Abortion in West Virginia: Laws, restrictions, and where to get care

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Abortion in West Virginia is banned with very limited exceptions. That means most people must travel out-of-state to get care. Even for those who qualify under the law, extra barriers make it harder to access timely treatment. To make matters worse, fake abortion clinics (also called crisis pregnancy centers) operate across the state and often delay or block access to real, evidence-based care.

If you live in West Virginia and need abortion care, you still have safe, legal options. Many people travel to nearby states like Maryland, Ohio, or Virginia to get the care they need.

This guide walks you through what abortion costs in West Virginia, 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 West Virginia.

Is abortion legal in West Virginia?

As of September 16, 2022, West Virginia has a near-total abortion ban with very few exceptions. 

What are the exceptions to West Virginia’s abortion ban?

Abortion is only allowed in West Virginia if a physician determines that:

  • The pregnant person is experiencing a medical emergency
  • The fetus is not expected to survive pregnancy 
  • The pregnancy is ectopic (growing outside the uterus)

There are also exceptions for pregnancies that are the result of rape or incest that vary depending on the pregnant person’s age.

  • For minors: Abortion is allowed up to fourteen weeks of pregnancy if the minor has reported to law enforcement or has obtained medical care for the assault. 
  • For anyone else: Abortion is allowed up to eight weeks of pregnancy if reported to law enforcement first.

For the very few patients who qualify under West Virginia’s 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.
  • Minors: Parental or guardian notification is required before a minor can get an abortion, although a judge can provide an exception to this requirement.
  • Medication abortion restrictions: Patients must have an in-person exam if they prefer abortion pills instead of a procedure. Telehealth care (such as through Hey Jane) is banned.
  • Medicaid coverage: Medicaid does not cover abortion care in West Virginia, except in very limited cases in which abortion is both legal and medically necessary.

Find an abortion clinic near West Virginia

Abortion is banned with few exceptions in West Virginia, 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.

Map of abortion access in and around West Virginia, including neighoring states with near-total abortion bans or ones with less restrictions served by telehealth abortion provider Hey Jane—including Ohio, Maryland, and Virginia.r

How to get abortion pills near West Virginia

If you can travel, you may be able to get care through Hey Jane. Hey Jane provides access to abortion pills by mail to 22 states, including Maryland, Ohio, or Virginia. 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, Airbnb, friend’s house, PO Box, or FedEx pickup location.

Largest Cities Closest Hey Jane state
Charleston, WV Ohio
Charles Town, WV Maryland or Virginia
Huntington, WV Ohio
Morgantown, WV Maryland or Ohio
Parkersburg, WV Ohio
Wheeling, WV Ohio
Martinsburg, WV Maryland or Virginia
Beckley, WV Virginia

Patients must be *physically located* in a Hey Jane state to receive care. Once approved, medication can be shipped to any address in that state—including a PO box, hotel, friend’s home, or mail center.

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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 West Virginia, 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 varies by 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.

Beware of fake clinics in West Virginia

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!)

West Virginia has at least 23 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

How much does it cost to get an abortion near West Virginia?

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 West Virginia, below are the average costs available in nearby states, reported to the research group ANSIRH.

Type of abortion Cost in Maryland Cost in Ohio Cost in Virginia
Abortion pills from Hey Jane $299–$499 (as low as $0 with insurance or financial assistance)
Abortion pills (state avg.) $450 $650 $450
Procedural abortion (state avg.) $650–$1,263* $758–$1,100* $515–$860*

According to UCSF's Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health (ANSIRH) research, 2017–2023.
*Depending on the gestational age of the pregnancy.

Because West Virginia bans abortion with limited exceptions, many abortion-seekers will need to travel out-of-state 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.

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 West Virginia (or traveling to a nearby state for care), check out the below local organizations. You can find more resources, including talk and text lines, legal help, and more here.

Fund Details
Holler Health Justice Fund Helps West Virginians and Appalachians seeking abortions with financial assistance, transportation, lodging, and more.
Western Pennsylvania Fund for Choice Provides direct financial support for people seeking abortion care—including costs of procedures, transportation, and lodging—at Allegheny Reproductive Health Center in Pittsburgh, PA.
The Brigid Alliance Provides people seeking abortions with travel, food, lodging, child care, and other logistical support.
Midwest Access Coalition A practical abortion fund that helps people traveling to the Midwest for abortion care, including nearby Ohio. They can help with travel, meals, childcare, and related costs.

These organizations can help cover travel, lodging, meals, childcare, and other practical needs for people seeking abortion care.

How to protect your privacy while searching for abortion care 

If you live in West Virginia 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.

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 West Virginia—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 a neighboring state like _____, you may be eligible for virtual abortion care with Hey Jane. 

Support abortion access in West Virginia and stay up on the latest news

On July 29, 2025, West Virginia Attorney General John B. McCuskey joined 15 other attorneys general from extremely restrictive states to call on Congress to restrict abortion care nationwide.

The threat to abortion in West Virginia has never been higher. Learn more about how Hey Jane has always stood up for access to abortion access.

FAQs

Is abortion legal in Pennsylvania?

Abortion is legal in Pennsylvania before 24 weeks of pregnancy, but the state constitution does not have protections for the right to abortion care. Learn more in Hey Jane's guide to abortion access in Pennsylvania.

Is abortion illegal in West Virginia?

As of September 16, 2022, West Virginia has a near-total abortion ban with very few exceptions. If you don’t qualify for an exception, you can travel to a nearby state for abortion care—including Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, or Virginia.

Need safe, affordable abortion care near West Virginia?
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