Fertility Costs and Financing: A Podcast With Fertility Institute of New Orleans and PatientFi

Key Takeaways

Your first visit at FINO focuses on your whole picture, including your history and testing, before a treatment is recommended.
A single IVF cycle costs $15,000 or more on average in the U.S., and the final total can change based on medications, testing, and the number of cycles.
Insurance coverage for fertility care varies widely by state law and employer plan, so ask what is covered, what needs prior authorization, and whether medications are included.
Fertility financing can spread the cost of treatment, medications, genetic testing, donor expenses, and fertility preservation into monthly payments.
You can explore payment options before your first appointment, and PatientFi's application does not involve a hard credit check.

Fertility treatment costs depend on the treatment you need, what your insurance covers, and how your cycle goes, but here's the good news: you can start planning before your first appointment. If you're exploring IVF (in vitro fertilization), IUI (intrauterine insemination), or egg freezing, this guide walks you through what to expect and what to ask, so you can feel ready to say yes to the next step.

We sat down with Christine Couvillion of The Fertility Institute of New Orleans (FINO), part of First Fertility, and Vanessa Suker of PatientFi to answer the questions on your mind.

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What Happens at Your First FINO Visit?

At your first FINO visit, the physician reviews your full history and orders testing so treatment recommendations are based on facts, not assumptions. Every patient arrives with a different story, so the first visit is about understanding the whole picture: your medical and reproductive history, how long you've been trying, past treatments, and what you hope to achieve.

Fertility care is usually led by a reproductive endocrinologist, or REI, an OBGYN with additional board certification in reproductive endocrinology and infertility, so hormones and fertility are their specialty.

From there, your physician orders the tests that fit your situation. That can include ovarian reserve testing, hormone labs, an ultrasound, a semen analysis, and genetic testing. If it makes sense, both partners are evaluated at the same visit, since fertility challenges can come from female factors, male factors, a mix of both, or no clear cause.

Not sure it's time to book a visit? The general guideline is 12 months of trying, or 6 months if the person with ovaries is 35 or older. That's when ASRM considers it infertility: no pregnancy after that long of regular, unprotected intercourse. ASRM reports that infertility affects 10% to 15% of couples, and a consultation can help you find out where you stand.

What Fertility Treatment Options Are Available?

After testing, your doctor may walk you through several options, and the right one depends on your age, diagnosis, ovarian reserve, and family-building goals. Those options can include timed intercourse, ovulation induction, IUI, IVF, and fertility preservation. Sometimes more testing comes first.

Here are the key terms:

IUI (intrauterine insemination) is a procedure that places sperm directly into the uterus around the time of ovulation.
IVF (in vitro fertilization) is a process where eggs are retrieved, fertilized with sperm in a lab, and grown into embryos.
Embryo transfer is the step where an embryo is placed in the uterus. It can be a fresh transfer or a frozen transfer.
Egg freezing (a form of fertility preservation) means retrieving eggs and freezing them for possible use later.
Genetic testing can screen embryos before transfer, if a patient chooses it.

Choosing a treatment should feel like a shared decision, not something simply prescribed. For example, if your doctor recommends IVF instead of starting with IUI, you should hear why and what alternatives exist. You also don't have to absorb everything in one appointment, so ask your care team to repeat or explain anything.

How Much Does IVF Cost, and Why Can It Change?

Fertility costs range widely by treatment. At FINO, self-pay packages start at $1,500 for diagnostic testing and $8,500 for egg freezing, and IVF starts around $14,580 per cycle. That's a starting point, not a final number, because every cycle is a little different. Costs can shift based on several things:

How you respond to medication, which can be faster or slower than expected
Additional testing or procedures
Genetic testing, if you choose it
Whether you use a fresh or frozen embryo transfer
How much your insurance covers
Whether you need more than one cycle

Medication and testing are the most common sources of surprise bills. A fertility pharmacy bill can reach $6,000, and embryo genetic testing can run up to $6,000 or $7,000 out of pocket.

