Disclaimer: All information, including costs and procedures, are unique to our experience. Please remember no two fertility journeys are the same and costs vary based on location. For reference, we sought treatment in Oregon. The commonality all infertility journey’s face is the hardship and heartbreak that comes with it.
What did our journey look like?
We began planning a family shortly after getting married in 2017. Both of us underwent preemptive testing with normal results, began ovulation tracking and waited. And waited. And waited. After a discouraging 2 years with no pregnancy and continued normal test results, we sought out a fertility specialist. Another year on a waiting list later, we received a diagnosis of unexplained infertility which led them to intrauterine insemination or IUI. Sadly, after the 6th failed IUI, our fertility team found an abnormality that ultimately led to an updated diagnosis of both unexplained female infertility and male factor infertility. It was determined that in vitro fertilization (IVF) would be our best and possibly only chance of a successful pregnancy.
We began egg retrieval preparation in December of 2022. This process is similar to when fertile women choose to freeze their eggs for future use. With the stimulation hormones, I produced 22 viable eggs. Of those 22 eggs, 16 were successfully fertilized using the ICSI method. Of those fertilized 16, 9 embryos were successfully frozen. These were 9 potential chances of pregnancy – there are zero guarantees in IVF. We did not opt to do genetic testing on our embryos.
Our first frozen embryo transfer (FET) included one frozen embryo and failed. As did our second FET. When we moved forward with doing a third FET, we chose to transfer two embryos in hopes that one would end in implantation successfully. This did not increase our chance of success and was presented with caution to avoid pregnancy of multiples.
Our third transfer was successful. We remained patients of the fertility clinic until 12 weeks gestation before “graduating” to a regular OB for prenatal care. Despite a terrifying 16 weeks of bleeding due to a subchorionic hematoma (I strongly believe this isn’t talked about enough), our IVF baby was born healthy at an average weight.
What did it cost?
All fees listed are totals for my individual treatment and prescribed medications. Any cost that was covered by insurance is provided. The intention for the transparency of this information is to bring awareness to fertility costs and shed light on what insurance policies may cover.
For reference, I am employed by a health insurance company in the United States and, excluding fertility coverage, have excellent health insurance benefits.
Consultation fees:
- Initial Consultation
- A consult with the fertility clinic to discuss available, specific options for the individual(s) and to create a fertility plan – $400 out-of-pocket (OOP)
- In vitro fertilization (IVF) Consultation
- If IVF is an option, an additional consultation is scheduled to discuss the IVF related procedures and costs – $400 (OOP)
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI):
- IUI or Intrauterine Insemination – $600 (OOP)
- Labs – $98 (OOP)
- Ultrasound – $400 (OOP)
- Clomid (oral ovarian stimulation hormone) – $22 (OOP)
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF):
Clinic Procedure Fees (specific to our clinic)
- Includes a trial transfer, suppression checks, various labs, egg retrieval, cryopreservation and frozen embryo storage for one year – $13,150 (OOP)
- Annual storage fee – $150 (OOP)
- Pre-IVF Ultrasound – $637 (OOP)
- Pre-IVF Labs – $654 (OOP)
Egg Retrieval
Stimulation Medications (for one retrieval):
- Pre-cycle Antibiotics – prescribed to both the sperm donor and patient to ensure no viral infections are present – $16.88 (OOP) *portion covered by insurance
- Birth Control – used to suppress the natural cycle and allow precision for stimulation to occur – $8.56*covered by insurance – $0 cost to me, ironic.
- Gonal – F – We opted to order this medication from an international pharmacy to save money – $1,100.00 (OOP)
- Menopur/Meriofert – We opted to order this medication from an international pharmacy to save money – $750.10 (OOP)
- Ganirelix – We opted to order this medication from an international pharmacy to save money – $171.00 (OOP)
- Novarel – also known as the trigger shot – $104.90 (OOP)
Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET)
Transfer Medications (for one transfer):
- Lupron – $499.95 (OOP)
- Estradiol Valerate – $153.85*covered by insurance – $30 Copay
- Progesterone in Oil (6 vials) – $579.50 (OOP)
- Progesterone Vaginal Capsules – $200 (OOP)
- Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen – $0.88 (OOP) *portion covered by insurance
- Sharps Container – $12 (OOP)
Our journey ended up including six IUI’s and three frozen embryo transfers, totaling up to well over $20,000.
There is also the emotional cost to factor in. Every aspect of IVF takes a physical and emotional toll on both partners. Depression and anxiety is common. Try a local support group or look up #infertility on instagram/TikTok to find others who understand how dark it can feel.
How did we pay for it?
If you’ve read through the fees, the large majority of costs were an out-of-pocket expense in our experience. As this is the case for most going through infertility treatments, I think it’s important to share how we paid for it. My hope is that this information can be used to open up options for discussion for others. I am fully aware of our privilege in being able to pay for any fertility treatments.
When I became a patient with a fertility clinic, we were an average American couple. We had a mortgage, credit card debt, student loans and car payments. We did not have an emergency fund or money set aside for anything. We both were employed full time in the healthcare industry and had health insurance. Most months, we lived paycheck to paycheck.
Here is how we were able to pay for treatment:
- Financing (a payment plan) – we were incredibly fortunate that our fertility clinic offered financing with zero interest for a portion of the IUI procedures, IVF and clinic fees. A down payment was required to start IVF (see below). We ended up financing a beginning total of $10,000 and added any subsequent ultrasounds, labs and miscellaneous clinic fees to that payment plan as treatment progressed. As of writing this, we will continue to make a monthly payment until our child is 2 years old. Our monthly payment averages $216 – $300.
- A Health Savings Account (HSA) – we elected the maximum amount through an employer and used the pre-loaded funds to make the $3,000 down payment for IVF. For more information on health related spending accounts and what is eligible visit the IRS website.
- A Retirement Loan – we were able to take out a loan of $4,000 through an employer retirement account to purchase the large bulk of the stimulation medications. This was a surprisingly easy process and is paid back biweekly.
- Making Additional Income
- Created an online storefront to sell handmade goods and used the total of $667 in profits for medications.
- Enlisted a roommate. We rent out our guest room for $300 monthly to offset our monthly clinic payment.
- Family Assistance – at one point to move forward with treatment, a $1,000 payment had to be made for clinical testing. Unable to make the payment ourselves, a family member provided assistance. These unexpected expenses happen all too often in healthcare.
- Public Assistance – after our first failed IVF transfer, we were close to being monetarily depleted. A friend offered to create a gofundme page to ask for help with the medication costs to have a second transfer. We graciously received $1,305 total in donations.
- Credit Cards – oh, the credit cards. Anytime we did not have the immediate funds for a medication, it went on a credit card. I do not have an exact amount spent but I know every bottle of progesterone in oil was put on a card. Depending on availability, the price for 1 vial ranged from $79.95 – $99.80. 1 vial lasted 4 days. I ended up needing around 20 vials by the end of treatment. That’s roughly $1500-$2000 just in progesterone! I also used a card to purchase Lupron and various other refills. I obviously do not recommend this option but being completely transparent.
The rest? Somehow, someway we came up with the money. Ate at home, didn’t shop, paid another bill later than we should have. Since treatment has ended, we have taken out personal and home equity loans to get back on track with our credit card debt. Could we have gotten second jobs? Sure. Are there grants and assistance out there? Absolutely. Can you seek treatment in another country for less money? Totally. Those options just didn’t work out for us but they might for someone else.
That is the reality of the financial burden of infertility.
Our baby was worth every single penny and then some.
Resources:
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