If you've been trying to conceive but haven't been able to get pregnant, in vitro fertilization (IVF) can help you have a baby. But the fertility procedure is pricey. In fact, studies suggest that cost is the No. 1 reason people in the United States don't seek out IVF. Each round of treatment runs thousands of dollars, and you may need more than one.
How Much Does IVF Cost?
Though prices for IVF vary, research suggests:
- The average cost for one cycle is between $12,000 and $25,000. Some estimates have this number as high as $30,000.
- The cost of IVF per live birth can run more than $60,000.
- The price of an IVF cycle in the United States is more than 271% higher than it is in 25 other countries.
Things that affect cost
Many factors can affect how much you'll spend for IVF. Some include:
Where you live. Different states have different laws about what insurance companies have to cover.
The clinic you choose. Fertility centers offer their own set prices.
How many rounds of IVF you'll need. Each round costs you thousands more. Some people get pregnant on the first try, but many need multiple attempts. On average, it takes 2½ cycles to get pregnant.
Your insurance plan. Some plans include IVF coverage, while others don't.
The medications you need. You may have to pay more for medications to make the procedure successful, especially if you have a specific medical condition.
Other 'hidden' costs
There are also costs you may not think about as much, such as:
Testing and procedures. You might need specific tests before and after your IVF procedure.
Consultations and lab work. Doctors can charge extra for your first set of consultations and bloodwork.
Travel and lodging. Some people travel to different areas to see top doctors. These expenses can add up.
Missed work. You may have to take some time off.
Storage fees. If you freeze your embryos or eggs, you'll need to pay to store them. According to some sources, embryo storage can run $350-$1,500 a year.
Donor eggs/sperm or surrogacy. Some people use donors or a surrogate (someone who carries and delivers your baby). This is an extra cost.
Therapy. The IVF process can be stressful. Therapy is helpful, but it's not always covered by insurance.
Does Insurance Cover IVF?
It depends. Insurance coverage for IVF varies a lot. Some insurance plans fully cover the treatment, some cover it partially, and others don't cover any of it. Your coverage will often depend on your plan and the state you live in.
State laws
In recent years, both state and federal lawmakers have debated whether insurance companies should help pay for IVF treatments. There are currently no federal laws that require health insurance companies to cover infertility treatments. But some states have passed laws that do.
At this time, 22 states, along with Washington, D.C., have passed fertility insurance coverage laws. Of these, 15 include IVF coverage. And 20 states have laws that require insurance companies to cover fertility preservation services (like freezing eggs) for people who can't get pregnant due to medical treatments, like chemotherapy.
You can check your state's insurance law policy at the National Infertility Association website.
The type of insurance matters
It's important to note that state fertility laws only apply to certain insurance plans. States can require coverage from:
Individual/family health plans: You or your family buys insurance directly from a company or the government marketplace.
Small or large group health plans that are fully insured: Your employer buys health insurance from an insurance company.
You won't benefit from your state's fertility laws if you have a self-insured group plan. This means your employer pays your health insurance bills directly. Most workers, or about 65% of people with employer-sponsored health benefits, have a self-insured plan. If you have this type of policy, your employer decides whether or not to cover IVF treatments.
At this time, Medicaid doesn't pay for IVF benefits in any states. But a few states do have Medicaid programs that cover other fertility services.
How to know what your insurance plan covers
To find out whether your insurance plan covers IVF:
Check your policy documents. Specifically, look at your summary of benefits and coverage.
Call your insurance company directly. Ask if your plan covers IVF. If it does, ask if there are limits, such as the number of cycles.
Talk to your human resources person. If your employer provides insurance, HR can tell you whether IVF is covered.
Questions to ask before you choose an insurance plan
If you think you might need IVF in the future, you'll want to carefully select a health plan. Here are some questions to ask your insurance company or HR person:
- Does this plan cover infertility benefits? If so, what are they?
- Does this policy cover tests, office visits, and procedures I might need to help doctors diagnose me?
- What specific fertility treatments, if any, does this plan cover?
- Are there coverage limits (such as the number of IVF rounds)?
- If this policy provides infertility coverage, do I have to use in-network providers, or can I choose my own?
