Telehealth abortion is a safe and effective way to end a pregnancy that doesn’t require an in-person visit to a clinic. Instead, you connect with a licensed clinician online, by phone, or through a secure form. If you’re eligible, the provider will send the medications — mifepristone and misoprostol — either through the mail or have you pick them up at a pharmacy or the clinic.

Most providers prescribe abortion pills through telehealth up to about 12 weeks of pregnancy, though some only 10 weeks while others will go up to 13. Each provider has their own protocol and gestational limits.

Search your options at ineedana.com to see which clinics offer telehealth care and what their gestational limits are.

How does telehealth abortion work?

1. Consultation

First, you complete an intake. Each telehealth provider has their own process — this could be an online form, phone call, or video visit with a licensed clinician. After that, they will review your medical history and let you know if you’re eligible. Most telehealth providers offer abortion pills up to about 12 weeks of pregnancy, though each provider has their own gestational limit and protocols. You can check the exact limit on ineedana.com, on the provider’s website, or when filling out their intake form.

As part of the intake, providers will ask the first day of your last period to estimate how many weeks pregnant you are. Most will also ask if you’ve had a positive pregnancy test, though some providers won’t ask or require it.

Your provider will explain:

• how and when to take the pills
• what to expect during the abortion
• possible side effects
• when to seek medical care

They should also explain how to contact them if you have questions during the process. Each provider works a little differently. Some offer a more self-guided experience if that’s what you prefer, while others give you the option to talk with a clinician by phone or message if you want to ask questions or get support.

2. Prescription

The clinician will then prescribe the abortion pills. Depending on the provider, you may:

• receive the pills by mail (usually within a week), or
• pick them up from a pharmacy or clinic

Some providers offer only one option, while others offer both.

3. Taking the medication

You’ll take the mifepristone first, followed by the misoprostol. Your provider will give instructions and may offer follow-up support if you have questions.

Want to learn more about what to expect? Learn more from our friends at the Miscarriage + Abortion Hotline.

4. Follow up if needed

Some providers ask you to confirm the abortion pills worked through a self-check, online form, or follow-up message.

If you’re unsure whether the pills worked or have questions afterward, you can learn more about how to know if the abortion pills worked.

Is telehealth abortion safe?

Yes! Research shows that telehealth abortion is very safe.

A large U.S. study of more than 6,000 telehealth abortions found that about 98% were completed successfully and 99.8% had no serious complications — which is similar to medication abortion care provided in person at a clinic.

If I’m in a restricted state, do I have to travel to another state to get a telehealth abortion?

Short answer - no.

You can travel, but you don’t have to. It is legal to travel to another state for abortion care, including telehealth services. But even in states where abortion or telehealth abortion is restricted, people are still receiving abortion pills by mail.

Some telehealth providers are located in states with shield laws, which protect clinicians who prescribe abortion pills to people in other states. These providers can legally prescribe and mail abortion pills to people in all 50 states.

Telehealth is just one way to receive abortion pills by mail. Even if you live in a state where abortion is banned or restricted, people access pills by mail in several ways:

• U.S.-licensed telehealth providers (including shield law providers)
• Community support networks
• Websites that sell abortion pills

Learn more about and compare these options here.

How much does telehealth abortion cost?

The cost of telehealth abortion varies depending on the provider. On average, they charge around $150 but most offer sliding scale pricing based on your income or allow you to pay what you can — don’t be afraid to ask!

​​Does Medicaid cover abortion in every state?

Not in every state. Some states allow Medicaid to cover abortion, while others only cover it in limited situations.

Even in states where Medicaid does cover abortion, telehealth services may not always be included. We recommend checking directly with your Medicaid plan or provider to understand what’s covered.

Here are the states where Medicaid covers abortion services, and which of those also allow telehealth for abortion:

West

• California
• Colorado
• Hawaii
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Mexico
• Oregon
• Washington

Midwest

• Illinois
• Minnesota

Northeast

• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• New Jersey
• New York
• Vermont

Need to talk to a doctor?

M+A Hotline has medical professionals available to talk by phone or text.

Want support while taking abortion pills?

Connect with trained peer counselors at Reprocare or Aya Contigo.

Worried about legal risks in a restricted state?

Repro Legal Helpline offers free and confidential legal services.