Yes, Medi-Cal covers abortion as a basic health care service, and enrollees pay nothing out of pocket. Coverage includes medication abortion, surgical procedures at any stage of pregnancy, and related care such as office visits, ultrasounds, lab work, and follow-up appointments.1Medi-Cal. Abortions – Medi-Cal Provider Manual California law also bars health plans from charging any copay, deductible, or other cost-sharing for these services.2California Legislative Information. California Insurance Code 10123.1961
What Medi-Cal Pays For
The program covers the full range of abortion-related care without requiring medical justification, prior authorization, or a referral.1Medi-Cal. Abortions – Medi-Cal Provider Manual SB 245, the Abortion Accessibility Act, specifically prohibits health plans from imposing utilization management on abortion services.3Governor of California. Governor Newsom Signs Legislation to Eliminate Out-of-Pocket Costs for Abortion Services
Covered services include:
- Medication abortion, using two prescription drugs taken in sequence. Some providers offer this by telehealth, with the medication mailed to a California address.
- Surgical abortion at any gestational stage, including dilation and curettage in the first trimester and dilation and evacuation in the second trimester.1Medi-Cal. Abortions – Medi-Cal Provider Manual
- Office visits, pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, lab work, patient education, and follow-up appointments.
- Doula support during or after the procedure, including postpartum visits, reimbursed to the provider at $250.85.4DHCS.ca.gov. Doula Providers Reimbursement FAQ
Coverage has no gestational cutoff.1Medi-Cal. Abortions – Medi-Cal Provider Manual In practice, later procedures may only be available at specialized facilities, but Medi-Cal itself does not set a cap on how far along a pregnancy can be.
The procedure does not have to be performed by a physician. Licensed physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and certified nurse-midwives can also provide abortion care when acting within their scope of practice under California law.1Medi-Cal. Abortions – Medi-Cal Provider Manual
If you need a ride to your appointment and cannot drive or take public transit, Medi-Cal covers non-emergency medical transportation by ambulance, wheelchair van, or litter van. A provider has to prescribe it, and you should contact the transportation provider at least five business days ahead when possible.5DHCS.ca.gov. Frequently Asked Questions for Medi-Cal Transportation Services
What You Pay
Nothing. California Insurance Code Section 10123.1961 prohibits health plans from charging any deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or other cost-sharing for covered abortion care, including pre-procedure and follow-up services.2California Legislative Information. California Insurance Code 10123.1961 SB 245 extended that zero-cost rule across all state-licensed health plans and insurers.3Governor of California. Governor Newsom Signs Legislation to Eliminate Out-of-Pocket Costs for Abortion Services
The rule applies whether you are in a Medi-Cal Managed Care plan or traditional Fee-for-Service. Clinics bill the state directly and cannot bill you for any portion of the procedure, lab tests, or associated visits. Contraception provided during the same visit, such as an IUD or implant, is covered separately and also carries no charge.
How to Use Your Coverage
Bring two things to your appointment: your Medi-Cal Benefits Identification Card (BIC) and a valid photo ID. The BIC lets the clinic bill the state for your care.6DHCS.ca.gov. Medi-Cal Coverage for All Providers verify identity by matching the name and signature on the BIC against a California driver’s license, state ID, or other credible identification.7Medi-Cal. Eligibility – Recipient Identification Cards Minors under 18 and patients receiving emergency care are exempt from that identity check.
To find a clinic that accepts Medi-Cal, use the provider search tool through the Department of Health Care Services or call local health centers directly.8Medi-Cal Managed Care Health Care Options. Find a Provider Most clinics can confirm eligibility over the phone once you give them your BIC number. Confirming ahead of time avoids delays at check-in.
Access for Minors
California does not require parental consent or parental notification for a minor to obtain an abortion. The California Supreme Court struck down the state’s parental consent requirement as unconstitutional in its 1997 decision in American Academy of Pediatrics v. Lungren. Minors can schedule their own appointments and receive care through Medi-Cal without involving a parent or guardian.
The rest of the coverage terms are the same for minors as for adults: no cost-sharing, no prior authorization, no gestational age limit.
Privacy If You’re on Someone Else’s Plan
The Confidentiality of Medical Information Act, in Civil Code Section 56 and following, bars health care providers from disclosing your medical information without your written authorization.9California Legislative Information. California Civil Code 56.10 California’s standards are stricter than federal HIPAA rules, so providers must follow the state requirements where the two differ.
If you are covered as a dependent under a parent’s or spouse’s plan, Assembly Bill 1184 gives you an additional protection. You can ask your insurer to send all communications about sensitive services, including Explanation of Benefits forms, directly to you rather than to the primary policyholder.10California Legislative Information. AB-1184 Medical Information – Confidentiality Contact your plan and ask to be designated a “protected individual” for confidential communications. The policyholder does not have to learn what services you received.