A breakdown of the average cost of IVF
How much does in vitro fertilization (IVF) cost in 2022? Industry estimates range significantly, from $10,000 – $30,000 or more. So how do you know what to expect from your fertility expenses? Each patient’s needs are unique, which makes it difficult to pin down exact costs. However, by breaking down the different types of expenses involved in IVF, you can come up with a closer estimate for your needs.
What Costs are Involved in In Vitro Fertilization?
In vitro fertilization, or IVF, involves retrieving eggs and combining them with sperm in a lab to develop an embryo. That embryo is then transferred into a uterus to hopefully implant and become a pregnancy. Each step of IVF has its own expenses. The basic steps of IVF include:
- Ovarian stimulation (hormonal medications to increase egg production in the ovaries)
- Egg retrieval
- Fertilization & embryo development
- Embryo transfer
- Additional medications post- transfer to increase the chance of pregnancy
You can also choose from additional services based on your specific medical history and diagnosis and your doctor’s recommendations. These services, which each have their own additional costs, include:
- Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
- Embryonic genetic testing
- Frozen embryo transfer
- Embryo storage
- Third party reproduction (sperm donors, egg donors, gestational surrogates)
Now that we’ve gone over the different cost categories of IVF, let’s break down the expenses involved at each step.
Base Clinic Fee
The main cost for in vitro fertilization in 2022 comes from the base fee. While this varies from clinic to clinic, it typically includes the egg retrieval, monitoring appointments throughout the process, embryo development, and a fresh embryo transfer. This fee usually does not cover medications, testing, or frozen embryo transfers (more on those later).
Base clinic fees tend to range from $12,000 – $14,000. If a clinic quotes you a significantly lower fee, they may include fewer services within the fee. On the other hand, if a clinic has a significantly higher base fee, they may offer additional services. Make sure you know exactly what’s included within your clinic’s base fee to avoid surprises.
IVF Medication Costs
IVF involves self-injectable hormonal medications to stimulate the ovaries, prepare for the embryo transfer, and encourage embryo implantation. Clinics usually don’t include medications in their estimated expenses, as the prices depend on your pharmacy and insurance. So, be sure to factor in medications into your estimated in vitro fertilization costs for 2022. These medications usually cost between $3,000 – $7,000, depending on your treatment plan.
ICSI
In intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), an embryologist injects a single sperm directly into an egg to fertilize it. This can increase the chances of fertilization, and may be recommended for couples with male factor infertility. ICSI is also usually used to fertilize frozen eggs. ICSI costs around $2,000.
Embryonic Genetic Testing
Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT-A) tests a frozen embryo to determine if it has the standard number of chromosomes. Other genetic tests can screen for specific genetic mutations or other abnormalities. Embryonic testing ranges from around $2,000 – $6,000 depending on the specific tests.
Embryo Freezing, Storage, and Frozen Embryo Transfer for 2022 IVF Costs
The most basic form of IVF involves transferring a fresh embryo once it’s developed for around five days. However, if you want to schedule your transfer for later, or save additional embryos to try for a future pregnancy, you can freeze the embryos through cryopreservation. Also, if you want any genetic testing, you need to freeze the embryos first. The related costs include:
- Embryo cryopreservation: $1,000 – $2,000
- Frozen embryo storage: $350 – $600 / year (clinics may include one year of storage in their base fee)
- Frozen embryo transfer (FET): $3,000 – $6,000 (clinic may include the first FET in their base fee)
How Much Does Donor In Vitro Fertilization Cost in 2022?
If you are using third party reproductive assistance, like donor eggs or sperm or a gestational carrier, your expenses can be significantly higher. Donor sperm costs the least, typically ranging from $500 – $1,000 per vial. Donor eggs cost more, as you cover the costs of the donor’s medications and egg retrieval, as well as possibly travel or other expenses.
Frozen donor egg costs can range from $14,000 – $20,000+. A fresh donor egg cycle typically starts around $20,000, but may cost significantly more depending on the timing and other factors involved.
Gestational surrogacy, where another person (surrogate) receives the embryo, carries the pregnancy, and delivers the baby, has the highest expenses. Surrogacy typically falls between $100,000 – $150,000, although the total costs can vary significantly depending on medical needs during the pregnancy and delivery.
How Do I Afford In Vitro Fertilization Cost in 2022? Our Financial Counselors Can Help
We hope all this information helps show why IVF price estimates can vary so significantly. The most basic form of IVF, with just the base fee and medications, might start at $15,000 per cycle. At the other end of the spectrum, IVF with ICSI, PGT-A, and FET might be $35,000 per cycle. Using a donor or surrogate adds to the costs as well.
And, finally, it’s very important to remember that most patients need more than one IVF cycle to become pregnant. Each of the costs discussed here are for only a single IVF cycle.
Clearly, IVF is a substantial financial investment. We believe everyone deserves the chance to build a family, without financial burden. Our dedicated team of financial counselors can help you figure out the best plan for affording IVF, and provide resources for grants and financing options. The cost of IVF is significant, but it doesn’t have to be impossible: reach out to us today.
