Telehealth is reshaping how people access abortion care across the U.S., according to newly released data. The findings show a steady climb in remote medication abortions since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. For many patients, virtual appointments and mailed medication have become a primary route to care.
Nationwide trend: telehealth abortions rising fast
New analysis from the Society of Family Planning tracks monthly abortions by state. It shows a substantial increase in telehealth-delivered abortions during 2025.
- 27% of U.S. abortions from January to June 2025 were completed via telehealth.
- This is up from 25% at the end of 2024 and just 5% in spring 2022.
- The group estimates about 15,000 abortions per month on average in the first half of 2025.
How shield laws support remote abortion access
Several states have enacted shield laws that protect clinicians who provide abortion care across state lines. These laws reduce legal risk for providers prescribing the abortion pill by telemedicine.
Shield laws typically aim to:
- Limit state prosecution of clinicians who serve patients outside the clinician’s state.
- Clarify liability protections for telehealth prescribing of mifepristone and misoprostol.
- Promote continuity of care when local clinics are restricted.
The Society of Family Planning notes these protections have helped telehealth providers keep serving patients, even in states with strict bans.
Where telehealth abortions are most common
Telehealth use has especially climbed among people living in states with total or near-total bans. The SFP report highlights a marked increase in virtual care for residents of those states in early 2025.
Legal landscape
- As of December, 13 states have total abortion bans.
- 28 states restrict abortion based on gestational limits, according to the Guttmacher Institute.
What telehealth abortion care looks like today
Most telehealth abortions use medication rather than procedures. Patients consult with a clinician by video. Pills are then mailed or picked up. The two commonly used drugs are mifepristone and misoprostol.
- Virtual visits for screening and counseling.
- Remote prescription and pharmacy or mail delivery.
- Follow-up via telehealth to check on progress and manage side effects.
Voices from the field: clinicians and researchers
Researchers and clinicians describe telehealth as a crucial option for people facing local restrictions. Dr. Ushma Upadhyay, co-chair of the SFP WeCount initiative and a professor at UCSF, said telehealth has become vital for patients in states with bans.
The SFP study began collecting monthly state-level abortion data in April 2022. That timing gives a clear before-and-after view of how care shifted after Roe v. Wade was overturned.
Key figures that matter for policy and access
Policymakers, advocates and providers are watching these numbers closely. The growth in telehealth abortions intersects with legal protections, clinic availability and drug access.
- 27% telehealth share in Jan–Jun 2025 indicates growing reliance on virtual care.
- The rise from 5% in 2022 to 27% in 2025 underscores rapid change in care delivery.
- Shield laws and state-level policy choices remain central to future trends.
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