Allegheny Reproductive Health Center

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When you are ready to schedule your abortion appointment, please call the clinic. This phone call will take 5-10 minutes, depending on how many questions you have. Please have  a pen and paper available. We will review your medical information over the phone, explain all your options for care and help you understand what will happen during your visit. If you have medical insurance you would like to use, please have your policy information with you (identification and group numbers).  If you are unsure about your decision to have an abortion, consider meeting with a counselor for pregnancy options counseling before scheduling your abortion. This will give you an opportunity to thoroughly explore the decision and is provided at no charge. If you are feeling very nervous or anxious about your medical care, consider coming in to the clinic to do your preoperative work prior to your abortion procedure. This will give you a chance to meet the staff, tour the facility and talk about any concerns you have before you are scheduled for your abortion.

Abortion appointments are scheduled on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.  IV sedation is available on Saturdays. Your support person can be with you during the procedure if you have the abortion while awake. We encourage you to bring someone who is important to you and that can provide the support you need.

Abortion Control Act

The State of Pennsylvania requires that all women seeking an abortion in this state receive specific information from a physician at least 24 hours prior to their abortion procedure. At Allegheny Reproductive Health Center you can receive that information either by phone or by coming to the clinic a day or two before your abortion appointment . We can provide more information about these options when you call our clinic.

Fees

The cost of the abortion is based on how far you are in your pregnancy and which options you choose.  Depending on how far into the pregnancy you are, you can choose the abortion pill, or if you are having the aspiration type of procedure, you can choose to have IV sedation.   For scheduling purposes, the pregnancy is measured from the first day of your last normal menstrual period.

Our fees range from $420 to $635 if you are under 14 weeks and from $945 to $1500 between 14 and 19 weeks in pregnancy. Fees depend on how far you are in the pregnancy and which options you choose.  When you call, tell us when your last normal period began and which type of procedure you are considering and we will tell you the cost. If you do not have insurance or are worried about the cost of an abortion, please visit our financial assistance page.

Insurance

We participate with several major health insurance companies.  We will be glad to look into the details of your plan's coverage. We accept any insurance that will pay for the abortion in full. Please ask for details about using your insurance coverage when you call. We cannot accept any insurance that hasn't been approved by our insurance staff.

Payment

Payment needs to be made in full on the day of your surgery. We accept  money orders, MasterCard, Visa, Discover,  debit cards, and Care Credit. We do not accept cash or checks.  If you are bringing a credit card of someone who will not be accompanying you to the clinic, you must bring written consent from the card holder that you have permission to use their card along with a copy of their photo ID. 

Care Credit

Allegheny Reproductive Health Center offers a payment plan through Care Credit.  Care Credit was created for patients needing help to cover the cost of medical and dental procedures.  You can find out in just a few minutes if Care Credit can help you to pay for any medical procedure you might need.  Care Credit works just like a credit card except that there is no interest.  That means that it costs less than using a regular credit card.   After approval, Care Credit covers the cost of your services. Then you make your monthly payments to them. 

You can apply online and receive their answer in just minutes.  If your credit is not approved, you can re-apply with a co-signer.  Using Care Credit allows you to make an appointment without unnecessary delay.

General Information

When you call, a member of our staff will answer all your questions about the abortion. We will need the following information:

• if you have had a positive pregnancy test
• the first day of your last normal menstrual period
• how you plan to pay for the abortion.  Some medical insurance plans pay for abortion services. If you want to use your insurance, please have  your insurance card with you. 
• if you are choosing the abortion pill
• what type of pain control you would like 

It would be best to call when you have some private time to talk. We want you to feel comfortable asking any questions you may have.  There is also information that you will need to write down.

On the day of the abortion you need to bring:

• a photo ID with your birth date. 
  Minors (under 18 years of age) and parent/legal guardian must have photo identification and proof of their relationship. We can explain this in more detail when you call.
• your payment by money order, credit card or debit card
• insurance or medical assistance card

 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

You may bring one guest with you. We must have your guest's name in advance and they must show photo ID. 
Plan on being at the clinic from 4-6 hours on the day of your abortion. You may want to bring a book or magazine to read  while you wait.  Most of the waiting happens prior to the procedure.

If you are going to be awake for the abortion, you should eat a light breakfast such as yogurt or toast before coming in.  If you are having IV sedation, you cannot have anything to eat or drink, 8 hours prior to your appointment time.   No food, water, gum, candy, mints, cigarettes - nothing!

If you are having IV sedation you must bring someone with you who will take responsibility for getting you home safely.  Before the abortion, that person must sign a form agreeing to this responsibility  or sedation cannot be given. 

There may be protesters near the clinic when you arrive. They may try to talk to you or hand you literature. Try to ignore them. You do not have to talk to them.  Volunteer escorts are available on Saturdays to walk with you if you want. The escorts wear bright yellow vests  with the words  PRO-CHOICE ESCORT written across the front.

Pittsburgh  has a Public Safety Ordinance designed to protect people seeking medical care in this city.  The ordinance does not permit any person to picket or demonstrate within 15 feet of the entrance/exit of a hospital, medical office, or clinic. 

Screening

A member of our staff will greet you at the door, verify your appointment, and check your identification .  To protect patient privacy we DO NOT allow  cell phones, camera phones, or any recording devices to be brought into the clinic.   Weapons or anything that could be used as a weapon---scissors, hairspray, lighter, etc.   are strictly prohibited.   We will check for all of these items and you will have to return them to your car.  A handheld metal detector will be used on everyone entering the clinic.  We may also ask to look inside your purse.  All of these measures are taken to protect the privacy and safety of our patients.