How to Pay for IVF When Insurance Doesn’t Cut It
One of the first thoughts that crossed our mind when we were told we’d only be able to conceive through IVF was "how expensive is this going to be?!”
We’ve completed one cycle of IVF and while it wasn’t quite as expensive out of pocket as we were afraid it would be, it was still pretty expensive. Insanely expensive if you don’t have insurance. I realize how lucky we are to have such good insurance, especially after talking to several people who haven’t attempted IVF because of the cost.
I added up what we spent out of pocket and what insurance covered:
Out of pocket: $6,692.56
Insurance covered roughly $30,000.
Before those numbers completely freak you out, I will tell you that this included a surgery I needed to clear up some endometriosis adhesions that had grown back since my previous surgery the year before. (yeah, endometriosis is THAT aggressive. It sucks.) The out-of-pocket expenses include anesthesia for the two times I was given anesthesia, my surgery & the egg retrieval. It is also accounting for our medication expenses to the specialty pharmacies we used. Everyone’s drug protocol is different, you may be on more or less medication than I was.
Our first round of IVF was successful in that we did get pregnant. However, we miscarried at 7 weeks so now we are starting our second FET (frozen embryo transfer) cycle. We’ve paid so much that our second round is FREE! yay! I just ordered our new round of meds and only had to pay $20 co-pay. Believe me when I say that the privilege we have to pursue IVF is not lost on me. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to try again.
I also want other couples who struggle with infertility to have the chance to conceive through IVF, regardless of the cost. I have found several different ways you may be able to pay for IVF, even without insurance.
Check the links below and see if any of these might be a good opportunity for you.
This website has a TON of fertility grants in Texas.
The Samfund offers a grant of up to $4,000 for cancer survivors.
Hasidah provides IVF grants to Jewish families who have medical and financial needs. Grants usually run between $5,000 and $15,000.
Tree of Life offers grants of up to $10,000 for hopeful Jewish parents living in Central Texas. Requirement: make under $100,000 per year.
Footsteps for Fertility grants for In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET), or three Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) transfers within a year.
Gift of Parenthood grant that awards money for IVF, IUI, and surrogacy.
Baby Quest provides infertility grants two times a year.
Cade Foundation provides IVF grants to U.S. citizens and has averaged dispensing 7.3 grants per year over the last decade.
Hope for Fertility Foundation awards $500 – $3,500 grants in June to legally married couples who are U.S. citizens with an infertility diagnosis.
Cade Foundation provides IVF grants to U.S. citizens and has averaged dispensing 7.3 grants per year over the last decade.
Lending Club “A fast, simple, and more affordable way to get financing for your fertility care.”
BabyQuest Foundation list of requirements can be found on their website, but you must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Citizen, and you must be treated by a Reproductive Endocrinologist.
Capexmd.com “CAPEXMD offers a wide variety of loan options, allowing you to attain the necessary financing required to make your treatment affordable.”
AGC Scholarships various grants. Requirements: 18+, U.S. citizen diagnosed with infertility, demonstrate financial need.
P.S. This is another great reminder for those not experiencing infertility - IVF and adoption are right around the same price. So maybe saying “just adopt!” isn’t the best response, unless you plan to donate. ;)