People who are having difficulty becoming pregnant may be suitable candidates for IVF treatment. Because IVF is a multi-stage process, the treatment can be quite expensive. However, there are different costs and different payment options available. Here are some common questions about IVF pricing and payment options.
The cost of IVF in the United States will depend on which clinic a couple uses. On average, the initial cost of one basic IVF cycle can cost between $10,000-$15,000. Additional cycles can cost around $7,000 each. To reduce costs, a couple may choose to create extra embryos in the first cycle and freeze these for later use if the initial cycle is unsuccessful.
Fertility medications are a necessary part of the initial IVF process. Medications are needed to stimulate the production of mature eggs. The cost of medications is not included in the above estimates. Fertility drugs can cost between $1,500-$5,000 per cycle.
There are numerous additional costs associated with IVF. These are all related to extra treatments which couples may require. Some of these additional costs can include egg donation, blastocyst culture, preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), embryo freezing, embryo transfer, embryo storage, as well as sperm freezing and storage. The cost of these additional processes will vary.
In some states in the US, health insurance partially covers the cost of IVF. However, the covered cost will vary from state to state. In some cases, couples can lower the cost of infertility treatments by using health savings accounts (HSAs) and comparing what procedures are available.
The most important thing to do is to research different fertility clinics and compare costs and procedures. Patients should make sure only to pay for treatments and procedures that are deemed necessary. Patients can also talk to healthcare providers to find out how much health insurance will cover and to learn more about costs and payment options.