How to Afford IVF
First, you should check with your insurance company or HR department to see exactly what your policy does and doesn't cover. Then, you can make a plan to pay for your IVF treatment.
Financing
There are many different financing options. You may want to:
Take out a loan. Some banks will give you a loan specifically for fertility treatments. A home equity loan, which typically offers lower interest rates, may also be an option.
Finance with your fertility clinic. Many clinics offer financing packages that let you pay monthly.
Try a shared-risk plan. These plans refund you partially or completely if you don't get pregnant.
Open a 0%-interest credit card. Some credit cards offer a 0% introductory interest rate if you have a good credit score.
Other ways to save
Here are other ways to save on your IVF costs:
Start a crowdfunding drive. If you're comfortable, you can use platforms like GoFundMe to raise money for IVF.
Factor in tax refunds. In some cases, medical expenses for IVF may be tax deductible. A professional accountant can help you figure this out.
Take advantage of a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA). These plans let you use pretax earnings to pay for medical expenses, like IVF.
See if you qualify for a clinical trial. Some clinical trials will cover all or part of your IVF procedure if you take part.
Check for grants or scholarships. Nonprofit organizations provide grants and scholarships to help people afford IVF. Some to check out: BabyQuest Foundation, Cade Foundation, or local charities.
Travel to a cheaper location. IVF may be more affordable in other countries, but don't forget to factor in travel costs.
Look for medication discounts. Drugmakers and pharmacies may offer discount programs to help you pay for medications.
Compare clinic costs. Certain fertility clinics charge more than others. It could be helpful to shop around.
Negotiate with your doctor. Some providers will work with you on the price if you can't afford it.
How to Budget
It's a good idea to create a budget for your IVF expenses. Here are some items you may want to include:
- Consultation fees
- Lab work
- Testing
- Medications
- Egg retrieval, fertilization, and embryo transfer
- Extra services like genetic testing
- Embryo or egg freezing and storage
- Donor or surrogate fees
- Travel expenses
- Time off from work
Try to estimate what your total costs will be. Then build a monthly plan for what you need to spend and save. You can track your expenses in a spreadsheet or budgeting app to stay on track.
While a budget is helpful, it's not always foolproof. You may want to add a buffer in case things don't go exactly as planned. For example, you might need more than one cycle of IVF.
You can also hire a professional financial expert to help you come up with a successful plan.
The Bottom Line
IVF is an expensive procedure. You also have to consider other costs, like lab fees, medications, storage charges, and more. Your insurance may or may not help you out. But there are ways to make IVF more affordable. Options like payment plans, 0% credit cards, grants, and other strategies can help. It's important to plan ahead and set a clear budget. This will make the process less stressful, so you can focus on starting a family.
Show Sources
Photo Credit: E+/Getty Images
SOURCES:
Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology: "Impact of in vitro fertilization state mandates for third party insurance coverage in the United States: a review and critical assessment."
Stanford: "Striking Costs of Infertility Point to Importance of IVF Access and Affordability."
Healthinsurance.org: "Does health insurance cover IVF and other fertility treatments?"
Victorian Assisted Reproductive Treatment Authority (VARTA): "How likely are you to have a baby after one, two or three IVF cycles?"
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center: "Paying for IVF and Other Reproductive Health Services."
Loma Linda University: "How Much Does IVF Cost?"
Irish Medical Journal: "The hidden costs of IVF."
NYU Langone Health: "Embryo, Egg & Sperm Storage Fees."
American Surrogacy: "How Much Does It Cost to Keep Embryos Frozen? [Embryo Options]."
Reproductive Partners Medical Group: "How Much Does IVF Cost? A Breakdown of In Vitro Fertilization Expenses."
Resolve: "About Insurance Coverage," "Financing Programs for Fertility Treatment."
KFF: "2024 Employer Health Benefits Survey."
American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM): "Financial 'risk-sharing' or refund programs in assisted reproduction: an Ethics Committee opinion."
Internal Revenue Service: "Medical and Dental Expenses."
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. "What is a flexible spending account (FSA) card or health savings account card (HSA)?"
