The financial burden of in vitro fertilization (IVF) may be important for couples struggling with infertility. Insurance may cover several aspects of treatment, but many costs remain on-site.
Understanding the various financing options can help you provide insight into what to consider before assuming debt to fund fertility treatments.
Understanding IVF Costs
The cost of an IVF varies greatly depending on the clinic, location, and the specific procedures required. For Denny Ceizyk, a senior writer on Bankrate’s loan team, IVF was $70,000 on a six-year journey from 1996 to 2002 before he and his wife welcomed their children. Adjusted for inflation, this will be around $144,000 in 2025.
For Ceizyk, IVF costs ranged from $6,000 for the Arizona basic cycle to $20,000 for the more advanced procedures in New Jersey. This included specialized treatment, medication and travel expenses. For $2025, this is between $12,340 and $41,150.
“Most of the cost was the ‘transfer’ day when the embryos were transferred to my wife after being cultivated for several days,” Ceizyk shared. “The unexpected costs included infertility drugs, which were not always explained in the initial price sheet. If it wasn’t progressing as planned, you had to scramble to buy the extra medication.”
These broad costs underscore why planning ahead is important. Even with insurance and clinic discounts, IVF is an important financial effort. Understanding the full range of potential costs helps you make informed decisions and avoid surprise bills along the way, understanding the unexpected advance payments.
Average cost of IVF and fertility treatment
This table decomposes IVF costs for each type of US city and region based on data collected by FertilityIQ. These costs include consultation costs such as ICSI and PGT-A, medications, and general add-on treatments. It reflects out-of-pocket costs and may not include hidden costs such as additional cycles, surveillance, travel.
|
Types of cost |
Atlanta |
Boston |
Chicago |
Los Angeles |
New Jersey |
New York City |
San Francisco |
Seattle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
consultation |
$282 |
$352 |
$438 |
$320 |
$408 |
$408 |
$410 |
$312 |
|
medicine |
$5,000 |
$5,000 |
$5,000 |
$5,000 |
$5,000 |
$5,000 |
$5,000 |
$5,000 |
|
ICSI |
$1,687 |
$1,280 |
$1,750 |
$1,763 |
$1,725 |
$2,500 |
$1,891 |
$900 |
|
PGT-A |
$4,800 |
$5,111 |
$5,425 |
$5,475 |
$5,000 |
$5,881 |
$5,202 |
$4,700 |
|
IVF |
$11,363 |
$8,267 |
$11,666 |
$13,325 |
$10,866 |
$9,705 |
$12,246 |
$12,450 |
|
Total IVF Cost |
$23,132 |
$20,010 |
$24,279 |
$25,883 |
$22,999 |
$23,494 |
$24,749 |
$23,363 |
| sauce: Fertilityiq |
It says that infertility insurance coverage will be required
Some states have laws that require insurance companies to provide or provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of infertility. These obligations vary widely in scope, from comprehensive IVF coverage to limited diagnostic tests.
Understand Coverage is required in which state – And what kinds – help you to better predict costs and explore all the available options.
People who are insured through state exchanges may also receive IVF coverage. Some states, such as California and Texas, require insurers in the state to provide IVF coverage. To find coverage requirements for the insurance you live in, National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL)detailing IVF coverage requirements for many states.
However, please note that the range of health insurance coverage for IVFs varies widely, even by health insurance company and the state in which you live. For example, New Jersey health insurance companies must provide coverage for infertility diagnosis and treatment. This mission involves covering in vitro fertilization.
In contrast, Louisiana law prohibits insurance companies from exclude coverage for diagnosis and treatment of conditions that lead to infertility, but insurance companies do not need to cover fertile drugs, in vitro fertilization or other assisted reproductive methods.
What to consider before funding an IVF?
It is essential to consider the full range of potential costs before pursuing an IVF.
“We have a price sheet that clearly lays out everything with each cycle,” Ceizyk said. “However, unexpected costs, such as extra blood tests due to side effects of egg growth drugs or emergency room visits, can quickly increase.”
