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Abortion. Safe + legal for all in New York City

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Abortion

Go to: Legal Status of Abortion | Find a Provider | Payment and Financial Resources | Access for Immigrants | Protect Your Health Privacy | Avoid Fake Clinics | Options Counseling | Types of Abortion

New York Abortion Access Hub

The New York Abortion Access Hub provides confidential help finding an abortion provider in New York, scheduling an appointment, getting financial assistance, and finding transportation and lodging. This help is available regardless of age or immigration status. You do not need to live in New York to contact the Abortion Access Hub or receive a referral.

  • Phone: 877-NY2-AHUB (877-692-2482)
  • Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The Hub does not collect or record any of your identifying information.

What To Expect

When you contact the Abortion Access Hub, you will be connected to a staff member who will ask you simple questions to assess how far along your pregnancy is, what type of abortion service you prefer, where you are seeking services, and when.

When you call, you will also be asked if you have health insurance, and if you need financial assistance or help finding lodging and transportation. The Hub can make an appointment for you. Interpretation services are available in more than 250 languages.

When you use the live chat, you will be asked if you have health insurance. Based on your responses, you will be given a list of providers to call so that you can make your own appointment. Chat is only available in English and Spanish.


Legal Status of Abortion

Abortion is a safe, common healthcare service to end a pregnancy. In the U.S., 1 in 4 women will have an abortion by the age of 45. Some states have more restrictive abortion laws, so access to abortion care depends on what state you are in.

Under New York State law anyone can get an abortion for any reason up to 24 weeks of pregnancy, or later if their health or pregnancy is at risk. Some other states can also provide abortion services later in a pregnancy for any reason. If you need an abortion and are uncertain about how far along in the pregnancy you might be, you may call or visit an abortion provider to determine if you are eligible.

In New York State, people seeking, receiving and administering abortion care are protected by laws and policy. Read more about laws strengthening abortion access.

You can get an abortion regardless of your age, gender identity, and immigration status, even if you do not have insurance.

If you are a teenager, you can get sexual health services, including abortion care, at a clinic without your parents' or guardians' permission or knowledge.

You have a right to receive abortion care or other medical care in your preferred language, including the use of interpretation services.

Any person who can get pregnant — including transgender men, nonbinary people, and people of any gender who have a uterus — can have an abortion.

The decision to have an abortion is a personal one. No one should pressure you to have or not have an abortion.

In New York, you have the right to access sexual and reproductive healthcare, including abortion. You have these rights while you are in New York, no matter where you live.


Find a Provider

You can get an abortion at many health centers in New York.

To find abortion providers:

  • Call the New York Abortion Access Hub at 877-NY2-AHUB (877-692-2482) or reach out via live chat by clicking the "Chat With Us" button on this page for abortion services in New York
  • Visit the National Abortion Federation, INeedanA.com or Abortion Finder for abortion services throughout the U.S.

If you are looking for abortion services in other states after 24 weeks, visit the Later Abortion Initiative.


Payment and Financial Resources

Whether you have health insurance or not, there are options to help you pay for abortion services.

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Health Insurance

New York Medicaid covers abortion care. If you are a New York State resident and have Medicaid, you can go to any medical provider that accepts Medicaid and offers the services you need. If you have other types of health insurance, contact your health insurer to find out what your plan covers, whether a prior authorization is needed or if there are specific providers your plan covers.

If you plan to travel from another state to New York for abortion care and have insurance including Medicaid, contact your plan to see if they will cover out-of-network services and travel expenses. If they do not, you can find financial support below.

The New York Abortion Access Hub (877-NY2-AHUB / 877-692-2482) may also be able to connect you to an abortion provider in New York that accepts your insurance or offers financial help.

No Insurance

If you are pregnant and live in New York, you may have health insurance options. New York State Medicaid will pay for the care you receive while pregnant, including abortion care. Pregnant New Yorkers can qualify for Medicaid at higher income levels and regardless of immigration status. To learn more or get connected to an enrollment counselor to schedule an in-person or phone appointment, visit the Health Insurance page, text “CoveredNYC” (“SeguroNYC” in Spanish) to 55676, or fill out the Health Insurance Enrollment Assistance Inquiry form.

Some clinics can check if you qualify for Medicaid at the time of your appointment, and if you do qualify, they may be able to enroll you, with coverage starting the same day. Before your appointment, ask the clinic if they are a Medicaid enrollment site. Be sure to ask if they require a photo ID or other documents. The New York Abortion Access Hub can also connect you to an abortion provider that can enroll you in Medicaid if you live in New York.

Help with Paying for Abortion

If you do not qualify for insurance, your insurance does not cover abortion services. or your insurance has high out-of-pocket costs, contact the organizations below. You do not need to be a New York resident to use these resources:

These organizations will not ask about your immigration status.

