BREAKING: Study Uncovers Miscoding Crisis in ER Visits Following Abortion Drugs

New research reveals widespread miscoding of abortion-related emergencies – sounding alarm on patient safety, clinical integrity and data transparency.

Washington D.C.— A new peer-reviewed study published by the Charlotte Lozier Institute (CLI) uncovered widespread miscoding of emergency room (ER) visits following drug-induced abortions, raising serious concerns about patient safety.

Using anonymized Medicaid claims data, researchers reviewed nearly 29,000 ER visits within 30 days of a surgical or drug-induced abortion. They then determined whether each visit was related to the abortion and whether it was accurately coded as abortion-related or misclassified as a miscarriage. Each case was also evaluated for acuity—which is a measure of the severity and complexity of each patient’s condition.

Key findings:

• ER visits after abortion drug use were 79% more likely to be miscoded as miscarriages compared to surgical abortions.
• From 2016–2021, nearly 84% of drug-induced abortion-related ER visits were miscoded.
• Miscoded ER visits were significantly more likely to be severe: Among drug-induced abortion cases, miscoded visits were 50% more likely to be labeled high acuity over correctly coded visits.

“When abortion-related emergencies are disguised as miscarriages, it impairs a doctor’s ability to make informed, evidence-based decisions. That isn’t just a documentation error—it’s a public health crisis,” said Dr. James Studnicki, vice president and director of data analytics at the Charlotte Lozier Institute.

The findings are especially troubling considering pro-abortion advocacy groups actively encourage women to withhold their abortion history in emergency room settings. Currently, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) advises clinicians not to ask or document abortion drug use, citing concerns over legal risk—a claim not supported by state laws, which uniformly exempt women from any prosecution.

This guidance defies standard medical practice. In no other area of health care are patients told to lie or omit their critical medical history, especially in emergency scenarios where lives and outcomes rely on accurate information.

“The abortion industry’s push for concealment is unethical and dangerous,” said Dr. Studnicki. “Women deserve honest guidance and proper medical care, not advice that jeopardizes their health.”

This study’s findings challenge the often-repeated false claim from the abortion lobby that emergency care for abortion complications does not require disclosure. The data shows otherwise—and underscores the urgent need for accurate reporting and transparency.

This study also builds on a growing body of evidence challenging the abortion lobby’s misleading narratives about abortion drug safety, highlighting the need for evidence-based medical information to prioritize women’s health and safety.

CLI’s full analysis can be found HERE.

Charlotte Lozier Institute was launched in 2011 as the education and research arm of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America. CLI is a hub for research and public policy analysis on some of the most pressing issues facing the United States and nations around the world. The Institute is named for a feminist physician known for her commitment to the sanctity of human life and equal career and educational opportunities for women.

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