You’re researching frozen embryo transfer cost because you need real numbers, not vague ranges that don’t help you plan. Maybe you’re already deep into your fertility journey, or you’re trying to figure out if you can afford to take this next step. Either way, you deserve straightforward answers.
Here’s what most clinics won’t tell you upfront: the national average for a frozen embryo transfer (FET) ranges from $3,000 to $6,900 for the base procedure alone. But that’s just the starting point, and honestly, it’s where the confusion begins for most people.
The frustrating reality is that your FET costs vary wildly, depending on dozens of variables: your insurance coverage, which medications you need, where you live, and whether this is your first attempt or your third. Some patients pay as little as $2,000 with insurance and a straightforward protocol. Others end up spending $10,000 or more when you factor in everything that’s not included in that base price.
This guide breaks down exactly what you’ll pay, what’s typically included (and what’s not), and how to avoid the surprise fees that catch so many people off guard. We’ll cover the core services you’re paying for, the hidden medical expenses that add up quickly, and realistic strategies for managing costs without compromising your care.
Frozen Embryo Transfer Cost Overview
What Is the Average Cost of a Frozen Embryo Transfer?
The national average sits between $3,000 and $6,900 for the procedure itself (the actual transfer and basic monitoring).
Frozen Embryo Transfer Cost Comparison
| Service Level | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Base procedure only | $3,000 - $6,900 |
| Procedure + medications | $3,500 - $8,400 |
| Complete cycle (all services) | $4,500 - $12,000+ |
What affects where you fall:
- Natural cycle FET: $2,000-$3,000 (minimal medication).
- Standard medicated FET: $3,000-$6,900 (most common).
- Major metro areas: $5,000-$7,000+ before medications.
Two people at the same clinic can have bills that differ by $3,000+. Always ask for a detailed estimate based on your actual protocol.
What’s Typically Included in the Base Frozen Embryo Transfer Fee
Base fees usually include:
- Embryo thawing and lab preparation.
- The transfer procedure (5-10 minutes).
- Initial consultation and treatment planning.
- Basic monitoring appointments (varies by clinic).
- Post-transfer pregnancy test (beta hCG).
The problem? One clinic’s “basic monitoring” means 3-4 appointments, while another charges separately after the first visit. Get an itemized breakdown showing what’s included versus what costs extra. Ask: “How many monitoring appointments are included?” and “What happens if I need more?”
Common Additional Costs Not Included in Base Price
Even when you know what’s included in your base FET fee, you’re not done budgeting. Here are the costs that catch most people off guard:
| Expense Category | Typical Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Fertility medications | $500 - $1,500+ |
| Extra monitoring appointments | $250 - $500 |
| Blood work and ultrasounds | $300 - $800 |
| Anesthesia/sedation | $200 - $500 |
| Assisted hatching or lab procedures | $500 - $1,000 |
Each ultrasound costs $200-$300, each blood draw $75-$150. Three extra monitoring visits? That’s $900-$1,350. Medications are almost never included: expect $500-$1,500 depending on your protocol.
Most people pay $2,000-$4,000 beyond their quoted base price.
The Complete Cost Breakdown: What You’ll Actually Pay
Medications and Pharmacy Costs
Common Frozen Embryo Transfer Medications and Costs:
| Medication Type | Forms Available | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Estrogen | Patches, pills, injections | $200 - $500 |
| Progesterone | Injections, suppositories, vaginal gel | $300 - $1,000 |
| GnRH agonists | Lupron, others | $100 - $400 |
| Additional support meds | Varies by protocol | $100 - $300 |
Total: $500-$1,500+ depending on your protocol.
Natural cycle FET needs minimal medications (just progesterone support). Medicated FET requires weeks of estrogen plus progesterone and possibly suppression medications. Progesterone alone ranges from $300 (suppositories) to $1,000+ (injectable).
Ways to Reduce Costs:
- Shop multiple pharmacies: prices vary $400-$800 for identical medications.
- Ask about generics (save 30-50% when available).
