Woke up this morning thinking about money stuff, same thing I do every month. Bills pile up quick these days. Anyway, got me remembering that whole abortion cost headache from last year. Figured I’d write down exactly how it went down, dollar by dollar.
First Panicked Phone Calls
Found out I was pregnant, totally unplanned. Freaked out immediately. Grabbed my phone, called the first clinic that popped up on my search. Lady on the phone sounded tired, asked if I had insurance. Told her yeah, but wasn’t sure what it covered. She goes, “Cash price for the procedure itself? Starts around $550.” My jaw hit the floor. That was just the beginning.
Called another place, a hospital this time. Different voice, same question about insurance. Gave them my details. Waited on hold forever. Guy comes back, says, “Your plan covers it, but your deductible is $1500. You gotta pay that first.” Felt like crying. That deductible meant I had to pay almost everything out of pocket anyway.
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Stuff They Made Me Pay Upfront:
- $125 – First consultation visit, before they even did anything.
- $85 – Bloodwork to check iron levels, said it was mandatory.
- $150 – Ultrasound fee at the clinic, another must-have.
Cash only, right then and there. No arguments. Handed over the cash like I was buying groceries. Felt kinda weird, honestly.
The Hospital Bills Rolled In Later
Thought the upfront costs were it? Ha. Wishful thinking. Got bills for weeks afterward:
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Surprise Charges in the Mail:
- $350 – Anesthesia bill from some dude I never even met during the procedure.
- $280 – Pathology fee? Apparently for checking the tissue after. Nobody told me.
- $400 – The “facility fee” from the hospital itself. Just for using the room!
Felt sick opening each envelope. Like getting kicked when I was already down. Tried calling the billing department. Got passed around for an hour. Everyone said the same thing: “Yep, that charge is correct.” Explained the insurance deductible mess again and again.
So How Much In The End?
Let’s add it up, it’s pretty brutal:
- Upfront at the clinic: $360 (Consult, blood, ultrasound)
- Actual procedure (cash price after deductible): $550
- Anesthesia bill: $350
- Pathology: $280
- Hospital room fee: $400
Total Damage: $1940.
Nearly two grand. Two thousand dollars, gone. Took me months to pay off. Picked up extra shifts. Said no to going out. Borrowed a little from my sister. Was it the actual medical care that cost that much? Doubt it. Felt like paying for all the paperwork, the hidden fees, the insurance loopholes, and the pure stress.
Looking back now? Still makes me mad. That money could’ve gone to so many other things. Rent, my car, anything. Learned the hard way that abortion is legal, but paying for it? That’s a whole different nightmare. Hope sharing this helps someone else brace for the financial hit.
