Insurance coverage for abortion
Under the Reproductive Parity Act, all state-regulated health plans that cover maternity services must also cover abortion services. This includes using medications to end a pregnancy. If your employer doesn't want to provide these services to you, your insurer must provide them for free.
If you have questions about abortion services, read your health plan's information or contact your insurer.
Providers who aren't doctors may perform abortions. This includes physician assistants, advanced registered nurse practitioners and other providers acting within their usual type of care. Also, helping someone get an abortion isn't a crime.
How to protect your privacy
State law gives you extra privacy protection for sensitive health care services, including abortion. Your health plan must send all communication about abortions to the email or physical address you provide. Insurers can't share your information without your permission. However, if you don't tell them how to communicate with you, they will send your information to the first person on your policy.
If you want privacy, complete and send this confidentiality form (PDF 229.84KB) to your insurer or call them and ask for privacy.
Abortion options for people without health insurance
Washington state provides abortion coverage if you qualify for help. Apple Health (Medicaid) covers abortion services, post-abortion care and post-abortion family planning. If you don't have health insurance and don't qualify for Apple Health, you can get help from a clinic or the Northwest Abortion Access Fund.
The Department of Health has more information on abortion services in Washington state.
Abortion services for Providence Health Plan members
For religious reasons, Providence Health Plan doesn't cover abortions unless the mother's life is in danger or the fetus is not sustainable.
If you have this plan, the Department of Health will pay for abortion services. For more information, contact their customer service:
- Phone: 800-525-0127
- Email: ReproductiveChoice@doh.wa.gov
You can also contact the Washington Health Benefit Exchange for information about accessing abortion services. This help is only available if you're a member of the Providence Health Plan, not a Providence Health employer plan.
Note: You don't need to tell Providence Health Plan if you access abortion services it doesn't cover.