- Use manufacturer coupons and patient assistance programs.
- Check if insurance covers medications separately.
Monitoring and Lab Work
You’ll need regular monitoring throughout your FET cycle to track medication response and uterine lining development.
What’s involved:
- Baseline ultrasound and blood work.
- Lining checks (2-4 transvaginal ultrasounds).
- Hormone level blood tests.
- Final pregnancy test 9-12 days post-transfer.
Cost: $250-$800 per cycle. Appointment frequency varies: some need 2-3 appointments, others need weekly checks if their lining develops slowly.
Embryo Storage Fees
If you have frozen embryos remaining after transfer, annual storage fees are $300-$600 per year. First year is often included with your original IVF cycle.
Storing embryos for 5 years at $500/year costs $2,500 total, which is still cheaper than another full cycle at $12,000-$20,000.
Optional Add-Ons That Increase Costs
Your doctor may recommend additional procedures or testing that can significantly increase your total FET costs. These are optional but may improve outcomes for certain patients.
| Procedure | Cost Range | When Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| PGT/PGS genetic testing | $3,000 - $5,000 | Testing embryos for chromosomal abnormalities (usually done before freezing) |
| Assisted hatching | $500 - $1,000 | May help embryos implant, especially for older patients or after failed transfers |
| ERA testing | $600 - $900 | Determines optimal transfer timing if you've had multiple failed FETs |
| Embryo glue | $200 - $400 | Substance that may help embryo adhere to uterine lining |
These aren’t necessary for everyone. Preimplantation genetic testing is typically done during IVF, not during FET.
Hidden Costs and Surprise Fees to Watch For
Administrative and Facility Fees
Beyond medical costs, administrative charges can add several hundred dollars to your bill.
Common Fees include:
| Fee Type | Cost | When It Applies |
|---|---|---|
| Initial consultation | $150-$400 | Sometimes applied to treatment, sometimes not |
| Records transfer | $50-$200 | Switching clinics or requesting copies |
| Cancellation fees | $500-$1,500 | Cycle cancelled after starting medications |
| Weekend/holiday procedures | $200-$500 | Transfer falls on weekend/holiday |
| Anesthesia | $200-$500 | If sedation isn't included in base package |
The weekend/holiday fee catches people off guard because you can’t control when your transfer happens: it’s based on cycle timing. If your optimal day falls on a Saturday, some clinics charge extra for weekend staffing.
Ask about these fees upfront. Some clinics are transparent; others only mention them when you’re already committed.
Travel and Logistics Costs
If you don’t live near your clinic, non-medical expenses add up quickly.
Budget for:
- Transportation: Gas, tolls, public transit, or flights ($200-$1,000+).
- Accommodations: Hotel stays for multiple days near clinic ($300-$800).
- Time off work: Lost wages without paid time off (varies).
- Childcare: Care during appointments ($100-$500).
- Parking: $10-$30 per visit over multiple appointments ($50-$200 total).
Total logistics costs: $500-$2,000+
A typical FET cycle needs 4-6 clinic visits over 3-4 weeks. Driving 2 hours each way? That’s 8-12 hours of travel plus gas. Flying from another state? You might need several days near the clinic around your transfer.
Sometimes it’s cheaper to travel to a lower-cost clinic in another city and pay for a hotel than use your local high-priced clinic. Run the numbers for your situation.
Failed Cycle Considerations
Not every frozen embryo transfer results in pregnancy. You need to budget for this reality.
Financial impact:
- Cancelled before transfer: Lining doesn’t develop properly = $1,000-$3,000 in medication and monitoring costs without doing a transfer.
- Failed transfer: Transfer happens but no pregnancy = full amount spent ($4,500-$12,000+), need to decide on next attempt.
- Multiple attempts: Many couples need 2-3 FET cycles.
