Abortion in Texas: Laws, restrictions, and where to get care

Abortion in Texas is banned with very limited exceptions, which means leaving the state is typically required to get care. For patients who do qualify for an exception under the law, complicated restrictions, insurance limits, and a significant number of fake abortion clinics make access confusing and extremely difficult.

If you live in Texas and need abortion care, you still have safe, legal options. Many people travel to other states such as New Mexico, Colorado, Nevada, and California.

This guide walks you through what abortion costs in Texas, what state law allows, and how you can travel to a nearby state for abortion care. Hey Jane is a leading virtual abortion clinic in the U.S. and does not currently serve patients in Texas.

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Is abortion legal in Texas?

As of August 25, 2022, Texas has a near-total abortion ban with very few exceptions. In fact, Texas has some of the harshest abortion restrictions in the country. 

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What are the exceptions to Texas’ abortion ban?

Abortion is only allowed in Texas if a physician determines that the abortion is necessary to preserve the pregnant person’s life or major bodily function. Texas law does not make exceptions for rape, incest, or cases where the fetus will not survive the pregnancy.

For the very few patients who qualify under Texas’ abortion ban, additional restrictions make accessing care extremely difficult. These include:

• Extra visits and delays: Patients must receive biased counseling and then wait at least 24 hours before getting an abortion.
• Unnecessary testing: An ultrasound is required for every patient, even when there is no medical reason for one.
• Medication abortion restrictions: Telehealth care (such as through Hey Jane) is banned.
• Restrictions on minors: Patients under 18 must notify a parent or guardian and get their or a judge’s consent before receiving abortion care.
• Restricted Medicaid and private insurance coverage: Texas Medicaid does not cover abortion except in very limited circumstances involving life endangerment, and private insurance plan coverage is non-existent.

Even in these cases, patients often struggle to get timely care. Recent high-profile cases, including Zurawski v. State of Texas, have shown how unclear and restrictive the law is—leaving both patients and doctors afraid of legal consequences.

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Find an abortion clinic near Texas 

Abortion is banned with extremely few exceptions in Texas, so there are no in-person abortion clinics in the state. Most patients travel to nearby states to get care. Each of these states has different laws, waiting periods, and clinic availability, so your best option may depend on how far along you are in your pregnancy and how soon you need care.

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How to get abortion pills near Texas

If you can travel, you may be able to get care through Hey Jane. Hey Jane provides access to abortion pills by mail to 23 states, including New Mexico, Colorado, and Illinois. If you’re physically located anywhere in one of Hey Jane’s states, you can start your consultation right away. Once approved, you can have your medications shipped to any convenient in-state address—such as a hotel, short term rental, friend’s house, PO Box, or FedEx pickup location.

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What types of abortion are available?

If you travel to another state for care, or qualify for an exception to receive an abortion in Texas, there are two main types of abortion to consider:

• Medication abortion (the abortion pill): Uses two medications, mifepristone and misoprostol to end a pregnancy. This option is available usually for up to 10 weeks.
• Procedural abortion (in-clinic): A clinician removes the pregnancy during a short procedure. This option is usually available later into pregnancies, but the exact timeline depends on the state.

Both methods are safe, effective, and commonly used in the U.S. The right option for you depends on how far along your pregnancy is, your health history, and your personal preference. You can use our pregnancy calculator to understand how many weeks pregnant you are—as well as learn about your options.

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Beware of fake clinics in Texas

When looking for an abortion provider, make sure to use trusted resources like INeedAnA.com or AbortionFinder. That’s because there are fake clinics, (sometimes called crisis pregnancy centers) that may seem like a real clinic but are not—and they try to convince abortion seekers to continue their pregnancy. These fake clinics often use misinformation or scare tactics to prevent people from accessing real abortion care, and are not bound by HIPAA to keep medical information private. (Horrible, we know!)

‍Texas has at least 231 fake abortion clinics and 0 real ones due to the near-total abortion ban. Because fake clinics often change names or aren’t consistently tracked, different sources list slightly different information. If you’re not sure about a clinic, you can check either exposefakeclinics.com or crisispregnancycentermap.com.

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How much does it cost to get an abortion near Texas?

The average cost of abortion depends on factors like how far along the pregnancy is, what type of abortion you get, the provider you choose, and related costs like transportation and travel. While Hey Jane does not serve patients in Texas, below are the average costs available in other states, reported to the research group ANSIRH.

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How much does it cost to travel for an abortion?

Because Texas bans abortion with limited exceptions, and most surrounding states also restrict access, many abortion-seekers will need to travel out-of-state (or even through multiple states) for care. That means that they may also need to budget for:

• Transportation: Gas, bus tickets, or airfare to a state where abortion is less restricted.
• Lodging: A hotel, rental, or friend’s place to stay if you need to remain overnight.
• Childcare or time off work: Covering care for children or taking unpaid time away from your job.
• Meals: Stocking up on easy-to-transport food or ordering take out while away from home.

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Can I get help paying for an abortion? 

Yes—abortion funds can cover the full or partial cost of treatment as well as travel if you're not able to get care locally. Learn more about abortion funds and how they might be able to help you get the care you need.

For assistance with care in Texas (or traveling to another state for care), check out the below local organizations. You can find more resources, including talk and text lines, legal help, and more here.

