After making the big decision to try for a baby, not being able to conceive can be a very emotional experience. Finding out that you need fertility treatment may amplify these feelings, with the stress of how you’ll pay for treatment adding even more pressure.
The cost of fertility services can vary widely, depending on your clinic and the medications used in your treatment cycle. On average, one cycle can cost:
for intrauterine insemination (IUI)
for in-vitro fertilization (IVF)
Although these numbers can be daunting, there’s good news: There are many ways to help make treatment more financially accessible, including insurance coverage, savings programs, and financing options.
You may have heard that insurance doesn’t usually cover fertility treatments, but that’s beginning to change. Many companies are starting to recognize the importance of fertility assistance and choosing plans that include treatment benefits.
Where you live can also impact coverage—19 US states currently have insurance requirements in place for infertility treatment:
If your employer’s health plan doesn’t cover fertility treatments, you can talk to them about making a change.
If you live in a state with infertility coverage laws, it’s still important to verify the type of plan your employer has. In some cases, your plan may not provide coverage. Check on whether:
Once you’ve verified that coverage exists, your insurance provider can help you understand your plan’s benefits and limitations, referral requirements, and whether preauthorization is necessary. It’s also important to confirm drug coverage for infertility medications.
Submitting a predetermination of benefit letter to your insurance company before treatment can give you a better idea of the costs you’ll be responsible for.
If you have questions about insurance coverage for fertility treatment, assistance is available. Call 1-866-LETS-TRY for support.
Some fertility drug manufacturers offer savings programs to help make treatment more affordable. Many people can benefit, including:
Your fertility clinic can answer questions about the types of drugs they’ll prescribe for treatment. Program information can usually be found on the drug manufacturer’s website.
If you’re eligible for medication savings, you may only be able to have prescriptions filled at certain pharmacies. Because the same medication can vary in price dramatically, it’s important to verify participating pharmacies before having medication filled.
Learn about programs that can help make several common fertility drugs more affordable here.
Treatment clinics understand the financial hardships you are facing. Many offer affordable payment plans, have relationships with financing companies, and offer medication discounts.
Some clinics offer package pricing. These allow you to pay a discounted price upfront for a certain number of treatment cycles. You usually won’t receive money back if you’re successful on your first try, but some programs will offer a refund if you reach the end of your package without success.
For people who need help paying for infertility treatment, grants and scholarships are available from nonprofit organizations. Eligibility requirements and application deadlines must be met.
Your employer may offer special accounts to help you save on medical costs. These include:
The money you defer to these accounts isn’t taxable, making them great cost-saving tools for treatment expenses.
If there’s a good amount of equity in your home, using a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit may offer a way to fund treatment. Talk to a professional to have a clear understanding of the terms and timeline.
As of 2022, you can deduct only the amount of unreimbursed allowable medical care expenses paid during the year for yourself, your spouse, and/or dependents that exceeds 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. Ask your tax professional for details and keep accurate records of your paid expenses throughout the year. Visit IRS.gov to learn more.
Learn about the IVF process, from pre-cycle testing to embryo transfer, and discover essential information on success rates, possible side effects, and what to expect at each stage.
Explore the IVF process, factors influencing success rates, and more to go into the process prepared with the knowledge you need.
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