IVF Payment: Savings and Other Options
For many couples, IVF funding needs to utilize multiple sources of funding. There are other ways to manage the high costs of IVFs beyond traditional loans and credit cards. These options may provide tax benefits, more flexibility, and even economic relief through grants and clinic partnerships.
Save money
Using personal savings is one of the easiest ways to pay for IVF treatment. This will avoid the debt, interest fees and loan approval process. All of these can add stress during already emotional hours. If you have available funds, tapping on savings may be the most cost-effective route.
Conversely, fertility treatment can cost tens of thousands of dollars, which can quickly drain emergency funds or delay other financial targets. If you are using IVF savings, consider creating a dedicated fertility fund separate from the typical savings.
Flexible Expense Accounts (FSAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
If you can access FSA or HSA Through insurance plans, these tax funds can be used to pay eligible IVF fees. Coverage varies, but these accounts typically allow you to use pre-tax dollars for some of your medication, lab work, diagnostic tests, and treatment. Be sure to check the specific rules for your plan regarding treatment options and how you pay for your expenses.
Infertility subsidies
Several nonprofits provide grants to individuals and couples undergoing fertility treatment. Programs like Cade Foundation, Baby Quest Foundation and Hope for fertility Provide financial assistance to cover IVF costs. Grants are very competitive and often require applications and personal stories, but can significantly offset the cost of recipients.
IVF personal loan
Personal loans become increasingly common to cover the high costs of fertility treatments, and lenders may offer IVF Loan Alternatively, you can pay for your medical treatment using a generic personal loan. Many lenders offer loans of up to $50,000 and can repay them in the period of five to seven years.
According to Haiyan Huang, Chief Credit Officer at Prosper, personal loans offer flexibility and could be a more predictable alternative to credit cards.
“Personal loans offer predictable monthly payments and fixed interest rates, which can be much lower than credit card fees,” explains Huang. Additionally, she advises borrowers to carefully assess their ability to pay off.
“Make sure your loan fits comfortably within your overall budget and consider the associated fees or interest rates. Maintaining a good credit score is important to ensure that you have a more favorable term.”
– Haiyan Huang, Chief Credit Officer of Prosper
If you plan to cover multiple cycles of IVF treatment, a personal loan may be your best option outside of savings and grants. They are not protected, so when you rent, you will not risk your home or other assets, and Personal loan fees Start with the current lowest of 6.49%.
Home Equity Products
If you expect your IVF to require multiple cycles, a home equity loan or home equity credit line may be useful. These products allow you to take advantage of the value of your home, and few people have specific restrictions on how you use your funds. Since your home is collateral for a loan, defaults can lead to foreclosure. Before applying, weigh the risks to your profits to ensure that this is a suitable funding route for your treatment.
Ceizyk initially used income from sales jobs to cover costs, but ultimately had to take out a $15,000 home equity line (HELOC) and use a credit card to cover additional costs.
“I liked Heloc because he had the lowest payments. We had no plans to sell the house anytime soon,” Ceizyk says. “The same contract as a credit card. I didn’t want to make a fixed payment every month, so if I had to pay $1,000 for drugs in a certain week, I needed the flexibility of minimum payments.”
– Denny Ceizyk, Senior Writer at Bankrate
Credit Card
Credit cards may be a good choice for the surprising costs that come with your IFV, but there may not be enough credit limits to cover the costs of the IVF cycle. That said, you can choose to use your credit card to cover some or all of your IVF costs. 0% Introductory APR. This gives you time to repay your balance without profits, but only if you are confident you can repay it before the promotion period ends. Otherwise, you could face interest rates of 25% or more.
Final Tips for IVF Candidates
If you are considering a personal loan or other financing option, Ceizyk shared some important advice. “First, find the full range of coverage with your employer. Success rate at your clinic Make sure you make the most of your financial investments. ”
IVF can be an emotionally and financially taxable journey. Exploring funding options from HELOC and credit cards to personal loans can provide important support in managing these costs. Understanding the full economic impact and planning ahead will allow future parents to navigate the IVF journey more confidently and effectively.
