Dear hay149,

If you are under 18, your state may require one or both of your parents to give permission for you to have an abortion or be told of your decision to have an abortion before the procedure. To find out more about the laws in your state, check out Parental Consent and Notification Laws, or call 1-800-230-PLAN to find a Planned Parenthood health center near you.

The cost of an abortion depends on what kind of abortion you have, how long you've been pregnant, where you go for your abortion, and what your financial situation is. At health centers, the cost of vacuum aspiration abortion ranges from about $275 to $700 for abortion in the first trimester. In general, an abortion costs more the longer you have been pregnant. And hospitals generally cost more than health centers.

The cost of the abortion pill usually ranges from $350 to $650. The cost may be more or less depending on where a woman goes to get the abortion and on whatever additional tests, visits, or exams are needed.

Teens are often able to get financial help for abortion services. Some health centers and hospitals offer sliding scale fees according to income. Some may also reduce the cost for young people. And sometimes Medicaid will cover the cost of an abortion procedure. To find out about abortion costs at a Planned Parenthood health center near you, call 1-800-230-PLAN.

Hope this information helps!

Take care,

teenwire.com^® Editors

This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a medical problem, please call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN for an appointment with the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.