What Does an Abortion Cost in Ontario?

If you are searching this question, you are likely worried about cost. The first thing to know is this: for most people in Ontario, an abortion is free.

Whether you are considering a medical abortion (the abortion pill) or a surgical abortion, the cost depends mainly on whether you have OHIP coverage. The information below explains what is covered, what is not, and what options are available if you do not have OHIP.

This post is for general information. For details specific to your situation, please contact our clinic and we will talk you through it.

The Short Answer

• If you have a valid OHIP card, abortion care in Ontario is fully covered. You will not pay anything out of pocket for the procedure itself.

• If you do not have OHIP, there are still options. Many clinics, including ours, can discuss fees, payment plans, and assisted funding programs that help patients access care.

• If you are from another province, your home provincial health plan may reimburse some or all of the cost. Coverage varies, but reimbursement is often possible for you to access in your province once you’ve completed your procedure.

What OHIP Covers

OHIP covers abortion care as a medically necessary service. This includes:

• Surgical abortion at any gestational age the clinic is able to provide

• Medical abortion, including the cost of Mifegymiso (the medication used in medical abortion), through Ontario's drug formulary

• Pre-procedure assessment, including ultrasound and consultation

• Post-procedure follow-up

• Lab work if needed

If you have a valid Ontario health card, you do not pay anything for these services at a licensed clinic.

What If You Do Not Have OHIP?

Some people who need abortion care in Ontario do not have OHIP coverage. This includes:

• People who recently moved to Ontario and are still within the OHIP waiting period

• International students

• Temporary residents and visitors

• Refugees and refugee claimants

• Uninsured residents

If you fall into one of these categories, please do not let cost stop you from calling a clinic. Several options may apply to your situation:

Private insurance. Many international student plans, employer plans, and travel insurance plans cover abortion care. It is worth checking your plan or calling your insurance provider.

The Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP). Refugees and refugee claimants in Canada may be partially covered under the IFHP, which includes abortion care.

Assisted funding through advocacy organizations. Organizations like the National Abortion Federation, Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights, Abortion Care Canada and Planned Parenthood provide funding support for patients who cannot afford care.

Clinic-based discussions. Many clinics, including Cabbagetown Women's Clinic, will discuss fees and payment options with patients before any procedure. We do not turn patients away based on inability to pay without first exploring what support may be available through the agencies listed above.  To expedite your procedure, please reach out to the above funding agencies first and they can refer your procedure to us.

What If You Are from Another Province?

Patients travelling to Ontario from other provinces often ask whether they will be charged out of pocket. The answer is ‘Yes’.  You have to cover the cost and reach out to your how province Ministry of Health for the reimbursement.

In most provinces, your provincial health plan will reimburse you for medically necessary services received in Ontario, including abortion. The process usually involves paying for the service upfront, then submitting a claim to your home province for reimbursement.

A few provinces are slower or more restrictive with out-of-province reimbursement, so it is worth calling your provincial health plan before you travel. The clinic you book with can also provide documentation that supports a reimbursement claim.

If you are travelling from outside Ontario and you are unsure how this works, please call us. We help patients navigate this regularly.

What About Travel and Accommodation Costs?

For patients travelling from out of town, travel and accommodation can be big added costs to the procedure itself. There are organizations that help with these costs:

• National Abortion Federation Hotline (1-800-772-9100) provides information about travel assistance and funding.

• Abortion Care Canada offers a patient assistance fund for those facing financial barriers, including travel and accommodation costs.

• Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights (1-888-642-2725) is a free, confidential referral service that can connect patients with regional support.

If you are unsure where to start, the clinic you book with can usually point you in the right direction. If you cannot get funding for the overnight accommodation, please let us know at booking and we will try to assist you with this.

The Bottom Line

In Ontario, cost is not usually the barrier to abortion care that many people fear it will be. For patients with OHIP, the service is fully covered. For patients without OHIP, options exist. For patients travelling from outside the province, reimbursement is often possible.

The most important step is to call a clinic and ask. At Cabbagetown Women's Clinic, our team has had this conversation many times. We will talk you through what your costs might look like, what funding support may be available, and how to plan your visit.

If you are ready to book or you have questions about cost, you can reach us here. There is no obligation, and there is no judgment.