Pennsylvania Medical Assistance Pays for Abortions for Rape Survivors
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What if I have to travel Where can I call to get help? If you to get an abortion? CHOICE 215-985-3300 Medical Assistance is required to pay toll-free: 800-848-3367 have been a patient’s transportation expenses to en español: 215-985-3350 any medical service that is being paid Call for help with doctors, clinics, or Medicaid HMOs. for by Medical Assistance. raped… Greater Philadelphia Women’s Medical Fund Each county has a Medical Assistance 215-772-0602 Transportation Program. In Philadelphia, Call for no-interest loans for abortions call WHEELS 215-563-2000. in southeastern Pennsylvania. In other counties, call your Managed Pennsylvania Care Organization or County National Abortion Federation Hotline 1-800-772-9100 Medical Assistance Assistance Office. Call for no-interest loans for abortions For legal help in getting Medical outside of southeastern Pennsylvania. pays for abortions Assistance from DPW or for help in Women’s Law Project getting Medical Assistance to pay for 215-928-9801 / 412-227-0301 for rape survivors. transportation to medical care, call Call for legal assistance with abortion. Welfare Law Line 215-227-6485 Community Legal Services 215-227-2400 CHOICE Greater Philadelphia Women’s Medical Fund Women’s Law Project With assistance from the Institute for Reproductive Health Access of the NARAL-NY Foundation November 2002 When does Medical Assistance* pay for abortion in Pennsylvania? • When you are pregnant from rape or incest • When you need an abortion to save your life What is rape? How long does it take to get a What if I don’t know the name Medical Assistance abortion? of the rapist or the exact date Rape is when someone has sex with you: it happened? • by force (hitting, kicking, using a You should start the process as soon weapon on you) as you know you are pregnant and are You don’t need to know his name sure of your decision. The extra paper- or the exact date to get a Medical • by threatening to hurt you work takes time, so don’t delay. Assistance abortion or make a • when you are drugged or unconscious police report. (asleep, drunk, high, knocked out) Who do I have to tell about the • when you can’t consent due to rape to get a Medical Assistance Do I have to report it to the police? abortion? mental illness or retardation NO! You DO NOT have to tell the police • if you are younger than 13 You must tell a doctor, who will fill if you and your doctor sign a form say- out a form saying that you were raped. ing that you are physically or psycho- • if you are younger than 16 and the It can be your own doctor, the doctor logically unable to report the rape. man is four or more years older at an abortion clinic, or any doctor However, if you are under 18 and These situations are all rape, who is giving you medical treatment. you have been raped by a family mem- even if you know the person ber, it is likely that Child Protective or had sex with him before. What forms do I need? Services will be called to protect you. You will need a “Physician What is incest? Certification for an Abortion” form What if no one believes me? Incest is sex with a parent, grandpar- (ma-3), and a “Recipient Statement” You have a right to be believed and ent, brother, uncle, or nephew, or with form (ma-368). The CHOICE hotline treated with respect! If your doctor someone who lives in your house and or Women’s Medical Fund can fax won’t sign the forms you can go to acts like a parent (like your mom’s them to your doctor if he or she another doctor or call CHOICE for boyfriend). doesn’t have them. help. In addition, you can make a complaint to your Managed Care For incest, it doesn’t matter how *Medical Assistance is also called MA, Medicaid, Organization or Medicaid HMO. old the people involved are or medical, medical card, or Access. Many people get whether force was used. Medical Assistance through an HMO like Keystone Mercy, HealthPartners, AmeriChoice, Gateway or UPMC/Best. You must be enrolled in Medical Assist- ance to be eligible for coverage of an abortion..