Success rates by age (per transfer):
| Age | Success Rate |
|---|---|
| Under 35 | 50-60% |
| 35-37 | 40-50% |
| 38-40 | 30-40% |
| 41-42 | 20-30% |
| Over 42 | 10-20% |
Most people should budget for at least 2-3 FET attempts from the start. Under 35? There’s a good chance your first transfer works, but also a 40-50% chance it won’t. Over 38? Likelihood of needing multiple cycles increases significantly.
Realistic budgeting:
- Under 35: Plan for 1-2 transfers ($4,500-$13,000 total).
- 35-40: Plan for 2-3 transfers ($9,000-$20,000 total).
- Over 40: Plan for 3-4+ transfers ($13,500-$28,000+ total).
This isn’t meant to discourage you: it’s realistic planning. Many clinics offer multi-cycle packages or shared-risk programs that reduce per-cycle costs when you commit to multiple attempts upfront.
Major Factors That Affect Frozen Embryo Transfer Costs
Your frozen embryo transfer cost isn’t one fixed number: it changes based on several key factors, and understanding these can help you anticipate where your bill will land.
Geographic Location and Clinic Choice
FET costs vary significantly depending on where you live. And it’s not subtle: we’re talking thousands of dollars in difference.
| Region | Base FET Cost |
|---|---|
| Northeast | $5,000 - $7,500 |
| West Coast | $4,500 - $7,000 |
| Southeast | $3,000 - $5,500 |
| Midwest | $3,000 - $5,000 |
| Southwest | $3,500 - $6,000 |
Big cities mean higher costs. Manhattan or San Francisco clinics pay more for rent, staff, and equipment, and those costs transfer to you.
States with insurance mandates for fertility treatments often see higher base prices. States without mandates price more competitively since everyone pays out of pocket.
Some save $2,000-$3,000 traveling to lower-cost areas, but you’ll need local monitoring or multiple trips.
Your Personalized Treatment Protocol
FET costs vary a lot based on your specific situation, mainly based on:
- Medication duration (2 weeks vs. 6 weeks = $500-$1,500 difference).
- Monitoring frequency (3 visits vs. 8 visits = $600-$2,400 difference).
- Add-on procedures (ERA testing, assisted hatching = $500-$1,900 extra).
- Your medical history and past results.
Standard first FET: $4,500 total. Complex case with failed transfers: $7,000-$8,000 total.
Your age, embryo quality, lining response, and transfer history all affect what you need. Get a detailed estimate based on YOUR protocol, not generic averages.
Insurance Coverage Variables
Insurance coverage makes the biggest difference in what you actually pay out of pocket.
Coverage scenarios:
- Full coverage: You pay $500-$2,000 (copays/deductibles only).
- Partial coverage: Procedure covered, meds aren’t = $3,000-$5,000 out of pocket.
- No coverage: You pay everything = $4,500-$10,000+.
State mandates matter:
15 states require insurance plans to cover fertility treatment costs. If you’re in one of them, check your specific plan: “mandate” doesn’t mean free.
Common insurance traps:
- Lifetime maximums ($15,000-$20,000 cap for ALL fertility treatments).
- Pre-authorization required or claim gets denied.
- They cover IVF but not FET (or vice versa).
- Medications excluded even when procedure is covered.
Call your insurance provider. Ask: “What’s covered for FET specifically? What are my out of pocket costs? Is there a lifetime maximum?”
Don’t assume anything. Get it in writing.
Frozen Embryo Transfer vs. Fresh IVF: Understanding the Cost Relationship
Full IVF = starting from scratch:
You pay for — well, everything. That’s $12,000-$20,000 covering:
- Ovarian stimulation (high-dose medications for multiple eggs).
- Surgical egg retrieval under anesthesia.
- Lab fertilization and embryo development.
- Genetic testing (optional).
- Transfer (fresh or frozen).
Frozen Embryo Transfer = you already have embryos: You only pay for the transfer cycle, so about $3,000-$6,900.
Egg retrieval and stimulation medications account for 60-70% of IVF costs. With FET, you skip that entire process.
