Fertility Insurance: Providers That Help Make IVF Affordable

KEY POINTS:

• Fertility insurance coverage varies based on your provider, policy and state laws.
• Major fertility insurance providers like Progyny, Tricare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare, Aetna and Cigna offer different levels of IVF coverage.
• Grants, loans and payment plans are alternative ways to manage the cost of IVF.

The road to parenthood is exciting, but it can come with financial challenges. Fortunately, fertility insurance can help make in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments more affordable by covering some of the costs involved.

In this article, we’ll explain what fertility insurance is and highlight some well-known providers. We’ll also break down typical IVF expenses and explore additional financing options.

If you want a cost estimate of your IVF and surrogacy journey, reach out today. We’re here to help you budget for your family-building journey.

Does Insurance Cover In Vitro Fertilization?

Fertility insurance helps cover the costs of fertility treatments, including IVF. However, the cost of in vitro fertilization with insurance varies based on several factors. Here are three key elements that impact how much you pay for IVF out of pocket:

What Is the Best Insurance for Fertility Coverage?

Finding the best fertility insurance coverage requires researching your options and understanding what each company offers. Here are some of the major fertility insurance providers:

How to Review Your Insurance Policy

When reviewing your insurance policy for IVF coverage, there are a few key things to look for. Start by checking whether your plan includes fertility insurance coverage and, if so, what treatments are eligible. You can also contact your insurance provider with the following questions:

• Does my policy cover IVF, including egg retrieval, embryo transfer and fertility medications?
• Are there limits on the number of IVF cycles covered?
• Do I need prior authorization or a referral to begin treatment?
• Are any out-of-network providers covered?

How Much Does IVF Cost Without Insurance?

The average cost of an IVF cycle in the U.S. is around $21,600. Here’s a breakdown of typical IVF costs:

• Base fee (monitoring, egg retrieval, embryo creation and transfer): $9,000 to $14,000
• Consultation and diagnostic testing: $250 to $500
• Medications: $3,000 to $7,000
• Cyropreservation: $1,000 to $2,000
• Storage fees: $500 to $1,000
• Intracytoplasmic sperm injection: $1,000 to $2,000
• Genetic testing: $4,500 to $5,500
• Mock embryo transfer: $240 to $500
• Donor sperm (if needed): $1,000 to $1,500

3 Financing Options Outside of Fertility Insurance

If your insurance doesn’t cover enough of your IVF expenses, or if you don’t have fertility insurance coverage, there are other ways to finance your treatment:

• Grants: Some nonprofit organizations offer fertility grants to help cover the costs of IVF. These grants may have eligibility requirements, such as financial need or residency in a specific state.
• Loans: Many financial institutions offer personal loans specifically for fertility treatments. These loans allow you to spread out the cost of IVF over time, but be sure to consider interest rates and repayment terms.
• Payment plans: Some fertility clinics offer payment plans that let you pay for treatment in installments. This can make IVF more manageable.

If you’d like more information about financing your fertility treatments, fill out our contact form. We can help you explore your options.