One way some patients plan around that is a multi-cycle package, which bundles more than one IVF cycle into a single price. Some packages include three cycles. Some clinics also offer shared-risk or refund programs, so ask whether yours does, what it includes, and who qualifies. Packages don't always include medications or genetic testing, so check what's covered.

Whichever route you take, ask your clinic for a written estimate that explains what's included, what's billed separately, and what could change as your cycle moves along. For more, see PatientFi's guide to the hidden costs of IVF and what insurance doesn't cover.

Does Insurance Cover IVF or Fertility Treatment?

Sometimes. Fertility coverage depends on your state's laws and your employer's plan, so two people with the same insurance company can have very different benefits. Coverage can also differ between diagnostic testing, medications, IUI, and IVF.

A state insurance mandate is a state law that requires certain health plans to cover, or at least offer, fertility care. There is no federal requirement for insurers to cover IVF. According to Carrot's 2026 summary of RESOLVE's data, about 25 states have some fertility coverage law, and 15 states plus Washington, D.C. specifically require IVF coverage. These laws generally apply to fully insured plans, not self-funded employer plans. You can check your state on RESOLVE, the national infertility association.

Some employers also offer fertility benefits through programs like Progyny, Carrot, or Maven, so it's worth asking your HR team. And remember that what your doctor recommends and what your insurance covers aren't always the same thing. Before treatment starts, ask your insurer these questions:

What does my insurance cover?
What requires prior authorization?
Are medications included?
What could come up later?

A financial counselor is a clinic team member who helps you understand costs, insurance benefits, and payment options. At FINO, that conversation starts early, because no one should learn about a major expense after treatment has already begun.

Other ways to pay. An HSA (health savings account) or FSA (flexible spending account) lets you use pre-tax dollars for qualified medical expenses, and your plan administrator can tell you what counts. Fertility grants from nonprofits, such as Baby Quest Foundation and Starfish Infertility Foundation, may also help, though they're competitive. A tax professional can explain whether any of your costs may be deductible.

What Does Fertility Financing Cover?

Fertility financing is a loan or payment plan that lets you pay for treatments like IVF over time, in monthly payments. It isn't only for the procedure itself, either.

With PatientFi, you can use financing for the whole journey, including:

IUI and IVF
The out-of-pocket gap when insurance doesn't cover 100% (for example, a $5,000 gap)
Fertility preservation, including egg freezing
Pharmacy and medication costs
Genetic testing
Donor expenses
Anesthesia
Multi-cycle packages

All of these come together in the PatientFi digital wallet¹: a single approval that works for your whole fertility journey, so you never have to reapply when a new cost comes up. Use it at your clinic, with other providers, and at your pharmacy. You only borrow what you choose to use, and whatever's left stays in your wallet for what comes next. Learn more about fertility financing with PatientFi.

Look into financing as soon as you learn you may need a fertility specialist. Getting an approval early can give you peace of mind before you walk into that first appointment.

What Does PatientFi Offer Fertility Patients?

You shouldn't have to wait until you've saved every dollar to take the next step. With PatientFi, you can line up your payment plan early and move forward on your own timeline.

Here's what you get:

APRs as low as 3.99%²
Zero-interest³ plans for all approved patients
Funding up to $60,000, so you can plan for your whole journey
Terms up to 84 months⁴
No hard credit check
The PatientFi digital wallet¹: one approval for your whole fertility journey, with no need to reapply

Ready to see your options? Check your approval with PatientFi in under a minute, without a hard credit check. Subject to credit approval. Rates and terms vary.

How Does Applying for Fertility Financing Work?

Applying for PatientFi takes less than a minute, and there's no hard credit check at any step.

Here's how it works:

Apply. You can do this from your phone, tablet, or computer, and you don't need to know your final treatment cost.
See your options. PatientFi currently approves up to $60,000. There's no obligation or pressure to move forward after reviewing your options.
Use your funds immediately. As soon as you're approved, your funds are ready. When a transaction is sent to you, you accept it, and only that amount becomes a loan.
Keep the rest available. For example, if you're approved for $60,000 and accept a $6,000 transaction, the remaining $54,000 stays available for later costs.

