Know Your Reproductive Rights

Abortion Is Legal and Protected in Washington State

Know Your Rights: Reproductive Health Care Factsheet (PDF)        

Learn about Washington's protections for health care providers.

Washington Guarantees Access to Abortion 

Every pregnant person in Washington has the fundamental right to have an abortion for any reason prior to the viability of the fetus. (See RCW 9.02.100, .110, .170.)

After viability, abortion is permitted in Washington if the abortion is necessary to protect the pregnant person’s life or health. (See RCW 9.02.110.)

In Washington, people of any age have the right to consent to their own abortion care. Washington does not require consent from a person’s parent, guardian, or partner to have an abortion. (RCW 9.02.100; see also Laws of 2022, ch. 65, § 1(5).)

Abortions in Washington Are Confidential 

Health care providers in Washington generally may not disclose health care information about a pregnant person without their written consent. (RCW 70.02.020(1); 45 CFR § 164.502.)

Washington businesses may not disclose or sell certain health information, including reproductive and sexual health information, without the person’s consent. (See RCW 19.373.010, .020, .030.)

Pregnant persons have the legal right to ensure that all information regarding an abortion is sent to them instead of the person who pays for their health insurance (including parents). (WAC 284-04-510.)

To change where this information is sent, you can send a Confidentiality Request Form to your health insurance company. You can also call your health insurance company to request this confidentiality.

Coverage of Abortion Services in Washington

Under Washington law, most insurance plans must cover abortion services, including medication abortion (when pills are used to end a pregnancy) and procedural abortion. (RCW 48.43.073.)

While Providence Health Plans do not cover most abortion-related services due to religious objections, if you have a Washington Providence Health Plan, the Department of Health will reimburse your provider directly for abortion services.

Washington’s health insurance program, Apple Health (Medicaid), will cover abortion care for patients who qualify, including both medication and procedural abortion. 

If you do not have health insurance and do not qualify for Apple Health, you may be able to get help paying for abortion care from the Northwest Abortion Access Fund.

Pregnant Persons from Other States May Receive Abortion Care in Washington 

Pregnant persons from other states may come to Washington for abortion services. (RCW 9.02.110.)

Washington law enforcement, agencies, and courts are prohibited from cooperating with out-of-state civil and criminal investigations or legal actions related to care provided in Washington under Washington’s Shield Law.

Certain health data collected in Washington, including from out-of-state residents entering Washington, cannot be collected, shared, or sold without consent. (RCW 19.373.)

Licensed providers will not be disciplined in Washington for offering legal abortion care, even if another state does take disciplinary action. (RCW 18.130.450.) If providers have questions about their legal rights to provide or support abortion care in specific circumstances, or have been threatened with arrest or prosecution, pro bono (free) legal advice and representation is available through the Abortion Defense Network.

Washington Protects Your Right to Safely Access Abortion and Contraception

Washington law prohibits anyone from interfering with or obstructing your access to health care facilities, including for abortion care.(RCW 9A.50.020.)

You may obtain abortion care from physicians as well as physician assistants and advanced registered nurse practitioners. (RCW 9.02.110.)

You may meet with a medical provider by video on your phone or computer (a telehealth or telemedicine appointment) and have abortion pills mailed to an address within Washington State. Plan C provides a list of telehealth abortion pill providers. You can also contact Cedar Rivers Clinic or Planned Parenthood.

A hospital or other employer may not stop a health care provider from treating a patient for pregnancy complications (including miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies) that pose a risk to the patient’s life, irreversible complications, or impairment to the patient’s bodily functions. (RCW 70.400.020.)

You have the right to access birth control at any age in Washington State. (RCW 9.02.100.)

“Crisis Pregnancy Centers”

"Crisis Pregnancy Centers" may look like full-service health clinics, but they often are not operated by licensed health care providers. 

Patient care may be provided by staff or volunteers who are not licensed health care providers. To make sure you get the care you need, you should inquire if you will be seen by a licensed health care provider. 

These centers may not be subject to patient privacy laws such as HIPAA. Federal health privacy protections (such as HIPAA) generally only apply to licensed health care providers and their employees and agents. (45 CFR § 164.502.)

These centers may not provide information on all pregnancy options, including abortion, and may refuse to provide a referral for an abortion.

Finding Abortion Providers in Washington

The Washington Department of Health has information on how to find an abortion provider in Washington. 

You can also contact the Northwest Abortion Access Fund or the Washington Reproductive Access Alliance if you need help with your search for abortion care.

Washington Law Has Special Protections for Birth Control and Emergency Contraception

In Washington, most insurance plans must cover FDA-approved prescription birth control, as well as emergency contraception and over-the-counter birth control, typically at no cost and without restrictions or delays. (RCW 48.43.072; WAC 284-43-5150.) The Office of the Insurance Commission provides detailed information on this issue.

Washington pharmacies must fill all valid prescriptions, including prescriptions for medication abortion, emergency contraception, and birth control, unless there is a medical reason not to (like an allergy) or the pharmacy does not have the drug and cannot get it quickly. (WAC 246-945-415; Stormans, Inc. v. Wiseman, 794 F.3d 1064 (9^th Cir. 2015).)

All hospital emergency rooms in Washington must provide emergency contraception as a treatment option for sexual assault. RCW 70.41.350; WAC 246-320-286.

The Washington Department of Health has additional information on birth control and emergency contraception.