Abortion is a safe, common health care service to end a pregnancy. In the U.S., one in four women will have an abortion before the age of 45.
Abortion is legal in all 50 states. However, some states have different laws about how far along a pregnancy can be to have an abortion. In New York, you can get an abortion at up to 24 weeks of pregnancy. After 24 weeks, you can still get an abortion if your health is at risk or your pregnancy will not survive. Other places, such as Colorado and Washington, DC, can also provide abortion services after 24 weeks of pregnancy for any reason.
Any person who can get pregnant — including transgender men, non-binary people and people of any gender — 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.
You can get an abortion at many health centers in New York City. Before your appointment, research your clinic and provider carefully.
For help finding a provider who does abortions:
There are anti-abortion facilities — sometimes called crisis pregnancy centers or pregnancy resource centers — that try to stop people from getting abortions.
These fake clinics often:
Fake clinics do not provide abortions. Since they are not licensed health care 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, file a complaint online or by calling 311.
Learn more about fake clinics in NYC:
Health insurance, including Medicaid, may cover the cost of an abortion. If you are pregnant, you may have special health insurance options. Contact your health insurer to find out what your plan covers.
You may be eligible for New York State Medicaid to cover your abortion procedure. Pregnant New Yorkers can qualify for Medicaid at higher income levels. Find out whether you qualify for Medicaid, or call the NY State of Health Official Health Plan Marketplace at 855-355-5777 for more information.
Some medical offices can check if you qualify for Medicaid at the time of your appointment. If you qualify, they can also enroll you, with coverage starting that day. Before your appointment, ask your medical office if they are a Medicaid enrollment site. Be sure to ask if they require a photo ID or other documents.
As with any other medical procedure, an abortion can be expensive if you do not have insurance coverage.
If you need help paying for your appointment, visit:
If you need help with travel or lodging costs related to your appointment:
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.
Medication
This option, also called a medical abortion, involves taking two medicines — misoprostol and mifepristone.
Procedural
This option, also called “in-clinic abortion”, is an outpatient procedure, which means you can return home after it is over.