
Know your options
Abortion is very common. It's also safe and legal in Pennsylvania. Read on to learn about your options and how it works.
Made up your mind?
Find a Health Center near you to schedule your appointment for an abortion consultation or call 1-800-230-PLAN.
We offer two options for abortion
- Medication abortion, sometimes known as abortion pills, is available up to 11 weeks after your last period
- In-clinic abortion offered up to 15 weeks and 6 days after your last period
Both medication abortion and in-clinic abortion are safe and effective ways of ending a pregnancy.
If your last period was more than 15 weeks and 6 days ago, we can provide a list of healthcare providers in your area that offer other abortion services. To request this list, please call 1-800-230-PLAN
Medication abortion
- About $625
- This is an option up to 11 weeks and 0 days after your last period
In-clinic abortion
- Before 12 weeks - $625
- After 12 weeks, and before 13 weeks and 6 days - $675
- After 14 weeks, and before 15 weeks and 6 days - $775
Insurance
We do accept insurance and it's possible that your insurance could cover all of some of your abortion. You can call us for more information 1-800-230-PLAN
Financial Assistance
We have an in-house abortion fund that provides financial assistance for those who can't pay for their abortion.
To talk to someone about getting help to pay for your abortion, please call 1-800-230-PLAN
Due to the Pennsylvania Abortion Control Act, there are restrictions on abortion in the state of Pennsylvania. These include:
- A person must receive state-mandated counseling that includes information designed to discourage them from having an abortion. After this counseling, there is a required waiting period of 24 hours, before the abortion procedure or abortion medications can be provided.
- Health plans offered in the state’s health exchange under the Affordable Care Act can only cover abortion if the patient's life is endangered, or in cases of rape or incest, unless an optional rider is purchased at an additional cost.
- Abortion is covered in insurance policies for public employees only in cases of life endangerment, rape or incest.
- Anyone under the age of 18 must get their parent's permission to have an abortion. If you are under 18 and can not get permission from your parent, you can request a judge to provide permission for you. This is called "judicial bypass" and you can find out more about it by clicking the tile labeled "Information for Minors" on this page.
- Government funding (like Medicaid) is available for abortion only in cases of life endangerment, rape or incest.
- An abortion may be performed at 24 or more weeks after the woman’s last menstrual period only if the patient’s life or health is endangered.
In Pennsylvania, abortion is legal for people of all ages, but for anyone under the age of 18, the permission of a parent or legal guardian is required.
If you can't get permission from your parent or guardian, you can meet privately with a judge to ask for their permission without letting your parent or guardian know. This process is called "judicial bypass" and you can find the steps below or get detailed steps and information by downloading this guide as a PDF.
- set up an abortion counseling appointment (this is required by the state of Pennsylvania). You can do this by calling Planned Parenthood at 1-800-230-7526, or by scheduling an appointment for abortion counseling on our website.
- call a lawyer to help you with the process (you have the right to a free lawyer appointed by the court to help you get the judge's approval for your abortion. If you can't find a lawyer who will help you, call the Women's Law Project at 412-281-2892
- Fill out an application form for permission to have an abortion. The court can provide this form for you
To learn what to prepare for your abortion appointment, download this information sheet.
If you haven't scheduled your consultation yet, you'll want to do that before you do anything else. Doctors in Pennsylvania can not provide abortion medications or an abortion procedure if you have not attended this abortion consultation information session.
Pennsylvania requires anyone who has an abortion to attend an information session at least 24 hours before having an abortion. A doctor can not perform an abortion procedure or provide abortion medications to you if you have not attended this information session.
You can schedule this abortion consultation information session on our website or by calling 1-800-230-7526.
After the abortion consultation information session, our staff will help you schedule your abortion appointment.
Making a decision about your pregnancy is very personal, and only you can decide what’s best for you. We’re here to help answer whatever questions you may have, and make sure you get the care you need without judgment or coercion.
After a person finds out they are pregnant, they have a few options to choose from when deciding what to do. These options are to:
- continue the pregnancy and
- raise the child
- find a relative to raise the child
- place the child for adoption or in temporary foster care
2. have an abortion
If you are pregnant and need help deciding what to do, you can talk to a pregnancy counselor at CHOICE by calling 1-800-848-3367. They can help you think about your decision and help you find good medical care and other support services. Whether you decide to continue your pregnancy or end your pregnancy, it's very important to get medical as soon as possible.
If you decide to look online for more information, know that a good medical provider will give you:
-
medically accurate information
-
confidential, non-judgmental counseling about all your options
-
compassionate and competent medical care and follow-up
-
no pressure tactics and no guilt trips
If you feel that you are being pressured to make a specific decision, don't be afraid to go somewhere else.
You can find a PDF version of the Pennsylvania Government's document titled Abortion: Making A Decision by clicking here.
Abortion FAQs
Lots of people lean on others to help them with their decision. It’s good to choose people who are understanding and supportive of you.
Your local Planned Parenthood health center has caring professionals that can answer any questions you may have. They'll give you expert care, accurate information about all your options, and non-judgmental support along the way — no matter what you decide about your pregnancy.
Sometimes, the decision is simple. Other times, it’s complicated. But either way, the decision to have an abortion is personal, and you’re the only one who can make it.
Planned Parenthood is here to provide the information you need so you can decide what’s best for you. If you choose to talk with someone at our health center, we can talk with you about all your options, whether that is to continue your pregnancy
Book an Appointment
Or call 1-800-230-7526