Will My Insurance Cover My Girlfriend’s Abortion Pill?

August 20, 2022

You didn’t see this coming. Pregnancy was not part of your plan for your life or that of your girlfriend. But now it has happened, and you’re looking for financially smart options for what comes next. 

Will insurance cover the cost of paying for an abortion pill? Probably not.

Health insurance usually only covers dependents who can prove you have a legal obligation to them. So your insurance likely will not cover any health-associated costs for your girlfriend—including the costs associated with abortion.

Additionally, now that abortion is illegal in the state of Kentucky, insurance companies cannot legally fund any abortion procedure.

How Much Does the Abortion Pill Cost?

So leaving the cost of an abortion to insurance is not an option. If you pay for the abortion pill out of pocket, you are looking at spending up to $750, but the average person spends around $535. Plus, you will need to save extra cash in case your girlfriend needs surgery or other post-abortion care if something goes wrong. 

You will also need to factor in the costs of other appointments associated with taking the pill. For example, an ultrasound is necessary before taking the abortion pill to confirm how far along the pregnancy is since the pill can only be taken in the first ten weeks of gestation. 

Also, no doctor can legally prescribe the abortion pill in Kentucky, and telemedicine appointments are also illegal. So you will need to travel out of state to see a doctor and get the abortion pill, which will also add an additional cost.

Where Can You Find Financial Assistance for Your Pregnant Girlfriend?

At ALC Pregnancy Resource Center, we offer free pregnancy testing and free ultrasounds. We can also connect you with other helpful resources to assist you in your pregnancy journey and help you both feel confident about your future.

The state of Kentucky also offers several programs to help, should you choose to continue the pregnancy and/or parent your child. In April 2022, the state worked to expand its benefits for pregnant women. Those include:

• Medicaid,  or Moms First Program, can help pay for medical bills associated with birth and prenatal care. Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services Secretary, Eric Friedlander, explains, “Medicaid probably covers over half of the births in Kentucky.”
• Public Health Prenatal Care Program for women who do not have Medicaid or Medicare. 
• Txt4Baby is a program in which pregnant women and new mothers receive important health information via text message. To sign up, simply text the word BABY to the number 511411. Receive messages in Spanish by texting BEBE to 511411.  
• WIC (the Women’s, Infants, and Children’s program) can provide diapers and food. 
• HANDS is a home visiting program for pregnant moms-to-be and new parents that supports all areas of your baby’s development. HANDS can answer all your questions during all stages of your baby’s growth.
• Kentucky Moms Program is for pregnant women and new moms who struggle with addiction. This program offers help and incentives to earn like free car seats etc.

What Next Steps Can You Take?

As the boyfriend, you have an important role to play in this unplanned pregnancy. Your girlfriend needs your support, listening ear, and encouragement. Even though it is something changing inside her body, you will have an impact on the decision for your baby.

It is important for you to do research and get all the information before you can make a confident decision with your girlfriend for the future. That starts by setting up an ultrasound and confirming the pregnancy at a clinic. As mentioned earlier, we offer those services for free. Please call us today to set up a confidential, no-pressure consultation. 

Disclaimer: Abortion laws in the state of Kentucky are in flux. All information contained in this blog was accurate at the time of publishing.