FAQs

No. Family Planning Associates is a privately owned Medical Group. We are contracted with most insurance plans and we accept Medi-Cal, cash, all major credit cards and money orders or cashiers checks.

Yes, we do provide the “Morning After” Pill. See our Payment Info page for current prices.

Yes, we do have female physicians available.

We may have protesters at some of our clinic locations. Protestors are not allowed on Family Planning Associates property but they may be in the street or on sidewalks. You need not speak to any protesters or accept literature from them. The protesters are not permitted to touch you.

All of your medical records are completely confidential and require your signature and authorization for release. It is always important to give accurate and current information on medical records. Your correct name, address, phone number and medical history are important for many reasons, particularly in case of emergency.

No. Your partner does not need to know. Your services are completely confidential. If you are using insurance to pay for services, it is possible that your partner will have access to the information from your insurance company if you are jointly insured. In this case, you can consider paying by cash or money order.

We recommend that the member contact the insurance company to discuss their policy on abortion confidentiality.

Yes. Each of our facilities offers this procedure on specific days.

No. Your pregnancy test can be performed when you arrive for your surgery appointment.

In most cases the abortion can be performed as early as the EPT pregnancy test shows positive results or at approximately 5 to 6 weeks. Make an appointment with us if your period is two weeks late.

The fees for an abortion vary depending on clinic location, type of service (surgical or non-surgical abortion), type of anesthesia (local anesthesia or general anesthesia), length of gestation (13 weeks and under or 13.5 to 22 weeks), and use of insurance. Please see our Fees Page for details.

Yes, we accept most insurance plans. We will take your insurance information and benefits. Most insurance plans cover abortion services. Your insurance plan may require that you pay a percentage of the fee for your services. In some cases you will need a referral or authorization from your doctor or health plan. Please contact your doctor or medical group to obtain your authorization. Prior to your appointment time, please check with us about the verification of your insurance benefits. In addition, we accept cash, all major credit cards, money orders or cashiers checks, as well as Medi-Cal.

Yes.

We can help you apply for Presumptive Eligibility (PE) that is similar to Medi-Cal.

The procedure is safe. Fewer risks exist with abortion than childbirth. The physician performing the surgery is highly skilled and specializes in this procedure. Our staff is trained to offer the highest standard of medical care available.

A D&C (Dilation and Curettage) is the surgical procedure to terminate pregnancy. A D&C can be performed up to 13 weeks gestation. The non-surgical procedure is accomplished with medication and offered up to 9 weeks of gestation.

Appointments are available for the same day or the following day.

Yes. A trained counselor will review your medical history, pre and post operative instructions, method of payment and birth control information. Our medical practitioner will perform a physical examination prior to the procedure and will answer any additional questions you may have.

It has been our experience that the majority of our patients are relieved after the procedure. However, every patient is unique. Exhale offers a free post-abortion talkline at 1-866-439-4253. If a patient is feeling anger, regret or guilt for an extended period of time, she may want to consider professional counseling. We understand that abortion is a difficult decision for some patients and we remain sensitive to their feelings. We are grateful that we can offer a safe solution for undesired or problematic pregnancy to a large number of women who are supported in their right to choose.

Our medical practitioner will perform a pelvic exam and ultrasound if necessary to determine the length of gestation.

If you are Rh negative and having a surgical procedure, your doctor will recommend Rhogam injection to prevent your body from developing antibodies against a future pregnancy.  If you are less than 8 weeks pregnant and having a medication abortion, there is no evidence that Rhogam is necessary. 

Abortion is successful for 98% of women.  If you take a medication abortion in one of our offices, we will schedule you an appointment to return in one week to confirm the medication was successful.  If you take medication abortion by mail, you will have two virtual follow up appointments and take a home pregnancy test to confirm completion of the medication abortion.   Usually at the time of surgical termination, your doctor will be able to confirm the procedure was complete.  If you are very early in the pregnancy, your doctor may schedule a follow up appointment in the office to perform an ultrasound or pregnancy test to ensure you are no longer pregnant. 

Professional medical staff is available to our patients 24 hours every day. If you have any questions or are experiencing post-operative problems, please call our 800 number at any hour of the day or night. Our trained staff will speak with you and may ask that you return to our clinic for evaluation.

Yes, there is no evidence that having an abortion has any effect on future pregnancies.

No. Minors in California are not required to receive parental consent.

Yes. All of our doctors are licensed by the State of California and specialize in pregnancy termination.

In most cases, surgical abortion is completely effective. A small percentage of cases will require reaspiration if unusual bleeding occurs or if there is retained tissue.

Most patients experience some cramping. If the cramping is not relieved by over the counter medications such as Extra Strength Tylenol or Advil, we ask the patient to call our 24-hour emergency number. You may take a shower or tub bath after surgery. Do not douche, use tampons or have intercourse for two weeks. Avoid any products that contain aspirin as aspirin promotes bleeding.

If you have chosen general anesthesia you will be completely asleep during the surgery so you will not feel any pain. After the procedure you may experience cramping, which can range from mild to moderate. In most cases Extra Strength Tylenol, Aleve or Motrin will alleviate the cramping. If the cramping is not alleviated with these remedies, you should call us immediately.

You will be asleep for 5-10 minutes, depending if the procedure is performed in the first or second trimester.

The anesthesia that we offer is safe, effective and short acting. You will be asleep from 5-10 minutes depending on the procedure. There is always some degree of risk with any surgery. Serious complications with general anesthesia are very rare in our facilities. Most complications occur when a patient has ingested food or liquid within 8 hours of surgery. Tell your counselor if you have had prior complications with anesthesia or if you have had anything to eat or drink within 8 hours prior to your surgery.

The majority of our patients return to work or school the following day. Your counselor and medical staff will explain the DO’s and DON’Ts after surgery.

Taking the bus after surgery is not recommended. If no other method of transportation is available, we require that an adult accompany you.

In most cases the patient experiences bleeding for 2 to 3 weeks after the surgery. However, some patients do not experience any bleeding and other patients have spotting or bleeding off and on. It is important that you return for your post-operative evaluation two weeks after your procedure.

Normally, your regular menstrual cycle will resume 4 to 8 weeks after the surgery.

It is important that you return for your 2-week post-operative check up to monitor your recovery. If you do not have a period in 8 weeks, please call us.

You should not use tampons after surgery. Sanitary napkins should be used to decrease the possibility of infection and to monitor the amount you are bleeding.

You should avoid strenuous physical activity or heavy lifting (over 15 pounds) for two weeks after the procedure.

You should not have sex for two weeks after your procedure. When you return for your two-week check up, the practitioner will advise if you can resume sexual intercourse. We recommend that you abstain from sexual activity for two weeks because following your procedure you are more susceptible to infection and new pregnancy.

When general anesthesia is administered, gag reflexes are temporarily suppressed. If food or liquid remain in the stomach, vomiting can occur resulting in asphyxiation.

Your driver, friend or family member may not enter the surgery or recovery room with you, as we must protect the confidentiality of all of our patients. We encourage your driver to wait for you in our lobby. If this is not possible, your driver can return for you in approximately 2 hours. It is important that your driver wait for you until your medical and physical history has been completed.

The tissue is sent to a licensed and accredited Laboratory for analysis and is disposed of in accordance to the mandates of State law.

In a small percentage of cases, the tablets given for non-surgical abortion do not cause miscarriage. In these cases, the patient could require a surgical pregnancy termination, which is covered by your initial payment.