How much does IVF cost?
What is the IVF treatment cost in 2023? If you search online, you’ll probably find a wide range of estimates, from $10,000 to more than $40,000+. There’s no one-size-fits-all cost of IVF, as every patient has unique needs. In general, though, you can examine IVF expenses by category to get a better sense of what to expect.
2023 IVF Cost Breakdown
In vitro fertilization (IVF) refers to the process of retrieving eggs and combining them with sperm to develop an embryo, then transferring that embryo into a uterus with the goal of pregnancy. The term IVF specifically refers to the actual fertilization process in the lab. However, it can also be used to describe the entire treatment process, which includes:
- Ovarian stimulation (use of hormone medications to produce more eggs)
- Egg retrieval
- Fertilization and development of embryos
- Embryo transfer
- Post-transfer medications to support implantation
Each of these steps have their own related costs, which we’ll describe in more detail in the next section. Your doctor may recommend additional IVF services, based on your diagnosis, health history, and family building goals. These can include:
- Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
- Preimplantation genetic testing
- Frozen embryo storage and transfer
- Collaborative reproduction (donor egg, donor sperm, and/or gestational surrogacy)
These services come with their own expenses as well. So what can you expect from these IVF treatment costs in 2023?
Basic Fees for IVF
When it comes to traditional IVF treatment (as opposed to IVF with donor eggs, sperm, or gestational surrogates), the majority of the overall costs comes from your fertility clinic’s base fee. Importantly, this fee also often accounts for the wide range in quoted IVF costs, depending on what it includes.
Typically, the base clinic fee includes:
- Egg retrieval
- Monitoring appointments
- In vitro fertilization
- Fresh embryo transfer
Notice that this does not include medications for ovarian stimulation and uterine preparation, genetic testing, frozen embryo transfers, or any collaborative reproduction services.
These fees vary from clinic to clinic, but generally range from $12,000-$14,000. Clinics with significantly lower fees may not include as many services, while higher base fees may offer more than average. Ask a prospective clinic for a detailed list of included services so you know exactly what to expect and can make an informed decision.
How Much Do Hormonal IVF Medication Treatments Cost?
In most cases, patients (and/or their insurance providers) pay pharmacies directly for the cost of IVF medications. For this reason, most clinics do not usually include the cost of medications in their list of expenses. However, your clinic should be able to provide a sense of what medications they recommend for your cycle so you can discuss costs with your pharmacy. The IVF process uses a combination of oral and injected hormonal medications to regulate ovulation, increase egg production, prepare the uterus to receive the embryo, and encourage implantation. Depending on your specific treatment plan and pharmacy prices, IVF medications usually cost between $3,000 – $7,000.
Additional IVF Services
The base fee plus medication costs generally covers the expenses for a standard cycle of IVF treatment. Depending on your diagnosis and medical history, your fertility specialist may recommend additional services, such as:
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ISCI) – used to increase the chances of fertilization, especially for patients with male factor infertility. ICSI usually costs around $2000.
Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) – used to discover abnormalities in embryos with the goal of identifying which embryos have the highest chance of successful implantation. There are a variety of genetic tests available depending on your family health history and concerns. PGT often ranges from $2,000 – $6,000 depending on the tests.
Frozen Embryo Options – At most clinics, the base fee covers fresh embryo transfer. Many patients opt for a frozen embryo transfer for a variety of reasons, including timing, convenience, genetic testing, and embryo storage for future IVF cycles. Frozen embryo IVF costs often include:
- Embryo cryopreservation (freezing): $1,000 – $2,000
- Frozen embryo storage: $350 – $600 / year (some clinics include one year of storage in their base fee)
- Frozen embryo transfer (FET): $3,000 – $6,000 (some clinics include one FET in their base fee)
How Much Does Donor IVF Cost in 2023?
Third party reproduction, including donor eggs, donor sperm, donor embryos, and gestational carriers, comes with significant additional expenses.
On the lower end of the cost spectrum, donor sperm often costs $500-$1,000 per vial, with the remaining IVF treatment costs staying mostly the same as in traditional IVF.
Donor eggs are at the next level of expenses, with frozen donor eggs adding an additional $14,000 to more than $20,000 depending on travel, donor expenses, and other factors. Fresh donor egg cycles have additional costs for the intended parents, including donor screening, and often start at $20,000 per cycle.
Finally, gestational surrogacy has the highest costs of collaborative reproduction, as the gestational carrier (sometimes called a surrogate) actually carries the pregnancy and delivers the baby. On average, surrogacy in 2023 costs between $100,000 – $150,000. However, these expenses can change significantly depending on specific medical needs during the pregnancy and delivery (for instance, carrying multiples vs. a single pregnancy, needing a cesarean section, etc.).
How Much Does IVF Treatment Cost in 2023?
As you can see, many factors affect the price of IVF, making it difficult to provide a general estimate. In total, a basic IVF cycle might start at $15,000, while IVF using a gestational carrier can cost closer to $200,000.
Keep in mind that the costs discussed here are for a single IVF cycle, and most patients require more than one cycle to become pregnant.
Our financial counselors help our patients create affordable plans for their IVF journey. This may include a combination of grants, financing options, and individual financial planning. IVF treatment has substantial costs, but we are here to help our patients find a way to build their family. For more information, reach out to us today.