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Does Texas Medicaid cover abortion?

Generally, no. While federal Medicaid rules allow abortion coverage in cases of rape, incest, or life endangerment, Texas law is stricter. Texas only allows abortion when necessary to preserve the pregnant person’s life or major bodily function. Because abortion is illegal in cases of rape or incest in Texas, Medicaid coverage is not available in those situations.

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Does private insurance cover abortion in Texas?

Usually, no. Because abortion is only legal in Texas when necessary to preserve the pregnant person’s life or major bodily function, private insurance coverage is extremely limited in practice.

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How to protect your privacy while searching for abortion care 

If you live in Texas and are looking for abortion care, you may want to take extra steps to keep your search private. Here are a few tips:

• Use personal devices: Search on your own phone, laptop, or email—not on work, school, or government devices.
• Rely on trusted hotlines: Use confidential hotlines and text lines vetted by reputable reproductive health organizations. 
• Lean on support networks: Reach out to friends or family you trust for help, information, or emotional support.

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Abortion is a basic health care right

And it’s a basic health care need for millions of people who can become pregnant. In fact, about 1 in 4 people with a uterus will have at least one abortion in their lifetime.

Despite this, state restrictions and the lack of in-person providers can make it harder to access care in Texas—but not impossible. 

If you need help finding a trusted provider, use resources like Abortion Finder, INeedAnA.com, or Plan C to explore your options. And if you can travel to another state like New Mexico, Colorado, California, or Illinois, you may be eligible for virtual abortion care with Hey Jane. 

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What’s new in Texas abortion policy in 2026

Abortion access in Texas is under serious threat. New laws and court cases are changing how and if people can get abortion care, especially abortion pills.

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New law targeting abortion pills goes into effect

As of December 4, 2025, House Bill 7 (HB 7) went into effect in Texas. This law allows private citizens to sue anyone outside of Texas who manufactures, distributes, mails, or provides abortion pills into Texas for $100,000.

Laws like HB 7 are meant to scare abortion pill providers into stopping care. This is true even though abortion pills are safe, effective, and widely used in the U.S. Patients are not the target of these lawsuits, but access to care is still made harder.

The information on this page is provided for educational purposes only. Hey Jane does not provide abortion services to patients located in Texas and does not mail, transport, or deliver abortion medication to Texas addresses.

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Texas Supreme Court hears Sadie Weldon v. The Lilith Fund

The Texas Supreme Court recently heard arguments in the case Sadie Weldon v. The Lilith Fund. The case looks at how abortion bans and civil lawsuits can be enforced in Texas.

The decision could affect whether abortion funds and support groups can be sued under current laws. Because of this, many people are watching the case closely.

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Passionate about expanding and protecting abortion access? Take action and join the Un-Whisper Network.

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FAQs

Is it legal to leave Texas for an abortion?

Yes. Texas laws restrict abortion care in Texas, but they cannot stop someone from traveling to another state to get care. That said, the rules can be more complicated for:

• Minors, who may need parental consent 
• People who help someone get an abortion, who may face legal risk under some Texas laws

If you’re planning to travel, it’s important to understand both Texas law and the laws of the state where you’ll receive care. If/When/How is a trusted resource that offers a free legal advice helpline for people with questions about abortion access and the law.

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Can I get abortion pills if I live in Texas but travel to a state where Hey Jane provides care?

Yes. What matters is where you are physically located at the time of care, not where you live. To get abortion care from Hey Jane, you must be in a state we serve for:

• Your medical consultation
• Receiving the medication
• Completing treatment

For more information on traveling for an abortion, read our guide.

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How many weeks pregnant am I, and what are my options by week (pills vs procedure)?

How far along you are in pregnancy (called gestational age) helps determine which abortion options are available.

• Abortion pills are typically an option early in pregnancy (FDA-approved up to 10 weeks).
• In-clinic (procedural) abortion may be available later, depending on the state and provider.

If you’re not sure how far along you are, you can use our pregnancy calculator to help understand your options.

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How fast can I get care if I travel (timeline for appointment + getting medication or a clinic visit)?

Timelines depend on the state, the provider, and how far along you are. Many people can get care within a few days, and sometimes sooner, while others sometimes have to wait weeks. In general, abortion pills are often faster to access than in-clinic care. In-clinic abortion timelines depend on appointment availability and whether any tests or follow-up visits are required.

If you’re traveling for abortion pills via telehealth with Hey Jane, plan for:

• Your consultation: about 1 business day
• Shipping time: 1–3 business days
• The treatment process: 1–2 days
• Extra time for travel: varies

If you’re scheduling an in-clinic abortion, ask the provider about the earliest available appointment and whether more than one visit is needed.

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Where can abortion pills be shipped if I’m traveling (hotel, friend’s address, PO box, pickup), and what’s the most reliable option?

If you travel to a state where telehealth abortion care is available, abortion pills can usually be shipped to an in-state address, such as:

• A hotel or short-term rental
• A trusted friend’s address
• A PO box
• A FedEx pickup location

The most reliable option is an address where packages can be received securely and on time. Before you travel, confirm shipping method, delivery timeline, and any ID requirements for pickup to plan your trip with confidence.