Provider practice models for and costs of delivering medication abortion - evidence from 11 US abortion care settings

Purpose: Understanding practice models and provider costs for medication abortion (MAB) provision may elucidate ways to facilitate MAB integration into a larger arena of health care services. This study provides descriptive data on the diverse MAB practice models currently being utilized by US health care providers and the costs associated with the components of those models. Method: Data were gathered from a sample of 11 abortion care settings, using clinic administrative records and patient satisfaction surveys. Results: Practice models varied dramatically, with a wide range in the type of staff employed to provide MAB. The total episode cost for providing MAB ranged from $252 to $460, and patient satisfaction was high across all practices. Conclusion: Information from this study can be used to guide decisions regarding MAB integration into practices not currently providing abortion or which provide only aspiration abortions. The information may also be useful for providers wishing to refine their MAB services.