IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) is one of the most effective fertility treatments available, but it comes with a significant price tag. Understanding the full cost breakdown helps you plan financially and explore ways to make treatment more affordable.
Key Cost Factors
- •Geographic location - Costs vary significantly by state and clinic
- •Clinic reputation - Top clinics may charge premium prices
- •Individual factors - Age and diagnosis affect medication dosing
- •Add-on services - ICSI, genetic testing, freezing add costs
Complete IVF Cost Breakdown
Here's what you can expect to pay for each component of a standard IVF cycle:
| Cost Item | Low Estimate | High Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Consultation & Testing | $500 | $1,500 |
| IVF Medications | $3,000 | $7,000 |
| Monitoring (Ultrasounds & Blood Work) | $1,000 | $2,500 |
| Egg Retrieval Procedure | $3,000 | $5,000 |
| Anesthesia | $500 | $1,000 |
| Sperm Processing | $200 | $500 |
| Fertilization (IVF or ICSI) | $1,500 | $3,500 |
| Embryo Culture | $1,000 | $2,000 |
| Embryo Transfer | $1,000 | $2,500 |
| Facility Fees | $1,000 | $3,000 |
| Total Base IVF Cost | $12,700 | $28,500 |
Additional IVF Costs
Beyond the base cycle, many patients need or choose additional services:
ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection)
$1,500 - $2,500Direct injection of sperm into egg, often recommended for male factor infertility
PGT-A (Genetic Testing)
$3,000 - $6,000Tests embryos for chromosomal abnormalities before transfer
Embryo Freezing
$1,000 - $2,000Initial freezing of extra embryos
Annual Embryo Storage
$500 - $1,000/yearYearly fee to keep embryos frozen
Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET)
$3,000 - $5,000Transfer of previously frozen embryos
Egg Freezing
$10,000 - $15,000Preserve eggs for future use
Donor Eggs
$25,000 - $40,000Fresh or frozen donor eggs plus IVF
Donor Sperm
$500 - $1,500Per vial from sperm bank
Gestational Carrier
$100,000 - $200,000Surrogate plus legal, medical, agency fees
IVF Costs by State
Where you live (or choose to travel for treatment) significantly impacts cost:
| State | Average Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| California | $18,000 - $25,000 | High cost, many clinics, some mandate coverage |
| New York | $15,000 - $22,000 | Required insurance coverage since 2020 |
| Texas | $12,000 - $18,000 | Lower costs, no mandate |
| Massachusetts | $15,000 - $20,000 | Strong mandate, good coverage |
| Illinois | $14,000 - $20,000 | Mandate requires coverage |
| Florida | $12,000 - $17,000 | Lower costs, no mandate |
How to Pay for IVF
1. Insurance Coverage
Some states mandate fertility coverage. Check if your employer offers fertility benefits - many large companies now include IVF coverage. States with mandates include:
- Massachusetts, New York, Illinois, New Jersey
- Connecticut, Maryland, Rhode Island, Delaware
- Colorado (2022), Maine (2022)
2. Fertility Financing
Several companies specialize in fertility loans:
- Prosper Healthcare Lending - 0% intro APR options
- CapexMD - Fertility-specific financing
- Future Family - Loans plus nurse support
- Lending Club - Personal loans for medical expenses
3. Clinic Payment Plans
Many clinics offer:
- Multi-cycle packages - Discounted rates for 2-3 cycles
- Shared risk programs - Refund if no live birth
- In-house financing - Payment plans over 12-24 months
4. Grants and Scholarships
Free money for fertility treatment does exist:
- Baby Quest Foundation - Grants up to $16,000
- The Cade Foundation - Family building grants
- Pay It Forward Fertility - IVF scholarships
- Starfish Infertility Foundation - Hispanic community grants
5. Other Options
- HSA/FSA - Use pre-tax dollars for IVF expenses
- 401k loans - Borrow from retirement (not ideal)
- Home equity - HELOC for lower interest rates
- Crowdfunding - GoFundMe for fertility
Ways to Save on IVF
How Many Cycles Will You Need?
The average number of IVF cycles needed varies by age:
- Under 35: 1-2 cycles average (40% success per cycle)
- 35-37: 2-3 cycles average (30% success per cycle)
- 38-40: 2-4 cycles average (20% success per cycle)
- Over 40: 3-6 cycles average (10-15% success per cycle)
This means total costs could range from $15,000 to over $100,000 depending on how many cycles are needed for success.
Calculate Your IVF Costs
Use our IVF calculators to estimate costs, timeline, and success rates.