How much does IVF cost?
How much does IVF cost?
$10,000 – $15,000 base fee per cycle
$15,000 – $30,000 total cost per cycle
Average IVF cost
IVF costs $10,000 to $15,000 per cycle for the clinic's base fee and $15,000 to $30,000 per cycle total on average. Your overall IVF treatment cost will depend on your age, insurance coverage, how many cycles you go through, and whether you use any donor eggs, sperm, or embryos.
| IVF fee type | Average cost per cycle | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Base fee | $10,000 – $15,000 | Lab work, anesthesia, embryo creation, and implantation |
| Additional fees | $5,000 – $15,000 | Genetic testing and medications |
| Total cost | $15,000 – $30,000 | This total includes the base fee, prescription fertility medication, and genetic testing of the embryo. It may also include frozen or donor embryos and embryo storage. |
Base fee
Most clinics charge a base fee of $10,000 to $15,000 per cycle that covers essential services and appointments. Make sure you ask for a detailed list to avoid hidden fees or unexpected charges. Most clinics include the following services in their base fee:
Facility and laboratory fees
Lab work, monitoring, and imaging
Egg retrieval, or extracting eggs from the ovaries
Anesthesia during egg retrieval
Embryo creation
Embryo transfer, or placing 1+ embryos in the uterus
Additional fees
Most couples spend $5,000 to $15,000 per cycle in additional fees not included in the base fee. This includes prescription fertility medication and genetic testing, which are billed separately. You may also choose to pay extra for optional services like frozen or donor embryos or embryo storage.
Some clinics offer mini IVF or low-dose IVF for $3,000 to $8,000 per cycle (base fee). This option is less common, less invasive, and uses a lower dose of hormones, but it retrieves fewer eggs.
IVF price factors
IVF is an expensive treatment that can be financially challenging as well as emotionally taxing. Several factors can affect the overall cost:
Number of cycles: The more cycles it takes to achieve a successful pregnancy, the more you'll pay. If the first embryo the doctor implants is successful, you'll only have to pay for one cycle. Most couples go through 2 to 3 cycles, but it can take up to 6 cycles for some.
Insurance: Many states mandate total or partial IVF coverage in insurance policies, but the coverage varies and is often limited. Check your specific insurance policy to see which aspects of IVF it covers.
Consultation: Some clinics provide free IVF consultations or include them in their base fee, but most fertility specialists charge $200 to $500 for this service.
Age: Women in their 20s and 30s are more likely to have success during the first 1 to 3 cycles. Women over 40 usually need more cycles than average and end up paying more.
Reason for infertility: The reasons for infertility will determine how likely IVF is to be effective. Individuals with endometriosis, PCOS, blocked fallopian tubes, or low sperm count are good candidates for IVF. Patients with fibroids or uterine abnormalities may require surgery or other interventions.
Lifestyle: Certain habits and behaviors affect sperm and egg quality and may result in unsuccessful IVF treatments, costing more money in the long run. These factors include smoking, marijuana use, an unhealthy diet, and an extremely high or low BMI.
Donors: You can use donor eggs, sperm, or embryos instead of your own. However, this often costs more, depending on whether they are fresh or frozen and have any storage fees.
You can use the CDC's IVF Success Estimator to determine your likelihood of success. This tool generates estimates for people between 20 to 50 years of age.
Reducing IVF costs
IVF can be completely out of reach for many people without insurance or some sort of financial aid. The following tips can help reduce out-of-pocket costs and make IVF more affordable:
Look for IVF grants offered by nonprofits like Gift of Parenthood or Cade Foundation. Eligibility depends on factors like your location, income, and marital status.
Shop around and compare prices at different clinics.
Look for discounts for military service or paying upfront for 2 or more cycles.
Use pre-tax dollars with a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA).
Reduce medication costs with services like GoodRx.
Ask the clinic if they have any financing options.
FAQs about IVF
What is IVF?
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a fertility treatment that uses a simple surgery to implant a pre-fertilized egg directly into the uterus. Doctors can use frozen embryos or create fresh embryos for implantation.
According to the Pew Research Center, 10% of women in the U.S. have used some kind of fertility assistance, and about 2% of those women have received IVF.
Does insurance cover IVF?
Insurance coverage varies from state to state and from policy to policy. Many insurance policies cover at least part of the IVF process, including:
Fertility-related diagnoses
Preservation methods like freezing eggs
Egg or embryo storage
The IVF procedure itself
Genetic testing and medication
How long does IVF take?
One cycle of IVF typically takes 4 to 8 weeks, depending on where you are in your menstrual cycle when you start. This process includes the consultation, hormone injection, egg retrieval, embryo creation, implantation, and a pregnancy test.
Can you choose gender with IVF?
Yes, you can choose the baby's gender with IVF by testing the embryo before implanting. However, such practices are not always accurate and aren't always ethical. Sometimes, the embryos that are the desired gender end up not being viable.
Is IVF painful?
Some parts of the IVF process can be uncomfortable, but it's usually not painful. Some patients experience cramping or pressure during the egg retrieval, so many clinics use anesthesia for the procedure.
Questions to ask your doctor about IVF
IVF is a significant, life-changing procedure. Choosing the right provider is key, and asking the following questions can help you make the best choice possible:
How much experience do you have with IVF?
How many successful embryos have you implanted?
How many eggs do you usually retrieve?
What is the reason for our infertility?
Am I a good candidate for IVF?
Do you offer mini IVF at your clinic?
Will you store my eggs, sperm, or embryos here or at another location?
How long will this cycle take?
Do you offer discounts for additional cycles if this one isn't successful?
What do you include in your base fee, and how much do you charge for medication and genetic testing?
What lifestyle changes do you recommend to improve my chances of a successful pregnancy?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.