IVF is more expensive than other infertility treatments like IUIs (Intrauterine Insemination). But when IVF is inevitable, you will need to compare the prices of different fertility clinics and plan appropriately. IVF being partly a medical procedure, your insurance provider may cover part of the costs, but not all of it. Consider all possible options for raising money to afford IVF. Here are estimates of all the costs to expect when undergoing IVF.
IVF Cost Estimates
According to what the reproductive endocrinologist Amy Schutt, M.D., told Parents, undergoing basic IVF treatment in the US could set you back roughly $12, 000 for the following processes in one cycle:
- Egg retrieval
- Fertilizing with sperms.
- Placing the embryo (fertilized egg) into the uterus.
- Blood tests.
- Ultrasound.
- Anesthesia.
- Monitoring appointments.
$12,000 is only the national average. This price could go as low as $5,000 and as high as $30,000. As you shop around for an affordable fertility clinic, also consider the clinic's success rates. Some fertility clinics offer 3 cycle IVF packages. A 3-cycle package is cheaper than three independent cycles in case the first and second treatment fails. But if you get pregnant on the first attempt, you will have paid an unnecessary extra fee. A consultation will help determine the likelihood of getting pregnant. Thus, you will know the best IVF treatment package to take.
There are always extra costs associated with IVF. Here are some of the additional costs to expect.
IVF Medications: $3,000 to $5,000
To maximize the chances of success, the woman will need injections of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) medication called Gonadotropins for about 8 to 14 days. A daily injection (typically done at home) stimulates the ovaries to produce many eggs for retrieval and fertilization. Doctors aim to harvest at least 15 eggs for better odds.
IVF medication costs are always charged separately from the treatment. According to Fertility Center, you may need other medications besides FSH, including:
- Oral contraceptives- taken before the treatment to regulate your cycle.
- Down-regulation medications that suppress natural ovulation.
- Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG).
- Progesterone medication.
- Estrogen medications.
- Antibiotics
- Baby Aspirin.
- Folic acid and prenatal vitamins.
ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection): $1,000 - $2,000
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection is recommended for male infertility, low sperm count, or abnormally shaped sperms. While in IVF, the eggs and sperms fertilize independently in a petri dish, ICSI injects the sperm directly into the egg for higher success rates. Some fertility clinics provide IVF-ICSI packages at the $12,000 price tag. But in other clinics, ICSI is charged separately from the IVF cost.
Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT): $3,000 - $7,000
For older couples or couples who undergo IVF to avoid possible genetic disorders/birth defects, preimplantation genetic testing is recommended to select only the healthiest embryo. PGT also allows you to select the baby’s gender. According to Arc Fertility, preimplantation genetic testing involves two processes done in one procedure:
- PGD (preimplantation genetic diagnosis) – screens the embryos for known and unknown genetic abnormalities.
- PGS (preimplantation genetic screening) – screens the embryos for chromosome abnormalities, e.g., an unusual number of chromosomes.
Even if your insurance covers IVF, you will likely pay for PGT yourself.
Frozen Embryo Transfer: $3,000 - $5,000
According to Very Well Family, using frozen embryos from a previous IVF cycle will cost you less than starting a fresh IVF cycle. The cost for thawing the embryo and transferring it to the uterus could cost as little as $700 to as high as $6,800, depending on the fertility clinic. You may need FET if the first IVF cycle is unsuccessful or if you wish to expand your family after a successful pregnancy.
Embryo Freezing: $600
After fertilizing the eggs at the start of your IVF cycle, you can store the embryos for many years at low temperatures in the fertility clinic. The unused high-quality embryos are frozen or cryopreserved and billed annually. The annual fee could range between $350 to $1,200. Some clinics store the embryo free of charge for the first year.
According to Fertility, the embryos' quality does not lower when frozen or stored for many years. The longest stored documented embryo lasted 19 years in a clinic and developed into a healthy baby when used.
Egg/Sperm Donation IVF: $10,000 - $40,000
A donor egg IVF cycle is expensive, especially in high-demand areas, but the prices vary in different fertility clinics. Using a donor egg is expensive because of legal fees, reimbursing the donors, and the rigorous process of finding a donor. A donor sperm could cost you $500 to $1,000, excluding the shipment and storage fees. A batch of donor eggs could cost you $10,000 to $20,000.
Surrogacy: $50,000 - $150,000
According to Healthline, the surrogacy cost depends mainly on the surrogate agency, but additional costs include insurance, travel, accommodation, legal fees, IVF costs, monitoring, and medications.
Transportation Costs: Varied
As you choose a fertility clinic, compare the different price quotes and the clinic's success rate. Some clinics have online support where you can ask for more information. It is best to ask for references (i.e., successful IVF parents) to determine the quality of services. Depending on the clinic you choose, plan for the transport costs and accommodation costs if you are going outside the country.
Sources: Healthline, Fertility, Very Well Family, Arc Fertility, Fertility Center, Parents