Will My Insurance Pay For My Girlfriend’s Abortion Pill?

If your girlfriend is unexpectedly pregnant, you might be thinking about your options and next steps. In most cases, your medical insurance only includes coverage for your girlfriend if you are legally married or in a domestic partnership. However, you may need to check with your specific insurance provider.

Coverage of abortion can be complex, depending on where you live. In New Jersey, following new legislation in 2022, state-regulated health coverage plans (and some private plans) include coverage for abortion care, including the abortion pill.

Healthcare insurance and what it covers can be confusing – but an insurance policy helps cover the medical expenses of the primary policyholder and their legal dependents. This coverage typically includes a spouse and/or children.

With most insurance plans, the primary policyholder must submit documentation to either the insurance company or the employer that sponsors the coverage. This documentation details the legal relationship to the dependent, such as a marriage, adoption, or childbirth. After this paperwork is submitted and approved, that individual is listed as a "dependent."

Often, after the birth of a child, insurance companies have a grace period during which the child is covered for a short time before the policyholder must submit a birth certificate to continue coverage.

Before your girlfriend considers her next steps, ensure you are putting her health and safety first by knowing all the facts. While the abortion pill may seem simple with just a couple of drugs, it is a serious medical procedure that isn't right for everyone.

For example, the FDA approved the drugs used in a medication abortion to terminate early pregnancies up to 10 weeks. Taking these drugs past the recommended point in pregnancy could put her at risk for an incomplete abortion or other complications.

Be prepared and informed about the potential physical risks of the abortion pill. The Mayo Clinic lists the following as potential physical risks:

• Incomplete abortion
• Heavy and prolonged bleeding
• Infection
• Fever
• Digestive system discomfort
• An ongoing pregnancy if the procedure doesn't work

It's also important to know that some women with certain medical complications or preexisting conditions should not take abortion drugs due to the risk of serious complications such as:

• You are too far along in your pregnancy
• Have an IUD
• Have an ectopic pregnancy
• Have certain medical conditions, including bleeding disorders; particular heart or blood vessel diseases; severe liver, kidney, or lung disease; or an uncontrolled seizure disorder.
• Taking blood thinners
• You can't visit your provider for a follow-up or don't have access to emergency care
• Have an allergy to the medications

The best way to prioritize your girlfriend's health and safety is to find out all the details about her pregnancy through an in-person ultrasound exam with a medical professional. This will answer critical questions such as how far along the pregnancy is and if other complications may be a concern.

There are many factors to consider when navigating a pregnancy decision – but you are not alone in this journey. If you want more abortion information, seek specialized advice from a medical professional. If you want to understand your options, reach out today to schedule a free appointment.

You deserve all the information you need to make an informed, confident choice, and because our services are free, you won't need insurance – schedule your free appointment today.