When you need both: First-time IVF patients should budget for IVF + potential Frozen Embryo Transfer = $15,000-$27,000 total. Many clinics do freeze-all embryo transfers: all embryos frozen, no fresh transfer. This means even your first pregnancy attempt requires FET.
The financial advantage: $15,000 for your first child (full IVF). Then $4,000-$6,000 for each additional child using remaining frozen embryos. That’s why most people create multiple embryos upfront.
When Frozen Embryo Transfer isn’t an option: You MUST have frozen embryos from previous IVF. If all embryos are gone, you need another full cycle at $12,000-$20,000.
Multi-Cycle Planning: Budgeting for Your Complete Fertility Journey
Success Rates and Cycle Planning
Most people need more than one frozen embryo transfer to get pregnant, especially based on age.
- Under 35: 50-60% success rate per transfer.
- 35-40: 35-45% success rate per transfer.
- Over 40: 20-30% success rate per transfer.
Using SART data: The Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology publishes clinic-specific success rates. Look up YOUR clinic’s numbers by age group, not national averages.
Budget by age:
- Under 35: Plan for 1-2 transfers (budget: $4,000-$13,000)
- 35-40: Plan for 2-3 transfers (budget: $8,000-$20,000)
- Over 40: Plan for 3-4+ transfers (budget: $12,000-$28,000+)
Smart approach: Budget for 2-3 full FET cycles upfront. Set aside a contingency fund. After 3-4 failed FETs, talk to your doctor about diagnostic testing or protocol changes instead of just trying again.
Multi-Cycle Packages and Bundles
Some clinics bundle multiple FET attempts, therefore saving money if you need more than one transfer.
Shared-risk programs typically charge $15,000-$25,000 upfront but guarantee multiple attempts. If you don’t achieve a live birth after the agreed cycles, you get 70-100% refunded.
The catch? Eligibility is limited to good prognosis patients, meaning younger age, good ovarian reserve, quality embryos. Most exclude patients over 42.
Multi-cycle discounts: Many clinics discount per-cycle costs when you prepay. Instead of $5,000 per transfer, pay $12,000 for three transfers, saving $3,000 total.
What to check in contracts:
- Are medications included?
- Monitoring appointments covered?
- Strict timelines (must complete within 12-18 months)?
- What procedures cost extra?
When packages make sense: If you’re likely to need 2-3 attempts based on age and circumstances, packages save money. Best-case scenarios might pay more than necessary.
How to Afford Your Frozen Embryo Transfer
Planning ahead and using financial strategies often means significant savings.
Using Insurance Benefits Strategically
Fertility insurance coverage is confusing as hell, but understanding it can save you thousands.
How to verify coverage details: Call your insurance provider directly. Get a reference number for the call. Ask them to send written confirmation of what’s covered. Many people assume they have coverage, start treatment, then discover their claim was denied because they didn’t get pre-authorization or misunderstood their benefits.
Understanding lifetime maximums: Most plans cap fertility coverage at $15,000-$20,000 for your entire life. First pregnancy might use up your maximum, meaning subsequent pregnancies are fully out-of-pocket.
Pre-authorizations: Many plans require pre-authorization before FET. Skip this, and claims get denied even if FET is technically covered.
Appealing denials: Many denials get overturned on appeal with additional documentation from your doctor. Ask your clinic for help: most have staff who handle appeals regularly.
Fertility Financing Options
Clinic payment plans
Most clinics know frozen embryo transfer costs are hard to pay upfront. Here are your options for spreading out the financial burden.
| Option | How It Works | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-house financing | Pay clinic directly over 6-12 months | No credit check, low/no interest | Limited to specific clinic |
| Deposit + monthly payments | Pay portion upfront, rest in installments | Manageable chunks | May require good credit |
Many clinics offer payment plans with zero or low interest if you qualify. You typically need decent credit and stable income.
Third-party fertility financing companies
Companies like Sunfish and Kindbody specialize in fertility treatment loans.
- Loan amounts: $5,000-$50,000+.
- Terms: 2-7 years.
