CHICAGO – Planned Parenthood of Illinois (PPIL) is expanding abortion care options to include offering medication abortion through the PPDirect app. Currently, PPIL provides birth control, UTI treatment, at-home STI testing and emergency contraception through PPDirect. Adding medication abortion to the suite of services expands access, reduces wait times at health centers, avoids unnecessary travel, and provides the right care patients need wherever they are in the state.
“As PPIL is facing financial difficulties and an uncertain future because of the current administration, we are doing what we can to expand care and meet our patients where they are,” said Tonya Tucker, Interim President and CEO of PPIL. “Offering medication abortion through the PPDirect app allows patients to connect with us through their phone and removes the barrier of having to visit a health center.”
Patients using PPDirect fill out a questionnaire that is reviewed by a PPIL medical professional. PPIL mails the medication abortion pills to the qualified patients at their Illinois home address in 1-2 days. Patients can receive follow up care at a PPIL health center if needed and they can make an appointment through the PPDirect app. Medication abortion through PPDirect is $200 which includes shipping.
“Medication abortion accounts for half of the abortions PPIL provides,” said Dr. Virgil Reid, Interim Chief Medical Officer. “Offering it through PPDirect makes it easier for patients to access care from where they are. Patients will receive the same trusted service they associate with PPIL and we are there to answer any questions or schedule an in-person appointment if needed.”
Medication abortion using mifepristone is safe. It was first approved by the FDA more than 20 years ago and has since been used by more than five million people to safely end their pregnancies.
PPIL continues to offer medication and procedural abortion, birth control, gender-affirming care, STI testing and treatment, cancer screenings, and more at health centers across the state and through telehealth. For more information visit ppil.org.
Planned Parenthood of Illinois (PPIL) provides affordable, high-quality reproductive health care services and medically accurate sexual health education to women, teens and men throughout Illinois. Through medical services, educational programs and advocacy efforts, PPIL works to ensure and protect the reproductive rights of each individual. For more information, visit www.ppil.org.