In vitro fertilization (IVF) can be an expensive but necessary procedure for couples and individuals who may be experiencing struggles with fertility. While insurance may help with some of the costs, IVF is not covered by every insurer. Understanding what you might pay is an important step when preparing for IVF.
Key Takeaways
- The cost of IVF can vary widely, based on which procedures you have done, where you receive treatment, and the number of cycles you undergo.
- Insurance can help with IVF costs, but not every insurer covers fertility treatments.
- Fertility clinics may offer financial assistance or payment plans to help couples and individuals with the cost of IVF.
Average Cost of IVF
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine estimates the average cost of IVF at $12,400. However, pinning down the actual cost of IVF is difficult, as no two people have the same experience when seeking fertility treatment.
A single IVF cycle—defined as ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, and embryo transfer—can range from $15,000 to $30,000, says Dr. Jane L. Frederick, a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist with HRC Fertility in Newport Beach, California. Frederick says that what someone will pay largely depends on which treatment center they’re using and their medication needs.
Vitaliya Dovirak, director of finance at RMA Long Island IVF, says medication fees, which are payable to the pharmacy, can be anywhere from $3,000 to $6,000. Patients undergoing IVF treatment may also pay additional fees for genetic testing of embryos and diagnostic testing, all of which can add up to approximately $1,200 to $1,700.
Important
Asking for a cost estimate before beginning IVF procedures can help you better understand the financial implications.
What Affects IVF Costs?
There are a number of factors that can influence what someone might pay for IVF treatments. Some of the main considerations include the facility with which you’re working, the type of IVF cycle you’re pursuing, and the number of cycles that are necessary to become pregnant. Using optional services can also increase the cost.
Here are some examples of how much you might pay for treatment at various facilities around the country.
New York City
- Initial Consultation – $200 to $500
- IVF Cycle With Fresh Eggs – $11,320 to $18,941
- IVF Cycle Freeze All Embryos – $9,815 to $16,545
- IVF Cycle Freeze With All Biopsy & CCS/PGT-A – $14,960 to $20,215
- Frozen Embryo Transfer – $4,393 to $5,890
Atlanta
- Initial Consultation – $234 to $360
- IVF Cycle with Fresh Eggs – $15,010
- IVF Cycle Freeze All Embryos – $10,610
- IVF Cycle Freeze With All Biopsy & CCS/PGT-A – $14,090 to $14,890
- Frozen Embryo Transfer – $4,400
San Francisco
- Initial Consultation – $375
- IVF Cycle Without PGT-A – Starting at $11,595
- IVF Cycle Freeze With All Biopsy & CCS/PGT-A – Starting at $16,085
- Frozen Embryo Transfer – $3,500 to $5,010
As you can see, costs for IVF are not exactly uniform, though they may be in the same ballpark across different regions and clinics. Aside from where you seek services, your costs can also be affected if you use an egg or sperm donor or rely on a surrogate to carry the baby to term.
If you’re using a donated egg, you’ll need to pay medication costs for the donor on top of any medications for the person receiving the fertilized egg. Donors can also collect a fee for the use of their eggs. These additional costs can add up to anywhere from $10,000 to $15,000, depending on where you’re receiving fertility treatments. A surrogate can be even more expensive.
If deemed necessary, treatment to improve sperm motility can add another $1,000 to $2,500 to your total IVF costs.
How to Financially Prepare for IVF
If you’re planning to undergo IVF, it’s important to consider the financial impact it might have and what you might be responsible for paying out of pocket. Reviewing your insurance coverage is a good place to start.
Insurance Choices
Seventeen states have laws that require insurance companies to cover or offer coverage for infertility diagnosis, and treatment. Among those states, 15 have laws that require insurance companies to cover infertility treatment. They include:
- Arkansas
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Montana
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- Ohio
- Rhode Island
- West Virginia
Regardless of where you live, it’s important to check with your insurer to see what costs of IVF are covered and the coverage amounts. That can help you better estimate your out-of-pocket costs.
Treatment Varieties
Next, you can research options for reducing costs to make IVF more affordable. For example, Dr. Frederick says some patients may consider low-dose IVF, also known as “minimal stimulation IVF,” as it’s a less expensive treatment. While not right for everyone, low-dose IVF can cost less, as it typically requires fewer doctor visits and medications.
Financial Assistance
Dovirak recommends meeting with the treatment center’s financial services representative to discuss financing programs and options that may be available. These might include grants for IVF cycles, a bundled rate if you choose a freeze cycle with genetic testing, and embryo transfer or low-cost loan options through partner financing companies.
Finally, consider how much you might be willing to spend when there’s no guarantee of success. “There’s no way to know how IVF will go for you,” says Dr. Frederick. She advises talking to the clinic to ask for statistics based on your age and relevant medical factors to help you decide if IVF is right for you.
Does Health Insurance Cover IVF?
Insurance plans can cover IVF and other fertility treatments, though they’re not required to in all states. If your insurance plan offers partial or no coverage for IVF, you’ll need to consider whether you can pay for it out of pocket.
Can You Take Out a Loan for IVF?
IVF loans can help you to pay for fertility treatments, and your clinic may offer them as one option for financial assistance. Whether it makes sense to take out an IVF loan can depend on your financial resources and budget. If you need to borrow a substantial amount of money, that could create a financial burden that might be difficult to handle on top of the considerable other costs of having a child. In order to find the right option, you should compare the best IVF loans available.
Can You Put IVF on a Credit Card?
If the fertility clinic accepts credit cards as a form of payment, then you should be able to charge IVF treatments. That could get expensive, however, if you’re carrying a large balance at a high annual percentage rate. A low interest rate personal loan or line of credit might be a less expensive option if you need to borrow to pay for IVF.
The Bottom Line
Going through IVF can be mentally and emotionally trying, and adding financial worries into the mix can make it even more stressful. Breaking down your estimated costs before starting the process can help you to determine if IVF is realistic for your budget and how much you might pay to achieve your dream of parenthood. Talking to other parents who have been through the process can make it easier to understand what to expect, from both a physical and a financial perspective.