The Hidden Costs of IVF: What Your Insurance Doesn’t Cover

IVF Is Expensive — Even With Insurance

IVF is life-changing, but it can also be financially overwhelming. Many patients assume that if they live in a mandated state or have employer-provided fertility benefits, their IVF costs will be mostly (if not fully) covered. But that’s often not the case.

The reality? Even with insurance, the average out-of-pocket cost of one IVF cycle can range from $10,000 to $20,000—and often much more, depending on your clinic and care plan. 

So where does all that money go? And why doesn’t insurance cover more of it?

Let’s break it down.

Insurance Coverage: What It Really Means

If you live in a state with an IVF insurance mandate or have fertility benefits through your employer, that’s a great start—but it doesn’t mean you're off the hook financially.

Here’s why:

• Mandated coverage doesn’t equal full coverage. State mandates often require insurance plans to offer IVF—but not all employers have to provide those plans.
• Coverage caps are common. Some insurance plans only cover one cycle or a specific dollar amount, which patients often max out quickly.
• Exclusions vary widely. Many policies don’t cover medications, genetic testing, egg/embryo storage, or surgical center fees.

Translation: Your insurance may only pay for part of the picture—and you’re left paying the rest out-of-pocket.

What Your IVF Bill Might Include (That Insurance Skips)

Even when you have insurance, many parts of fertility treatment fall outside your benefits. Here’s what patients often end up paying for on their own:

• Initial consultations and diagnostic testing
• Fertility medications: ~$3,000–$6,000 per cycle
• Embryo freezing and storage
• Genetic testing (PGT-A, PGT-M): ~$2,000–$5,000
• Anesthesia and surgical center fees
• Lab work, ultrasounds, and blood tests
• Donor eggs or sperm, if needed

Add it all up, and you can see how out-of-pocket costs grow fast—even with some level of insurance support.

Real-World Example: What Patients Actually Pay

Let’s say your insurance covers one round of IVF but excludes medications and genetic testing.

Here’s what you might still pay:

This is just one example—but it’s not uncommon. And unfortunately, many patients only learn about these costs after they’ve started treatment. 

How to Plan Financially: Your Options Beyond Insurance

The best way to reduce financial stress is to plan early. Here are a few ways to prepare:

• Ask your clinic for a detailed, itemized estimate before starting treatment.
• Check exactly what your insurance covers—down to the specific procedures and medications.
• Use HSA or FSA funds if available.
• Consider multiple clinics—pricing can vary by thousands of dollars.

Understanding the true cost of care allows you to explore realistic financing options from the start.

Monthly Payments Can Make IVF More Manageable

If you don’t have thousands to pay upfront—and most people don’t—you’re not alone. Many patients are turning to fertility financing to get started sooner without draining their savings.

That’s where PatientFi comes in.

Explore IVF Financing with PatientFi

At PatientFi, we believe your fertility journey should be defined by empowerment, not high upfront costs. That’s why we’ve built a better way to pay for care—one that supports every step of your treatment.

With PatientFi, you get access to a digital wallet designed specifically for fertility patients. It covers your entire journey—from IVF and egg freezing to medications, labs, genetic testing, and other out-of-pocket expenses - without needing to reapply.

Here’s how we make it easier:

• Zero interest plans available* for qualified applicants
  
  
• Flexible terms up to 84 months**
  
  
• Soft credit check only (your score won’t be impacted to explore options)
  
  
• Fast, simple online application with instant monthly payment offers
  
  

Final Thought

Whether you’re planning your first cycle or preparing for your next, No one should be blindsided by the financial side of fertility care. By understanding the true costs of IVF—and knowing your options for financing—you can focus more on what matters: building your family.

PatientFi helps you move forward with less financial stress—and more freedom to focus on what matters most.

👉 Explore your options today

*Zero interest when paid in pull during the promotion period.
** All loans subject to credit approval. A $10,000 loan would have 84 monthly payments of $151 at 6.99% 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.

FAQ: Fertility Financing & IVF Costs

Sources

Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART): SART reports IVF costs ranging from $12,000–$15,000 per cycle before medications, which can add $3,000–$6,000 more.Source: https://www.sart.org

American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM): ASRM states that a single IVF cycle may cost more than $20,000 after medications, testing, and add-ons. Source: https://www.reproductivefacts.org

FertilityIQ: 2024 IVF Cost Guide: Provides real patient-reported costs and details regional variances, average prices for meds, testing, storage, etc. Source: https://www.fertilityiq.com/topics/ivf/ivf-costs

Resolve: The National Infertility Association: Breaks down which states have mandates and what they do and don’t cover. Notes that employer exemptions and policy loopholes are common. Source: https://resolve.org/what-are-my-options/insurance-coverage/state-coverage/

Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF): Explains why state mandates don’t guarantee coverage and outlines how plans often cap or exclude fertility care.Source: https://www.kff.org/womens-health-policy/fact-sheet/insurance-coverage-and-payment-for-fertility-services-in-the-us/

Mercator Advisory Group / Bankrate: Discuss the rising popularity of financing in elective healthcare and fertility services.Source: https://www.bankrate.com/loans/personal-loans/medical-loans/

Modern Fertility & Pew Research: Show that cost is one of the top three barriers to seeking IVF or egg freezing in the U.S. Source: https://modernfertility.com/blog/, Pew Data: https://www.pewresearch.org/