Financial Facts To Know Before Starting IVF
Since the first in-vitro (IVF) procedure done in 1978, reproductive technologies have continued to advance toward a pattern of increased accuracy, and greater probabilities of success.
When a patient is first investigating the reproductive options that best fit their situation, it is important to discuss the potential financial burden of IVF. Unfortunately, reproductive technologies such as IVF are not inexpensive. Lab equipment, training, and medications all add to the overall cost of reproductive procedures. As IVF is never a “sure thing” it is not uncommon for some couples to complete several cycles of IVF before achieving a successful pregnancy. As every patient is unique, in most cases it is difficult to determine exactly how much their IVF cycles will cost or how many cycles they may need to be successful.
How To Make Your IVF Affordable
In order to help patients create a realistic plan to make their IVF affordable, we suggest that patients keep in mind these tips:
- How much are you able to set aside before beginning IVF?
- According the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, a patient in the United States can expect to pay anywhere from $12,000- $20,000 per IVF cycle. The differences between cost is often based on additional services such as ICSI, PGD, or embryo freezing and storage fees, or the fertility clinic’s location.
- Patients who budget themselves, or have a specific amount that they are able to set aside before starting IVF can help to minimize financial strain, and potential stressors.
- Establishing how much you are able to spend can help you set limits to number of IVF cycles you are willing to try before looking into alternative options such as egg donation.
- Will your insurance reimburse you?
- Check your insurance policy to see if you may be reimbursed for IVF or IUI cycles. If the entire procedure is not covered, you may still be covered for smaller things like blood tests, pregnancy tests, or pregnancy monitoring.
- Though insurance coverage of infertility treatment is not currently federally mandated, there are several states which require it. See if your state is one of them.
- What are your Financing/ Loan options?
- Many banks provide loans to cover medical procedures, and can be paid back incrementally over several years. Check if your bank offers any low-interest solutions.
- Some companies such as Lending Club Patient Solution, United Medical Credit and Future Family offer low-interest medical loans with adjustable payment plans based on your income.
- Have you found the right Doctor?
- The key component to a successful IVF cycle is a highly capable doctor who has been able to correctly diagnose the patient’s primary cause of infertility. Make sure you have a doctor you a comfortable with, and confident that they are the best.
- It is important to keep in mind that the lowest price IVF clinic might not necessarily provide you with the best quality of care. Often times, the more expensive fertility clinics are pricier because they use cutting edge embryology equipment which is expensive to maintain. The price, however, is worth it as this equipment helps increase IVF success rates.
Our Prices
At Santa Monica Fertility we bill our services in “packages” which are customized to the needs of the specific patient. We believe in providing the patient with one global cost to help keep their IVF cycle affordable- so there are no additional fees or surprise costs along the way. Each package includes all surgery fees, embryology services, transfer fees, anesthesia, access to on-call nursing staff, and monitoring appointments. Our package prices vary according to the recommended treatment plan specific for each patient. Please note, fertility medications, which can range between $2,000-$5,000 in pharmacy fees depending on the patient’s dosages, are not included in the global cost estimate.
Please feel free to call Santa Monica Fertility to discuss our different package options, and the treatments that may right for you and your family.
