I had heard stories about abortion costing hundreds of dollars. I did not have hundreds of dollars. I had maybe a hundred dollars in my savings account, and that was supposed to go toward my car insurance.

I spent three days crying, researching, and avoiding the phone. Then I saw something on a clinic's website that changed everything. It said: "Financial assistance available. No one turned away for inability to pay."

I decided to call.

The Call I Almost Didn't Make

I was terrified. My hands were shaking. But the woman who answered was calm and kind. She asked where I was located. I told her I was in Chicago. She said that was perfect because I needed to be in Illinois for the consultation.

I asked about cost before anything else. I told her I did not have insurance and I did not have much money. She said not to worry. She explained that financial assistance was available and that the clinic would help me figure it out.

She asked about my last period. I told her it was about six weeks ago. She said I was still early, which was good. She explained the telehealth process and scheduled my video visit for the next day.

I hung up feeling relieved but still nervous about money. I decided to trust what she said.

For anyone in Illinois who is worried about cost, low-cost abortion care in Illinois is available with financial assistance for those who need it.

The Video Visit That Changed My Mind About Money

The next day, I logged into my video call from my bedroom. The provider was a nurse practitioner. She introduced herself and explained that everything we discussed would be private.

She asked about my medical history. She asked about my last period. She asked if I had any questions. I had one question: "How much is this going to cost me?"

She smiled. She said she understood. She explained that the clinic had a sliding scale based on income. She asked about my job and how much I earned. I told her honestly.

She did some quick math and told me I qualified for a financial assistance program. The abortion pill would cost me twenty dollars. Twenty dollars. Not two hundred. Not five hundred. Twenty.

I almost cried. I had been losing sleep over money, and the answer was twenty dollars.

She then walked me through the abortion pill process. Mifepristone first. Misoprostol 24 to 48 hours later. She told me what to expect. Cramping. Bleeding. Clots. Fatigue. She told me what to watch for. Too much bleeding. Fever. Severe pain.

She sent the prescription to a pharmacy. She told me the pills would arrive in two days.

For Illinois residents who need a similar experience, affordable abortion pill by mail is available with sliding scale fees and financial help.

The Package Arrived

The pills came on a Friday. The box was plain brown. No logos. No markings. Just my name and address.

Inside were two small pill bottles, a pamphlet with instructions, a heating pad, and a card with an after-hours phone number.

I took the first pill that evening. Mifepristone. Small. White. I swallowed it with water. I felt nothing.

I set an alarm for Saturday at noon.

Saturday Was Hard. But I Got Through It.

Saturday at noon, I took the second set of pills. Misoprostol. I placed the tablets between my cheek and gum as instructed. They tasted chalky. I let them dissolve for 30 minutes. Then I swallowed.

Within an hour, the cramping started. It felt like strong menstrual cramps. Within two hours, the cramping was intense. Not unbearable, but strong. I curled up on my couch with my heating pad.

The bleeding started soon after. Heavy. Bright red. I sat on the toilet and watched clots fall. Some were small. Some were larger. I reminded myself that this was normal. This meant the medication was working.

I took ibuprofen. I drank water. I watched bad movies. The worst of it lasted about five hours. By Saturday evening, the cramping had eased. I was exhausted, but I was okay.

The Emotional Aftermath

I did not regret my decision. But I was sad. Not about the abortion. About the circumstances. About the fact that I had to make this choice alone.

I called the after-hours number on Saturday night. The nurse was kind. She said what I was feeling was normal. She said relief and grief can live in the same body.

I hung up feeling less alone.

The Follow-Up

Two weeks later, I had a follow-up video call. The provider asked about my bleeding and cramping. She asked if I had any fever or severe pain. I said no.

She told me to take a pregnancy test in two more weeks to confirm the abortion was complete. She reminded me that I could get pregnant again as soon as two weeks after the abortion.

She also offered to discuss birth control. I asked for a prescription for the pill. She sent it to my local pharmacy.

For Illinois residents who prefer to talk to someone in person, in-person abortion services in Matteson are available with same-day appointments.

What I Learned About Cost

Here is what I learned about paying for an abortion in Illinois:

Do not let fear of cost stop you from calling. I almost did not call because I was afraid of the price. I wasted three days worrying about something that turned out to be fine.

Financial assistance is real. I paid twenty dollars. Some people pay nothing. The clinic staff are trained to help you find assistance.

Ask about sliding scale fees. The clinic adjusts the cost based on what you earn. The less you make, the less you pay.

Medicaid covers everything. If you have Illinois Medicaid, your abortion is free. No copay. No deductible.

Abortion funds exist. Nonprofit organizations can help cover the cost if you do not qualify for other assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much does the abortion pill cost in Illinois?
Cost varies, but financial assistance is widely available. Many patients pay very little or nothing at all.

Do I need insurance to get the abortion pill?
No. Financial assistance is available for uninsured patients. Illinois Medicaid also covers the full cost for eligible residents.

How fast can I get a telehealth abortion in Illinois?
Most patients complete their consultation on the same day they reach out. Medications are shipped within 24 hours and arrive in 1-3 business days.

Is the abortion pill safe?
Yes. The abortion pill is considered safe and effective for eligible patients. It has been used by millions of people for over 20 years.

How long does the abortion pill process take?
Most people complete the process within 24 to 48 hours after taking the second medication. Bleeding and cramping may continue for up to two weeks.

What are the signs of a complication?
Call your provider if you soak through two pads per hour for two hours, pass clots larger than a lemon, feel faint or dizzy, have severe pain not relieved by ibuprofen, or have a fever over 100.4°F for more than 24 hours.

Will my abortion pill be free with Illinois Medicaid?
Yes. Illinois Medicaid covers the consultation, the pills, shipping, and follow-up care at no cost.

What if I change my mind after taking the first pill?
You can change your mind before taking the second pill. Call your provider immediately.

Can I get pregnant again after taking the abortion pill?
Yes. You can ovulate as soon as two weeks after an abortion. If you do not want to become pregnant, talk to your provider about birth control.

Will this affect my ability to have children in the future?
No. Safe, legal abortion does not affect future fertility.

You Are Not Alone

I am writing this three months after my abortion. I am back at work. I am back to my normal life. I am okay. More than okay. I am relieved.

If you are in Illinois and you are worried about cost, I want you to know that financial help is available. Do not let fear of money stop you from making the call. Do not waste days worrying like I did.

The clinic staff are there to help you. They have helped thousands of people. They will help you too.

The first call is the hardest. After that, everything else is just following instructions.

You have got this. I promise.