This speed matters most when you're choosing a donor. Once you're approved, you can use your funds right away, which can help you secure a donor before someone else does. To see the full process, visit PatientFi's how it works page, or find a provider that offers PatientFi.

What Payment Plans and Terms Are Available?

PatientFi offers rates as low as 3.99%² APR, with terms up to 84 months⁴ and fixed monthly payments. Zero-interest³ plans are also available with select providers.

Once you accept a transaction, it's a fixed loan, not a credit card. That means your rate and monthly payment stay the same, with no compounding interest. You have control of transacting payments to your account, so as long as the monthly minimum is met according to the terms of your Program agreement, if your condition changes, you have the ability to pay your balance off faster to avoid some of the interest. If a zero-interest plan isn't paid in full during the promotional period, your plan's APR applies, so check your offer for the details. To see how a fixed plan compares with other options, read PatientFi vs. CareCredit.

A zero-interest³ plan, where offered, can work as a bridge if you're waiting on funds from a 401(k) or home equity. A longer term may lower your monthly payment. You can try different amounts with PatientFi's payment estimator.

Financing isn't the right fit for everyone, so compare your options and read the terms carefully. This article is for education only and isn't medical, legal, or financial advice.

FAQs

How much does IVF cost?

A single IVF cycle typically costs $15,000 or more in the U.S., and your total can be higher. Medications, genetic testing, frozen embryo transfers, and extra cycles all change the final number. Ask your clinic for a written estimate that lists what's included and what's separate.

How can I pay for IVF if I don't have the money upfront?

You can combine options, such as insurance or employer benefits, HSA or FSA funds, fertility grants, clinic payment plans, and fertility financing. Financing spreads the cost into monthly payments, and some plans charge no interest if paid in full during a promotional period. Your clinic's financial counselor can explain what's available.

Does insurance cover IVF or fertility treatment?

Sometimes. Coverage depends on your state's laws and your employer's plan, and plans often treat testing, medications, IUI, and IVF differently. Ask your insurer what's covered, what needs prior authorization, and whether medications are included. State mandates generally don't apply to self-funded employer plans.

When should I see a fertility specialist?

See a fertility specialist after 12 months of trying if the person with ovaries is under 35, or after 6 months if they're 35 or older. Go sooner if you have irregular cycles or a known condition that can affect fertility. A specialist can start testing and explain your options.

What happens at a first FINO visit?

At a first FINO visit, the physician reviews your medical and reproductive history, how long you've been trying, past treatments, and your goals. Then they order testing, such as hormone labs, ultrasound, ovarian reserve testing, or a semen analysis. Afterward, they build a personalized plan and explain why they recommend it.

Can I use an HSA or FSA for IVF?

Often yes, at least in part. HSA and FSA funds can generally be used for qualified medical expenses, which may include fertility treatment and medications, though rules vary by plan and expense. Funds rarely cover a full cycle, so check with your plan administrator or a tax professional first.

Bottom Line

Fertility care works best when you understand both the medical plan and the costs early. Ask about insurance, request a written estimate, and look into options like HSA or FSA funds, grants, and financing before treatment begins. You don't have to wait until every dollar is saved to take the first step.

Ready to take the next step? Listen to the full podcast, connect with the team at The Fertility Institute of New Orleans to discuss your care, or find a provider that offers PatientFi, the friendly way to pay. Have a question? PatientFi's customer support team is happy to help.

¹ You can transact on your approval multiple times up to your approved credit limit within 120 days of approval.

² 3.99% APR assumes excellent credit and enrollment in monthly autopay. Actual APR may be higher.

³ Zero interest when paid in full during the promotional period.

⁴ All loans subject to credit approval. A $10,000 loan would have 84 monthly payments of $137 at 3.99% APR, which assumes excellent credit and enrollment in monthly autopay. Actual APR may be higher. Your fixed rate and repayment terms are based on your creditworthiness and are disclosed in your loan agreement.