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Pregnancy options
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What about abortion? Where? How?
Originally Published: March 18, 1994
~ Last Updated / Reviewed on: October 19, 2001
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(1)
Dear Alice,
Although I am not pregnant and hope not to get pregnant any time soon, there have been numerous times in the past that I thought that I was — most likely not due to any particular signs, but just that I was scared and freaked out by the whole idea of "what if..." It's not that my boyfriend and I are not in love because we are. We've been going out for three years without ever having broken up and will probably get married after college, so that is not the problem. The problem is that we are both still young and we don't believe in bringing a child into this world without being able to support it financially and without being able to spend as much time with it as we would like. Furthermore, neither one of us could give our child up for adoption. Thus, the only solution for us would be to abort the fetus. I would like to say though that we are very careful when we have sex and at one time were using both condoms and the pill. Now we use only a condom and spermicide. We have practiced safe sex EVERY TIME although we are in a completely monogamous relationship. My question then is how does one go about getting an abortion? Does Health Services perform the procedure or do they refer out? Are the referrals that health services make to good doctors or are they some Joe Schmoe doctor who's just cheap? How much does such a procedure cost? Does insurance pay for the procedure and if so, can parents tell from the insurance company that their child had an abortion? If parents can find out from insurance itemization, can you pay in cash? What type of forms do you need to present before the doctor will perform the procedure in the first place? I think that if people who already know that abortion is the way for them knew the answers to these questions, they would feel a lot better and there wouldn't be as many freak outs. Thank you.
Signed,
(2) Does the health service provide referrals to clinics for those interested in abortion procedures? Do you recommend any specific one based upon their positive attitudes towards women and their expertise? Dear Trying to help others with pregnancy and abortion anxieties and Reader #2, You ask good questions, and seem to be trying to keep ahead of the game. Remember, if you do practice safer sex — using a condom for every act of intercourse — it is highly unlikely that you will get pregnant. But, there is always that fluke of nature... Health Services at Columbia, particularly Primary Care Medical Services does not perform abortions, but makes referrals to private doctors and clinics throughout Manhattan that do. The doctors and other clinicians Health Services makes referrals to (for any health condition) are not Joe Schmoe doctors, but reputable physicians and clinics that have been checked out personally by the Columbia staff. Many of these health care providers work with Columbia students regularly and understand their particular needs. Health Services maintains lists of referrals with many options so that students can choose a provider based on their particular needs. Women are also encouraged to be aware of their instincts when talking with clinics and providers' offices over the telephone. If you don't feel comfortable with the way you're treated when asking questions or making an appointment, the likelihood is that you won't feel better when you actually come in. Similarly, if you make an appointment, come into the office, and then feel wary, you can always leave and reschedule with a different provider, assuming you have the time. You may have to pay a missed-appointment fee, but you won't have to pay the whole charge for the procedure. Students needing abortion services who prefer not to activate their private insurance for confidentiality reasons can utilize a benefit of the Health Services program, paid for by your Health Services Fee, which includes coverage for 100 percent of medical and surgical abortion services, up to a maximum of $500.00. This amount is based on the average rate for these services in and around New York City. This program allows all students, regardless of whether they carry the Columbia Student Medical Insurance or alternative comparable coverage, to have access to abortion services without concerns about confidentiality. All full-time students must pay the Health Services Fee; it is separate from the costs associated with medical insurance. If a student chooses instead to utilize benefits from her non-Columbia insurance plan, and she is concerned about parents, guardians, or a partner finding out about her health care needs, she should speak with the provider performing the abortion about her situation before having the procedure done. For more information regarding the reproductive health care rights of minors, read The Pill: Where do I get it, how much does it cost, and do my parents have to know? in Alice's Sexual Health archive. Keep in mind that regardless of the coverage used, additional costs may be associated with a procedure, and the student would be responsible for those. More often than not, the full fee must be paid in advance, usually by cash or check, and then the student will get reimbursed. If utilizing the coverage in the Health Services program, the student would contact Chickering (1.800.859.8471), the administrator of Columbia's Student Medical Insurance Plan. An assessment and referral by a provider at Health Services is not necessary to access coverage, but it is encouraged. This way, the student has had the opportunity to discuss her options, gain a referral to a trusted provider that Health Services maintains a relationship with, and can follow-up on-campus as needed. All health care services at Columbia are confidential. If you have more specific questions, you can always call Primary Care Medical Services at x4-7426 during regular business hours or the Clinician-on-Call after hours at x4-9797. For more information about the coverage included in the Health Service Program, read the Health Services at Columbia Health Insurance brochure or visit the Health Services at Columbia website.
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