For help with travel or lodging costs, you can connect with practical support organizations. These organizations generally require that you have an appointment to receive care at one of their partner clinics.

  • Brigid Alliance provides help with travel, food, lodging, child care and other logistical support. Brigid prioritizes clients beyond 15 weeks of pregnancy.

The New York Abortion Access Hub can connect you to an abortion provider in New York that can help you identify funds and practical support for your abortion care.


Access for Immigrants

In New York state, you can receive abortion care regardless of your immigration status, even if you do not have insurance. Getting an abortion in New York will not affect your immigration status. Immigrants can travel state to state for health services, including abortion. However, border patrol checkpoints require lawful status to pass through.

Pregnant noncitizens who live in New York are eligible for Medicaid regardless of immigration status if they meet income requirements.

Abortion funds can help pay for abortions even if you do not have insurance, and they do not ask for immigration status.

Hospitals and other medical facilities are considered protected areas where immigration enforcement officials do not engage in enforcement activities, except in very limited circumstances.


Protect Your Health Privacy

Federal privacy protections may apply to your health information. HIPAA (the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) prohibits covered healthcare providers, and many other healthcare-related entities, from sharing your health information without your consent. HIPAA generally does not apply to information you enter directly into a personal health or period-tracking app.

If you believe that a company or organization is violating your health privacy rights, you can file a complaint online.


Avoid Fake Clinics

There are anti-abortion facilities — sometimes called "crisis pregnancy centers" or "pregnancy resource centers" — that try to stop people from getting abortions.

Fake clinics that try to stop people from getting abortions will often show up in results of online searches for "abortion clinic" or "abortion pill." Use the resources on this page to avoid those places and find an abortion provider who respects your right to seek abortion services.

These fake clinics often:

  • Imitate health clinics by using names, banners, and signs that are similar to real clinics
  • Are located near health clinics that provide abortions
  • Are funded by organizations that are opposed to abortion
  • Provide false information about abortion to pregnant people
  • Try to mislead people about how many weeks they have been pregnant
  • Claim to offer free counseling, pregnancy tests and ultrasounds

Fake clinics may offer low-cost resources, such as pregnancy tests, ultrasounds or baby clothes, but they do not provide abortions. Also, they rarely offer any other medical care. Since they are not licensed healthcare providers, these facilities are not required by law to keep your personal information private.

New York City law requires these facilities to post a sign in English and Spanish that states they do not have a medical provider on site and do not provide abortion care. If you encounter a fake clinic without this sign posted in English and Spanish, you can file a complaint online or by calling 311.

Learn more about fake clinics in New York:


Options Counseling

If you are pregnant and unsure what to do or how to feel, you have options and can seek support as you make decisions. Free, non-judgmental counseling options include:

  • All Options offers judgement-free counseling and guidance to help you make the right decisions for yourself.
  • 988 provides mental health support, if making these decisions causes stress.

Types of Abortions

There are two types of abortions — medication and procedural.

Your provider may recommend a certain abortion type based on your preference, your medical history and the number of weeks since your last menstrual period.

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Medication

This option involves taking two medicines — mifepristone and misoprostol.

  • Process: You take mifepristone on the first day and misoprostol on the second day. The pills on the second day cause cramping and vaginal bleeding, similar to a heavy period.
  • Timing: You can take abortion pills up to 11 weeks of pregnancy, but the earlier you take them the more effective they are.
  • Effectiveness: This method is 91% to 98% effective at ending a pregnancy.
  • Side effects: These are usually mild and last between a couple of days and two weeks. They can include cramping, spot bleeding and nausea/vomiting. If you are having more severe side effects, call your medical provider immediately.

Oral Medicine by Mail

Ask your provider if they offer telehealth and can mail the abortion medication to you.

Learn how to use abortion pills at the Miscarriage and Abortion Hotline (M+A Hotline).

Procedural

This option, also called “in-clinic abortion”, is an outpatient procedure, which means you can go home after it is over.

  • Process: The specific procedure used is based on how long you have been pregnant. The most common type involves widening the cervix and using gentle suction to remove pregnancy tissue. You may experience some cramping. This procedure is quick and usually takes less than 10 minutes, but you should expect to spend several hours at the clinic. If the pregnancy is more than 16 weeks, the procedure may take place over two consecutive days.
  • Timing: Depending on the specific procedure, you can receive a procedural abortion from five weeks since your last period.
  • Effectiveness: This method is more than 99% effective at ending a pregnancy.
  • Side effects: These are usually mild and last up to two weeks. They may include cramping, bleeding, spot bleeding and vaginal discharge. If you are having more severe side effects, call your provider immediately.

Additional Resources

More Information