Egg freezing can help you take control of your fertility, but it often comes with some high costs. The price you’ll pay depends on your health insurance and the fertility clinic you choose. Some plans may cover things like testing or part of the treatment, but many don’t cover everything.
If you’re considering this option, it’s helpful to understand what you’re paying for and what to ask about before you start.
How Much Does It Cost to Freeze Your Eggs?
Total costs usually fall somewhere between $10,000 and $15,000 for one cycle. You’ll also have to pay a storage fee, which can range from $300 to $600 per year.
In most cases, you’re paying for more than just the procedure itself. Egg freezing is a process that takes time, planning, and multiple steps.
Keep in mind, costs at clinics may differ. You can ask your clinic for a complete cost breakdown including medications and any follow-up appointments, so you’re not surprised later.
Additional Costs to Consider
Even after the initial cycle, there may be added expenses depending on your situation.
Multiple cycles. If one round doesn’t result in enough mature eggs, another cycle and another bill may be added.
Long-term storage. Storage fees are usually charged annually and add up over time.
IVF costs later on. When you’re ready to use your eggs, in vitro fertilization (IVF) can cost up to $18,000 depending on what’s included like thawing, fertilization, embryo transfer, and optional genetic testing.
What to Ask When Comparing Clinics
Egg freezing costs vary, and not all clinics include the same services in their pricing, so when comparing options, ask:
- Are medications included in the quoted price?
- Does the cost cover storage, lab, or fertilization?
- Are monitoring appointments and follow-up visits extra?
Asking these questions can help you choose the clinic that best fits your needs and budget.
Does Insurance Cover Egg Freezing?
Health insurance doesn’t always cover egg freezing, especially if you’re doing it for personal reasons. But depending on your plan, you may still have some coverage for parts of the process. For example, your plan might cover the egg or embryo freezing procedure itself but not the annual storage fees. Others may only cover a portion of your medications or testing.
Check your state and plan type
Coverage for fertility preservation can vary depending on where you live and what kind of insurance you have.
Some states have laws that require insurance companies to cover fertility preservation in certain situations, like before cancer treatment. California and New York, for example, have legislation in place. But coverage isn’t always guaranteed. In some states, you might only get coverage for one cycle or no storage at all.
You can check Resolve’s state-by-state map to see whether your state has a fertility insurance mandate and what’s included.
What is a self-insured plan?
Some employers offer what’s called a self-insured plan. That means your employer collects premiums and is responsible for paying out medical claims instead of buying coverage from an insurance company.
Self-insured plans are common in large companies, but many of them don’t have to follow state fertility coverage laws. That can create gaps in what’s covered and what’s not.
If you’re on a self-insured plan and find out that egg freezing isn’t covered, try talking to your HR department. You can:
- Tell them your situation and ask if there's anything they can do to help
- Point out how many employees might benefit from coverage
- Find out if you can file an appeal, especially if your state has a fertility coverage mandate
Having this conversation might not guarantee coverage, but it can help raise awareness and possibly open up options for you or others on the same plan.
Questions to ask your insurance provider
Before you start the egg freezing process, it’s a good idea to call your insurance provider directly and ask:
- Do you cover fertility preservation or egg freezing?
- Are medications, ultrasounds, or lab work included?
- Is egg or embryo storage covered, and for how long?
- Is coverage only available for certain medical conditions?
- Does my plan follow any state mandates for fertility coverage?
- Is this a self-insured plan, and how does that affect what’s covered?
Getting clear answers early on can help you avoid surprise costs and make a more informed decision.
Ways You Can Afford Egg Freezing
If the cost of egg freezing feels out of reach, you’re not alone. Many people find it difficult to afford the full price out of pocket, but there are several ways to lower the cost or get financial help.
Ask about discounts
Some fertility clinics offer discounts for medical-related egg freezing, such as before cancer treatment. These discounts can vary, so ask your clinic directly.
Many clinics are open to setting up payment plans or working with you to lower costs. Some also may offer military discounts for active service members and veterans.
You can also ask to speak with a financial navigator or social worker at your clinic. They can help explain your options and guide you toward programs that may be able to help.
Look into financial assistance programs
A number of programs are available that can offer help with paying the costs of egg freezing.
First Steps. If you’re facing problems with finances, this program offers discounts on fertility drugs.
Team Maggie. This program helps young men and women cover costs for fertility preservation when it’s needed before medical treatments.
Livestrong Fertility. They partner with over 150 clinics and cryobanks to offer discounts and free medications for eligible cancer patients.
Heart Beat Program. They provide free fertility medications to eligible women in the U.S. who haven’t started cancer treatment.
You can contact these programs directly or ask your clinic if they work with them.
You can explore additional programs and scholarships here.
Use tools to find help near you
Finding an affordable clinic can also make a big difference. These resources can help:
Livestrong Fertility's clinic map. Helps you search for partner clinics by ZIP code.
Fertility Scout. A search tool from the Alliance for Fertility Preservation that lists clinics, sperm banks, and other services in your area.
Egg freezing can be expensive, but you may have more support than you realize. Don’t be afraid to ask about discounts, explore nonprofit resources, or see what financial help might be available based on your medical needs.
Can Egg Freezing Save You Money Later?
Freezing your eggs earlier may help you avoid multiple IVF cycles later and reduce your overall fertility costs.
A 2023 cost-effectiveness study using national fertility data found that freezing eggs at age 33 and using them at 43 led to a higher chance of having a baby compared to IVF alone at 43 and saved more than $30,000 on average.
If you hope to have two children, the savings could be greater. Two cycles of egg freezing in your early 30s were linked to much higher success rates and savings of more than $80,000 compared to delaying treatment.
The study also found that freezing your eggs before age 39 was generally more affordable in the long run than waiting, but the best success rates and savings came when eggs were frozen before age 32.
Show Sources
Photo Credit: iStock/Getty Images
SOURCES:
Johns Hopkins Medicine: “Freezing Eggs: Preserving Fertility for the Future.”
UCLA Health: “Egg Freezing.”
National Brain Tumor Society: “11 Ways to Reduce the Financial Burden of Fertility Preservation."
NYU Langone Health: “Egg Freezing & Embryo Banking.”
Alliance for Fertility Preservation: “Cost of Treatment,” “Financial Assistance Programs,” and "Fertility Scout.”
RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association: “Insurance Coverage by State.”
The Livestrong Foundation: “Livestrong Fertility.”
Yale Medicine: “Is Egg Freezing Right for You?”
National Library of Medicine: “A SART data cost-effectiveness analysis of planned oocyte cryopreservation versus in vitro fertilization with pre-implantation genetic testing for aneuploidy considering ideal family size.”
