ANN ARBOR, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – In Michigan, the cost of a “medication abortion” – otherwise known as the abortion pill – comes with a price tag of $600 according to the Planned Parenthood of Michigan (PPMI) website.
The abortion “pill” involves a two-step process with medications taken one to two days apart to terminate a pregnancy. Planned Parenthood of Michigan (PPMI) explains that a medication abortion requires taking mifepristone first, followed by misoprostol within 48 hours. Both medications must be taken while the patient remains in Michigan.
Abortion prices now online.
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PPMI recently sent out an email telling their supporters that they can now find prices for abortions and other services their health centers offer on their website. In their email they boast, “We’ve proud of our work to break down barriers to sexual and reproductive health care. We also know that budgeting is a barrier for many patients – and so is finding the time to call and ask about the cost of various services due to work or privacy concerns, ultimately delaying patients in scheduling their appointments. That is why we’re excited to announce that prices are now listed on our website for most services offered at our health centers!”
Cash upfront.
So it’s not just an emotional toll that comes with the life-altering decision to abort one’s child; it’s a financial one, too – and the PPMI is working hard so that abortions can be accessed more easily including a special “book online” button that you can use as if you are paying for movie tickets or ordering new curtains on Amazon.
In addition to a pricing menu, PPMI also lists a few legal hoops women have to jump through before making an appointment for a medication abortion including showing a picture ID and bringing in parental consent (or judicial bypass) and a birth certificate presented if the patient is under 18-years- old. The pregnant female also have to watch an “informational” video before the appointment which they can view ahead of time at home.
Payment is expected at the time of service and if someone needs a two-day procedure, don’t even think about spacing out those payments. They want all the cash up front on day one.
For those who can’t afford the $600 price tag, PPMI points to a website to help with financial assistance. For others who are using insurance, they ask for their insurance information ahead of the appointment to verify what is covered.
Although the PPMI website lists the price of a medication abortion with the “pill” as $600, on the Ann Arbor website, the cost goes up the longer the patient waits to get the abortion. The price for a medication abortion during a gestation period that is 18 weeks to 19 weeks and six days is listed as costing $1,000. The cost for a medication abortion at a PPMI health center includes includes lab work, medication or sedation options, and follow up.
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The 15 PPMI health centers who perform the medication abortions accept cash, Visa, Master Card, Discover and money orders. They don’t accept personal checks or American Express.
The appointment includes the opportunity to ask questions and discuss birth control options – although, at this stage, discussing birth control options seems a bit like closing the barn door after the horse has exited.
$600 for a Pill: the price of “choice.”
According to Insurance Newsnet, a leading source for breaking news and expert insights in the insurance industry, the average cost of a medication abortion in the U.S. hovers around $600, putting Michigan’s pricing right in line with the rest of the country.
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