- Interest rates: 6-20% depending on credit.
These work when your clinic doesn’t offer financing or when you need more flexible terms.
Medical credit cards
CareCredit and similar cards offer 0% interest for 6-24 months if you pay off the balance in time.
The catch? If you don’t pay it off before the promotional period ends, you get hit with retroactive interest (often 20-30% APR on the entire original balance).
Personal loans
Standard personal loans from banks or credit unions typically have lower interest rates (5-15%) than medical credit cards but require good credit.
Better for larger amounts or longer repayment periods.
Compare total costs: Anything above 15% APR is expensive. Financing $6,000 at 18% for 3 years means paying nearly $2,000 in interest.
Grants and Financial Assistance Programs
Free money exists, but competition is intense: thousands apply for limited spots. Most require proof of financial need, medical documentation, and a compelling personal story.
Employer benefits: More companies offer fertility benefits, often partnering with companies like Carrot. Check if your employer provides $10,000-$50,000 in lifetime coverage.
VA benefits: Sometimes cover treatments for veterans with service-related infertility. Tricare offers limited coverage depending on diagnosis.
Income-based assistance: Some clinics offer sliding-scale pricing based on household income. Discounts can be 20-50% off standard pricing.
Tax-Advantaged Savings Accounts
You can use pre tax dollars for frozen embryo transfer costs, which means the government essentially gives you a 20-30% discount depending on your tax bracket.
HSA and FSA basics:
| Account Type | 2026 Contribution Limit | Key Benefit | Restriction |
|---|---|---|---|
| HSA (Health Savings Account) | $4,300 individual / $8,550 family | Money rolls over forever | Must have high-deductible health plan |
| FSA (Flexible Spending Account) | $3,300 | Immediate access to full amount | Use it or lose it by year end |
Tax savings: If you’re in the 24% bracket and contribute $5,000 to an HSA, you save $1,200 in taxes. In the 32% bracket, $6,000 contribution saves $1,920.
What qualifies: The procedure, monitoring, lab work, medications, storage fees, and travel to/from the clinic all count as eligible expenses.
Planning ahead: FSAs require election during open enrollment (usually November). HSAs are flexible: you can contribute anytime during the year.
Cost-Saving Strategies
There are legitimate ways to cut your frozen embryo transfer costs without compromising care quality. Here’s what actually works.
Medication discount programs:
| Program | Potential Savings | How to Access |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer coupons | 20-40% off brand-name meds | Check drug manufacturer websites |
| GoodRx | Up to 80% on some medications | Free app/website, use at pharmacy |
| Patient assistance programs | Free or heavily discounted meds | Apply through manufacturer, income-based |
| Fertility pharmacy discounts | 15-30% off bundles | Ask clinic for partnerships |
Price shop at least 3 pharmacies. The same medication can cost $800 at one, $400 at another.
Other strategies:
- Compounding pharmacies: Often charge 30-50% less than brand-name versions.
- Generic options: Save 40-70% when available.
- Clinical trials: Check ClinicalTrials.gov for free or discounted treatment opportunities.
- Bundled IVF packages: Some include FET in upfront price ($15,000-$18,000 for IVF + 1-2 FETs).
What doesn’t work: Skipping monitoring appointments or buying medications from questionable online sources. Both backfire and end up costing you more.
Get Your Personalized Frozen Embryo Transfer Cost Estimate Today
Frozen embryo transfer costs average $3,000-$6,900, but your actual number depends on medications, monitoring, location, insurance coverage, and your treatment plan.
Generic averages don’t help you budget. You need a personalized estimate from a fertility specialist.
At California Center for Reproductive Health, we believe in transparent pricing with no hidden fees. While LA averages run $15,000-$20,000 per IVF cycle, our Access IVF program costs $10,995, and can include embryo transfer. That’s half the typical cost.
Schedule your free consultation at our Encino, West Hollywood, or Valencia locations to get an itemized cost breakdown for your situation, insurance verification, financing options discussion, and a clear treatment plan.
