Calculating the Costs of IVF

How Variable Treatments Affect the Total Cost of In Vitro Fertilization "How much does IVF Cost?" The answer depends on the number of cycles required, and/or the costs of any additional ART. However, changing legislation for medical insurance companies, and financing options, have made IVF more affordable for many couples. One of the most seemingly prohibitive factors for couples interested in In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) can be the cost. In the United States, the average cost for a single cycle of IVF will usually fall somewhere in between $12,000 to $16,000. However, there are many factors involved when a clinic quotes a specific price. It is important for couples to understand that multiple cycles, or additional assisted reproductive technology, will add more to the final price tag. How Much Does IVF Cost? While shopping around for IVF quotes, couples may notice a significant variable in pricing. The difference between $12,000 and $15,000 is a large percentage of the total cost. As such, couples need to verify exactly what procedures and/or medications are included in the prices quoted by a particular egg donor bank. For example, some egg donor banks advertise IVF treatments for as low as $10,000. However, what they don't advertise is that fertility medications and/or hormonal injections, ultrasounds, and other necessary medical treatments involved in IVF are billed separately. This can make the final bill surprisingly higher than the original quote. When asking, "How much does IVF cost," clients need to consider the following four factors: 1. Fresh vs. Frozen Eggs: Fresh donor egg cycles, where the eggs are harvested and immediately inseminated with sperm, have been the most common form of IVF treatments. Oocyte cryopreservation - using precise scientific freezing and storing of donor eggs - has only been a viable option for the past 7 years. Fresh donor egg cycles cost about two times more, approximately $26,000, than frozen donor egg options. If you want to learn more about the cost of donor egg services, click here for examples of prices and procedures. 2. Additional Assisted Reproductive Technologies: Sometimes additional assisted reproductive technology (ART) is required for successful fertilization, or a healthy birth, to take place. This can increase the initial price for IVF services. Additional technologies include things like: o Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) - Pronounced "ik-see", ICSI is the process of manually injecting eggs with a single sperm for fertilization. This is done in about half of all IVF treatments, especially in cases where the first IVF cycle was unsuccessful. The average added cost for this process is about $1500. o Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis. Some couples desire a process called Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) in which fertilized eggs are screened for congenital diseases and/or chromosomal abnormalities prior to implantation. This can add an additional $3000 or more to the total IVF cycle's cost. 3. Multiple Cycles. Couples should be prepared for the fact that repeat IVF cycles might be required. Although the success rates of IVF are increasing as technological advances perfect the process, it is common for women to need repeat cycles until IVF is successful. 4. Remaining Embryos. If you still have frozen embryos from a previous IVF cycle, the price should be significantly lowered. The average cost for a frozen embryo transfer (FET) is $3000. Women should always discuss IVF costs with their medical insurance company. In some states, insurance companies are required to cover a portion of fertility diagnosis and treatment costs. If price is a prohibitive factor, couples should ask clinics about their financing options. Most clinics offer some form of financing, which can help to make IVF an affordable option for couples who want to experience the miracle of pregnancy and live birth.