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Exploring the Expenses and Insurance Coverage
As someone working in the medical field, I am grateful every day that my focus is on providing care to people rather than dealing with the complexities of health insurance. Understanding the world of health insurance can be challenging and confusing, especially when you’re already grappling with the decision of having an abortion. To ease your concerns, we aim to address some common questions about the cost of abortion and its coverage by insurance, allowing you to concentrate on what truly matters.
Differentiating Between Private Insurance and State Insurance
In Ohio, state insurance is known as Ohio Medicaid. It extends coverage to various groups, including children, pregnant women, low-income adults, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. Those eligible for Medicaid receive coverage through government funding.
On the other hand, private insurance is typically provided by employers or can be purchased independently through the marketplace. Anthem, Humana, Cigna, and Aetna are just a few examples of the many private insurance companies available today.
It’s important to note that, in 2007, Ohio enacted legislation stating that no local or state funding can be used to pay for an abortion unless it involves cases of rape, incest, or imminent maternal risk. Consequently, state insurance cannot cover abortions in the event of an unexpected pregnancy. Additionally, state employees are also not permitted to utilize their insurance for abortion services.
Most private insurance plans do cover the cost of abortions in Ohio. To access coverage, be sure to provide proper identification and present your insurance cards when seeking abortion services.
Understanding Medicaid’s Role in Abortion Services
Although Medicaid benefits cannot directly offset the cost of an abortion procedure, they can be applied to preliminary testing, treatment, and additional services. Therefore, utilizing Medicaid can help reduce the overall expenses associated with your abortion appointment.
Electing Not to Use Health Insurance
Keep in mind that using health insurance for an abortion is not mandatory. Some women choose to pay for the services out of pocket to maintain their privacy and prevent the inclusion of abortion services on their family policy summary.
Exploring Out-of-Pocket Costs
In Ohio, the cost of an abortion can range from $550 to $1,100 on average. Abortion pills are usually on the lower end of this price spectrum. Surgical abortions start at around $550 or $600 and increase in cost as the gestational age progresses. The further along you are in your pregnancy, the more invasive the procedure may be, leading to higher associated costs. Other factors that can impact the price include the RH factor (RH negative women may require an additional Rhogam injection to prevent future pregnancy complications), body mass index (BMI), and the use of optional medications to manage pain and nausea.
Many clinics offer income-based pricing, which requires providing evidence of income and household size.
Contact 5 WS for More Information
If you have further questions about abortion and insurance coverage, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at 5 WS Women’s Center. Our knowledgeable staff is well-prepared to provide the answers you need. To learn more about abortion, schedule an appointment with 5 WS today!
This article was written by a registered nurse on our staff.
