For people who have difficulty conceiving children, in vitro fertilization, commonly referred to as IVF, can be one possible solution … but not everyone can afford it.
Following up on a campaign promise, President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order on Feb. 18 that aims to reduce the cost of IVF.
“Americans need reliable access to IVF and more affordable treatment options, as the cost per cycle can range from $12,000 to $25,000,” the order states. “Providing support, awareness and access to affordable fertility treatments can help these families navigate their path to parenthood with hope and confidence.”
The order doesn’t change costs right now, as there’s no fundign attached to it. It does request “a list of policy recommendations on protecting IVF access and aggressively reducing out-of-pocket and health plan costs for IVF treatment.”
Here’s more about what IVF is, how it works and how much it currently costs.
What is IVF?
In IVF, eggs are taken from the ovary and combined with sperm in a lab in an attempt to create an embryo. Though the procedure used to be rare, producing what were called “test tube babies,” it is now fairly common and has helped millions of people have children.
“IVF is the most advanced form of assisted reproductive technology available to help patients conceive or preserve their fertility for the future,” Dr. Sanaz Ghazal, a board-certified reproductive endocrinology and infertility specialist and OB-GYN in southern California, tells TODAY Parents.
Who uses IVF?
There are many reasons people use IVF, including but not limited to infertility.
“IVF is a powerful strategy to help couples overcome infertility and successfully conceive,” Ghazal says.
Common causes of infertility that can be treated with IVF include: male factor, blocked or damaged fallopian tubes and unexplained infertility.
Ghazal tells TODAY.com that some couples turn to IVF for reasons other than infertility. For example, if people are predisposed to a fatal genetic disease, IVF allows you to screen embryos for that disease so that your future children do not have to suffer and die prematurely.
“IVF can be coupled with preimplantation genetic testing to screen embryos for specific genetic problems, like cystic fibrosis, that can be passed from parent to child,” she says.
She adds, “By testing embryos for these gene defects and other chromosomal abnormalities and only transferring normal embryos, you can significantly decrease the risk of having a child with those genetic problems.”
How much does IVF cost?
According to the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, in vitro fertilization costs an average of $19,200 for a single cycle.
In practice, costs of IVF treatment plans have a wide range.
“The cost of IVF can vary widely depending on a number of factors including the services performed with IVF, (such as) intracytoplasmic sperm injection or preimplantation genetic testing, and your treatment plan,” Ghazal says.
In addition to the cost of IVF treatment, patients also need to factor in the cost of medications, which can be thousands of dollars depending on the type and dose of medications used.
“There may also be additional costs if your treatment plan includes the use of an egg donor, donor sperm and/or a gestational carrier (or surrogate),” Ghazal says.
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How to pay for IVF costs
Ghazal says that the costs of IVF treatment can be “a real barrier to getting the care needed.”
“Many fertility clinics accept insurance, so a good starting point is to research your insurance policy carefully to see if you have any fertility coverage,” Ghazal says.
The California specialist encouraged patients to talk to their employer about whether the company offers any family-building benefits, and consider using a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings plan (HSA), if you have one.
“Look for a fertility clinic that offers financing options or payment plans to help pay for treatment,” Ghazal says. “You can also consider applying for a fertility grant through various organizations to provide some financial support on your journey.”
Ghazal also encouraged patients to ask for special discount opportunities.
“Don’t forget to ask your clinic about discount programs for military personnel, as well as for cancer patients going through IVF for fertility preservation,” she says.
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IVF treatment cost: Beware of bargains
Though the costs associated with IVF can be daunting, be wary of clinics advertising really low prices.
“When it comes to fertility care, you often get what you pay for,” Ghazal says. “IVF can be stressful, confusing, complicated and expensive so it’s really important to find the right doctor for your fertility journey.”
People using IVF should try to get clarity on the cost of all the different steps upfront.
“You want someone who will help you navigate your options, offer personalized care to achieve your goals and who will support you every step of the way,” she says.
For people going through IVF, Ghazal recommends:
