Planned Parenthood of Illinois (PPIL) has announced the expansion of its abortion care services by offering medication abortion through the PPDirect app. 

The PPDirect app, which already provides birth control, UTI treatment, at-home STI testing, and emergency contraception, will now include medication abortion as part of its suite of services. This expansion aims to improve access, reduce wait times at health centers, and eliminate unnecessary travel for patients seeking abortion care.

“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.” 

The process for obtaining medication abortion through the app involves patients filling out a questionnaire, which is then reviewed by a PPIL medical professional. Qualified patients will receive the medication abortion pills at their Illinois home address within 1-2 days. The cost of medication abortion through PPDirect is $200, which includes shipping.

Dr. Virgil Reid, Interim Chief Medical Officer, noted that medication abortion accounts for half of the abortions PPIL provides. He emphasized that patients will receive the same trusted service associated with PPIL, with the option for follow-up care at a health center if needed.

The organization has seen a 47% increase in overall abortion care patients and an unprecedented number of out-of-state patients since the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022.

PPIL continues to offer medication and procedural abortions, birth control, gender-affirming care, STI testing and treatment, cancer screenings, and other services at health centers across Illinois and through telehealth.