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How to Finance Fertility Treatment

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Many couples have concerns about how to finance fertility treatment. When you’ve been having difficulty conceiving, before making a decision about whether to go forward with fertility treatment, it’s important to understand what services you need so that you can make a decision about what you’re willing to commit to financially. 

Getting fertility treatment can be expensive and understanding all your options can help take away some of the stress related to financing fertility treatment. The team at the Center for Reproductive Health is available to answer any questions you may have about fertility treatment options, including possible ways to finance fertility treatment. 

Check With Your Health Insurance Provider

In many cases, health insurance doesn’t cover the full price of fertility treatment, but it’s a good idea to find out for sure if you have any coverage that may help reduce your overall cost. Contact your health insurance provider and ask if you have any coverage related to infertility. Some parts of the diagnostic testing done as part of your workup may be covered, such as bloodwork or an ultrasound.

Explore Financing Options

Some patients are fortunate enough to have money already saved or available to borrow from family members that can be used to pay for fertility treatment. Other patients are quick to use credit cards, but before immediately putting fertility treatment costs on a credit card, be sure to explore other possible funding options. The interest rates on credit cards can be very high and can lead to financial stress. 

There are a variety of lenders that finance fertility treatment. Some lenders such as CapexMD and New Life Fertility Finance specialize in fertility financing, and they’re familiar with the costs and fees that may be related to fertility treatments. Personal loans through other lending companies may also be an option. Look for flexible financing options and consider loan terms and rates as well as how a loan may affect your overall finances before committing to borrowing money to finance fertility treatment. Crowdsourced funding may be an option for some patients.

Understanding the Total Cost

The overall cost of fertility treatment can vary greatly. Fertility treatment plans may have a wide variety of options such as IVF, surrogates, third-party egg donors, etc. When choosing the best fertility treatment option for you, make sure you understand the total amount you’ll be expected to pay. 

Ask what’s included and not included in the quoted price. Find out whether medications are included in the price quote and whether there are any other costs that may be billed separately. Some questions you may want to ask include:

  • How many rounds of IVF are included in the cost?
  • Are there separate fees for storing eggs and embryos?
  • Are preliminary consultations included in the cost?
  • Are there any assisted reproductive technologies that aren’t included in the price quote?

If you need help understanding your insurance coverage or financing options, the staff at the Center for Reproductive Health wants to help. Reach out today for an appointment or with any questions you may have.

See Dr. Mor’s Publications

Eliran Mor, MD

Reproductive Endocrinologist located in Encino, Santa Monica, Valencia & West Hollywood, CA
Reproductive Endocrinologist located in Encino, Valencia & West Hollywood, CA Doctor Mor received his medical degree from Tel Aviv University-Sackler School of Medicine in Israel. He completed a four-year residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at New York Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. Subsequently, Dr. Mor completed a three-year fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility […]
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FAQ

What does a reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist do?

Reproductive endocrinology and Infertility is a sub-specialty of Obstetrics and Gynecology. In addition to managing medical and surgical treatment of disorders of the female reproductive tract, reproductive endocrinologist and infertility (REI) specialists undergo additional years of training to provide fertility treatments using assisted reproductive technology (ART) such as in vitro fertilization.

Reproductive endocrinologists receive board certification by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology in both Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.

When should I see an REI specialist?

In general, patients should consider consulting with an REI specialist after one year of trying unsuccessfully to achieve pregnancy. The chance of conceiving every month is around 20%, therefore after a full year of trying approximately 15% of couples will still not have achieved a pregnancy.

However, if a woman is over the age of 35 it would be reasonable to see a fertility specialist earlier, typically after 6 months of trying.

Other candidates to seek earlier treatment are women who have irregular menses, endometriosis, fibroids, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), women who have had 2 or more miscarriages, or problems with the fallopian tubes (prior ectopic pregnancy).

What are the reasons we are having trouble conceiving?

Approximately 1/3 of the time cause for infertility is a female factor, 1/3 of the time a male factor, and the remaining 1/3 a couples’ factor.

At CCRH, we emphasize the importance of establishing a correct diagnosis. Both partners undergo a comprehensive evaluation including a medical history and physical exam.

Furthremore, the woman’s ovarian reserve is assessed with a pelvic ultrasound and a hormonal profile. A hysterosalpingogram (HSG) will confirm fallopian tube patency and the uterine cavity is free of intracavitary lesions. A semen analysis is also obtained to evaluate for concentration, motility, and morphology of the sperm.

Additional work up is then individualized to direct the best possible treatment option for each couple.

What is IVF? What is the process like?

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the process that involves fertilization of an egg outside of a woman’s body.

The process starts with fertility drugs prescribed to help stimulate egg development. In your natural cycle, your body is only able to grow one dominant egg, but with stimulation medication we can recruit multiple eggs to continue to grow. After about 8-10 days of stimulation, the eggs are surgically retrieved and then fertilized with sperm in a specialized laboratory. Fertilized eggs are then cultured under a strictly controlled environment within specialized incubators in the IVF laboratory for 3-5 days while they develop as embryos. Finally, embryos (or an embryo) are transferred into the uterine cavity for implantation.

Should I have IVF?

Before deciding if IVF is the right choice, it’s important to sit down with an REI specialist to discuss available treatment options. For some people, other methods such as fertility drugs, intrauterine insemination (IUI) may be the best first choice treatment. At CCRH, we believe each individual couple is unique and not everyone needs IVF.

Is the IVF procedure painful?

While not painful, the fertility medications may some side effects including headaches, hot flashes, mood swings, and bloating. The injection sites may also bruise.

Will IVF guarantee a baby?

Unfortunately, no. Many people think once they start IVF it’s a matter of time that they will be pregnant and have a baby. But according to national statistics per the Society of Assisted Reproduction (SART), on average 40% of assisted reproduction cycles achieve live births in women under age 35. The chances of success then continue to decrease with advancing age.

At CCRH, we employ only evidence-based interventions to ensure patient safety and optimal outcome. While we cannot guarantee a baby, we guarantee that you will receive the best, most advanced, personalized care to help you maximize your chance of a baby.

What is the success rate for IVF?

The average IVF success rate (success measured in live birth rate) using one’s own eggs begins to drop around age 35 and then rapidly after age 40. This is due to the decline in egg quantity and egg quality as a woman ages.

Our clinic’s success rate consistently beats the national average year after year.

Do insurance plans cover infertility treatment? How much does IVF cost?

Individual insurance plans often do not have any coverage for infertility treatments. If you have a group plan, you can call members services to see if they have coverage for infertility (including consultation/workup and IVF).

After your consultation with our REI specialist, one of our dedicated account managers with sit with you to go over the cost of treatment.

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