Introduction: To understand patient preferences around early abortion methods and care-seeking during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in a state that expanded insurance coverage for abortion care.

Methods: We conducted phone interviews between July 2021 and February 2022 with 50 Illinois residents (aged 18–45) who had recently sought abortion at 18 clinics throughout Illinois at or before 11 weeks of pregnancy. We used a semistructured interview guide to explore preferences, motivations and decision-making around the abortion method. We coded transcripts and used code summaries to conduct a thematic content analysis.

Results: Half of the participants chose medication abortion, and half chose procedural abortion. Some participants relied upon their past abortion experiences to choose a method. Participants' reasons for choosing medication abortion included home setting with support persons, the noninvasive nature, desiring a more ‘natural’ experience or negative perceptions of procedural abortions. Participants choosing procedural abortions valued increased certainty of completion, the option of sedation and the defined timeline of a clinic visit with fewer physical side effects. Some participants without insurance coverage were motivated to select a method based on cost. Around half of the participants expressed interest in considering a telehealth abortion.

Conclusions: Patients cited complex and personal preferences influencing their method selection; when cost barriers were reduced, preferences centred physical or emotional experiences, setting, effectiveness and timing. As abortion access is increasingly restricted, many patients may still highly value a choice between medication and procedural abortion when possible.