IVF Costs: Understanding the Financial Journey Ahead

One of the most common concerns for patients at the start of their fertility journey is understanding what exactly IVF costs. The Prima team sat down with AJ Rosenfield, the Director of Client Relations at CapexMD, one of our financing partners who specializes in fertility treatment, to learn more about how to make IVF more affordable. 

What Contributes to the Cost of IVF?

IVF is a highly individualized process, so the cost can vary dramatically depending on your treatment plan. As AJ explains, IVF costs are not set in stone- they can range from $3,000 for less complex procedures like IUI (intrauterine insemination) to over $50,000 for more advanced treatments like donor eggs or surrogacy. “The best person to guide you on what your costs will be is your fertility doctor,” AJ advises. 

Clinics typically provide a range of potential costs, which can be frustrating for patients who want more specific information upfront. However, the variability is due to how unpredictable the process can be because some patients will need more medical interventions than others. It can be helpful to ask your doctor about what your initial quote does- and doesn’t- include. Asking about how much these additional treatments can cost can show how your budget for IVF can change. Your clinic might also provide discounts if you pay for multiple cycles upfront- it’s worth asking your clinic if they have any shared risk or discount programs.

Grants and Discount Programs

There are many companies and organizations that can help lower the overall cost of treatment. “There are a number of institutions that provide fertility grants, and patients should definitely explore these options,” says AJ. “Sometimes it's as simple as putting your name in the hat, and you could end up getting a significant amount of financial assistance.” Resolve, the National Infertility Association, has a list of grant and financial aid programs that can help as a jumping off point for patients looking for help paying for care.

In addition to grants, pharmaceutical companies often offer discount programs for fertility medications. Serono’s Compassionate Care Program  can provide you with a discount on Gonal-F, Ovidrel, and Cetrotide, depending on your family’s financial circumstances. Ferring offers a number of programs that can reduce the cost of Menopur, including the Heart Tomorrow Program for cash pay patients undergoing egg freezing, Heart for Heroes for veterans and their spouses, and Heart Beat for cancer patients. "Applying for these programs can save you thousands of dollars, and there’s no penalty for applying," AJ advises. 

Employer Benefits

More employers are recognizing the importance of fertility benefits and are offering programs to help their employees with the cost of IVF. AJ encourages patients to check with their HR departments to see what benefits might be available: "These benefits weren't available 10 to 15 years ago, but now many employers are offering fertility coverage, which can make a huge difference."  Employer benefits can cover the costs of treatment for egg freezing, IVF, surrogacy, or adoption, depending on your company’s specific plan.

Employer benefits can help offset the cost of starting a family, and sometimes they can provide resources beyond funding to help you throughout your fertility, such as access to counseling. 

What to Ask Your Insurance Provider

If you have health insurance, it’s crucial to find out exactly what is and isn’t covered. “Some states have mandates that require insurance companies to cover fertility treatments, but not all do,” AJ notes. Patients should ask about lifetime caps, medication coverage, and whether third-party reproduction (like egg or sperm donation) is included.

Even if your employer doesn’t offer full coverage, they may provide partial benefits or a lifetime cap on fertility treatments, which can still ease the financial burden. If your insurance coverage has a lifetime cap, get in touch with the Prima team. Sometimes, you might end up saving money in the long run by taking advantage of manufacturer discounts that cash pay patients have access to, and using your coverage towards treatments that don’t offer any discounts for patients paying out of pocket.

For additional information on how to navigate your insurance coverage, check out our fertility benefits checklist, which helps patients navigate the complicated world of insurance coverage. AJ explains, "Knowing what to ask your insurance company can save you a lot of time and confusion.”

Understanding Your Financing Options

Financing, or taking out a loan, can help patients afford treatment by spreading out the cost of treatment into smaller payments over time. While patients can look into personal loans offered by banks, credit unions, and online lenders, companies that specialize in financing fertility treatment can work directly with your fertility clinic or pharmacy. This means that you don’t have to worry about managing payments between multiple providers. "We handle everything seamlessly by paying providers directly, ensuring that patients can focus on their treatment rather than dealing with the logistics of payments," says AJ. This can be helpful for patients who don’t want to worry about the logistics of making multiple payments to different providers.

However, loans from financing partners that specialize in fertility treatment usually come with some restrictions in how you use the funding. For example, at CapexMD, patients can use their funding for additional treatments such as donor eggs and surrogacy, but not for costs like travel and accommodations if they are working with an out-of-town fertility clinic.

It's essential to shop around for a personal loan that fits your financial needs. Interest rates can vary significantly depending on your credit score, financial situation, and loan term. Be sure to ask about repayment terms, including whether there are any prepayment penalties. As with any loan, it’s important to carefully review the interest rates and terms before deciding which partner is right for you.  

There are many options available to help you and your family make your family planning dreams a reality. If you’d like some help with navigating financial resources available to you, reach out to a member of our team today.