The question that runs through almost everyone’s mind, is IVF expensive?. To put it without sugarcoating it-yes. It can be expensive and because of that financial planning is crucial. Thinking about how you want to pay for IVF and looking at whether you’re eligible for any grants is a great way to start! (And yes, there are grants!) These grants have certain requirements however so it’s always good to double-check those before you apply for them. In this blog post, we’re going to cover how much it costs, how to plan for IVF, the places where you find grants, and how to cope with the financial stress. So let’s get right into it!
Is IVF expensive? It’s certainly variable. But on average one cycle can cost $12,000. This is without the medications which cost an additional $3,000-$5,000.
It is then about another $3,000-$6,000 for pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) . Neither the medications or PGD are optional. The medications are what prepare your body for the IVF cycle and the PGD is what helps identify any genetic abnormalities in a sample of an embryo. This way, the embryologist knows that if there are any abnormalities, then that embryo might not implant successfully and not lead to a pregnancy. They then will not implant it into the patient. In simplest terms, it will at least cost around $18,000 for the whole thing.
It’s definitely good to start planning well ahead of your cycle. It’s not easy to jump right into IVF as it can be a big task to take on financially. Take at least a month to sit down with your partner, best friend, or family member and start researching! Look into different financing options. Find the organizations that provide grants and loans, read their eligibility requirements. Find out whether your insurance plan covers IVF.
Look at the best-case scenario, the worst-case scenario, and everything in between, and asks yourself are you financially ready to take them on? If you have a significant other involved in this, make sure you effectively communicate with one another what you feel is best. All of this might seem daunting at first, but don’t worry! Planning is key when it comes to finances. If you set aside some time to do so, it is all smooth sailing regarding financing your TTC journey!
Image by Shopify Partners
Believe it or not, there are a BUNCH of programs out there that understand the financial hardships of IVF and other fertility treatments. They offer different kinds of packages, different types of loans and you can find what best fits you! Because there are too many, listing them here would be super long! Fortunately, there is a website that has done that for you! Now you can have all the organizations in one place. Here is the website. Still, you’re thinking is IVF expensive?
Do keep in mind however, that many of these programs have various requirements and they differ from one company to another. These eligibility requirements may be concerning:
The Harsh Reality
You’re probably asking the same question I am. Why are fertility treatments so expensive? An infertile individual or couple is simply trying to conceive a child of their own and be able to experience the joy that other fertile individuals feel. Why is it that such a basic desire such as wanting to have a child of your own requires great financial burdens? It is all upside down. Fertility treatments should be accessible to anyone who needs them. Having finances get in the way of you and a little bundle of joy is unacceptable. This is a problem worldwide and we should work towards a change. We should work towards a world where a grieving mother after a miscarriage must not lose hope because she can’t afford fertility treatments. One step at a time.
References:
Uffalussy J, “The Cost of IVF: 4 Things I Learned While Battling Infertility” Forbes
Pooja is the content manager at ART Compass and works on the blog and social media content. She is an undergraduate student at Drew University pursuing a major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and minors in Business and Sociology. She has undertaken a literary research project on stem cell treatments for multiple sclerosis and wishes to continue stem cell research during her time at Drew. She is an associate member of the Tri-Beta Biology Honors Society and volunteers on an EMS squad and at the Red Cross. She hopes to attend medical school in the future.
