example, if you have 3 people in your household (you, a partner and a child) you can add one more to your household with the pregnancy.
New York Medicaid Eligibility Chart
*”Pregnant women” is the language used by the state of New York and we know not all pregnant people identify as women.
Some clinics may not accept all types of Medicaid or have Medicaid cover abortion services after certain gestations, so be sure to ask the clinic. If the clinic does not accept Medicaid consider finding another clinic.
If you're having problems finding a clinic that takes Medicaid, call the New York Abortion Access Fund (NYAAF) at (212) 252-4757. They can help you explore all of your options and resources, and provide financial assistance if the clinic doesn't accept Medicaid and you can't go to another clinic.
Medication Abortion in New York City
If you are seeking a medication abortion in New York City and are under 10 weeks pregnant, NYC Sexual Health Clinics are a great option. Free or low-cost medication abortions (abortion pills) are available at three of the NYC Sexual Health Clinic sites. You do not need to be a New York state resident to receive care, so even people traveling from out of state or country can get free medication abortions. There are also no age requirements either!
Call 347-396-7959 for clinic appointments. Walk-ins are also accepted until 2 p.m.
Note: The clinic may close early once capacity is reached.
Name of Clinic
:Central Harlem Sexual Health Clinic
Address
:2238 Fifth Avenue, First Floor, Manhattan
Hours of Operation
:Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Name of Clinic
:Jamaica Sexual Health Clinic
Address
:90-37 Parsons Blvd, primer piso, Queens
Hours of Operation
:Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Name of Clinic
:Morrisania Sexual Health Clinic
Address
:1309 Fulton Avenue, Second Floor, Bronx
Hours of Operation
:Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Minors
New York does not require parental consent or notification. Which means you can consent to abortion on your own! This is a great option for teens traveling from restricted states.
If you are a minor, a New York resident, and have health insurance through your parent or guardian but prefer to keep your abortion private, you can apply for Medicaid. Even if you already have insurance under your parent's plan, you are eligible to apply for Children’s Medicaid.
If you’re using your parent’s insurance, the insurance company may send information about the care you received (bills and lab results). And if you’re using Medicaid and don’t want to list your parents address, consider an alternative address.
Medication Abortion by Telehealth
If you plan to have the medication abortion, you can receive the pills by mail from various independent telehealth providers. On average, getting a medication abortion through a telehealth provider costs much less than getting an abortion in a clinic.
The New York Abortion Access Fund partners with Juniper Midwifery and Pills By Post. to offer sliding scale and free services. They will ship the pills within a few days to anywhere in New York state. Reach out to Juniper Midwifery or Pills by Post directly for financial assistance.
The hospital system of New York City also has a telehealth option. Visit Virtual ExpressCare to call 718-360-8981. Support is available in over 200 languages. You must be physically in New York to receive the pills by mail and at least 15 years old.
For more medication abortion options by mail visit https://www.plancpills.org/abortion-pill/new-york .
Additional support
The New York Abortion Access Fund (NYAAF) supports anyone who is unable to pay fully for an abortion and is living in or traveling to New York State by providing financial assistance and connections to other resources.
If you are living in or traveling to New York State and are seeking funding for your abortion, please call (212) 252-4757 and leave a detailed message. You can also email NYAAF at intake@nyaaf.org .
This article was developed in partnership with the New York Abortion Access Fund. The I Need An A Team also received feedback from other New York state based organizations to create this article. If you know of a provider that should be added to this list or have feedback suggestions for this article, please email team@ineedana.com.
Abortion is on the Ballot
Where is abortion on the ballot this year?
As expert trackers of all things abortion related, we closely monitored the approved and pending abortion related ballot measures across the United States.
7 out of 10 measures to protect abortion access passed.
We'll continue to update this tool as changes occur. Want to put this info on your site? We're building this so you can easily copy and paste this map anywhere *and* have it automatically update when things change.
Here's the code snippet:
<iframe id="inaa-embed" src="https://ineedana.com/embed/ballot-measures-map" title="2024 Abortion Ballot Measures" width="100%" height="1500px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" onLoad="(function () { window.addEventListener('message', function (event) { if ( !event || !event.origin || !event.origin.startsWith('https://ineedana.com') || !event.data || typeof event.data.frameHeight !== 'number' ) { return } const iframeHeight = event.data.frameHeight const modifiedHeight = iframeHeight + 40 this.height = modifiedHeight }) })()"></iframe>
Have questions about how to embed on your site? Find a bug? Let us know at team@ineedana.com!
Release Notes #4
How to decide what kind of abortion is right for you?
This is a question we hear from people who need abortions quite a bit! No matter what state you're in, you have options and it can sometimes be a lot to compare them.
To help, we've updated our Abortion Types page! There's more information on the difference between in-clinic procedures and abortion pills. We also break down the differences between getting pills from a physical clinic or via the mail.
Do you have feedback on this article or suggestions for new content we should create? Give us a ping at team@ineedana.com 💜
What do abortion pills cost online?
What's the price for abortion pills by mail?
The average cost for abortion pills online is $150, but many providers offer sliding scale pricing for people who can't afford it. Abuzz and Aid Access, for example, offer a sliding scale that starts at $150, but can go as low as $0.
If you're in a state where abortion has been restricted or banned, community networks like Las Libres and AccessMA mail abortion pills (sometimes called Plan C) for free, though these services may come with legal risk.
In states where abortion pills by mail are permitted, Abortion Freedom Fund offers financial assistance.
If you have private insurance, it's possible it may cover a medication abortion via a provider like Hey Jane.
You deserve to get the best abortion for you, be that by mail or in a clinic. Whatever type of abortion is right for you, there are people ready to help. You can find them and all of your options using I Need An A's search 💜