If you’re wondering whether your insurance will pay for your girlfriend’s abortion, the answer is most likely no. Most insurance companies will only pay medical benefits for dependents, which would include children and a spouse—not a girlfriend. Furthermore, insurance companies aren’t legally required to pay for elective abortions.
This article will highlight the essentials you need to know about abortion and how you can help protect your girlfriend’s health.
How Much Does an Abortion Cost Without Insurance?
It’s important to know that abortion is illegal in Texas (except for certain exceptions), which means that your girlfriend would have to travel out of state to get an abortion. So, when considering the cost of abortion, you would also need to factor in the price of travel and the time off from work.
The price of the abortion procedure depends on the type of abortion and other factors, like the gestational age of the pregnancy. For example, the abortion pill (also known as a “medical abortion”) is cheaper than a surgical abortion, but it’s only FDA-approved if the pregnancy is 10 weeks gestation or under. And certain situations make a woman ineligible for the abortion drugs.
How Can My Girlfriend Protect Her Health?
Before seeking an abortion—or making any pregnancy decision—your girlfriend needs an ultrasound. This simple scan will protect her health by providing essential details about her pregnancy, including:
- Gestational age: If your girlfriend is considering traveling out of state for an abortion, she will need to know the pregnancy’s gestational age to determine what options are available.
- Pregnancy location: Rarely, a pregnancy will develop outside the uterus, which is a life-threatening emergency known as an ectopic pregnancy.
- Pregnancy viability: An ultrasound scan will look for signs of life, like a heartbeat. If she’s had a miscarriage, she will need medical follow-up to ensure she doesn’t have complications.
At Pregnancy Help Center Galveston, we offer free, limited ultrasounds and other pregnancy services and information—because we believe that your girlfriend deserves to have everything she needs to stay safe and make an informed decision.
If your girlfriend needs insurance or help with medical/living/material expenses, we also offer free community referrals. Contact us today to learn more. You two aren’t alone in this. We’re here for you.