Comparison of IVF (In-Vitro Fertilization) Costs
As you know, I am looking into 3 fertility centers for possible IVF treatment. One of the things we are comparing is, of course, the cost of having IVF. I’m sharing what I learned about how much it costs at 3 different fertility centers to give you an idea.
Let’s call the 3 fertility centers that I looked into as:
T - my current fertility center
C - highly-rated fertility center, out-of-state
S - famous fertility center, out-of-state
Comparison of IVF Treatments
|
|
T |
C |
S |
|
IVF |
9500 |
11850 |
9715 |
|
Anesthesia |
included |
430 |
580 |
|
Assisted Hatching |
included |
included? |
1435 |
|
EMET |
na |
na |
420 |
|
ICSI |
1600 |
2600 |
2500 |
|
PGD (FISH) |
5000 |
na |
? |
|
CGH |
na |
5000* |
3500** |
|
Cryopreservation |
590 |
975 |
720 |
|
TOTAL |
16,690 |
20,855 |
18,870 |
*Based on other bloggers’ experience, this is what CGH costs.
**Based on Egg/Embryo Banking costs
Going from my current fertility center to out-of-state would be $2-4K more expensive in terms of the IVF treatment.
Comparison of Miscellaneous Costs
|
|
T |
C |
S |
|
Work-up |
0 |
720* |
720** |
|
Work-up Travel |
0 |
800
|
0 |
|
Treatment Travel |
0 |
2600 |
2600 |
|
Medicines *** |
3000 |
3000 |
3000 |
|
TOTAL |
3000 |
7120 |
6320 |
*Based on 20% co-pay of $3600
**Assumption only based on 20% co-pay of C ($3600). Actual tests taken right now costs ~$1600.
***Assuming medicines are equal
However, additional $3-4K costs are incurred due to out-of-state travel and additional pre-treatment tests.
Comparison of Grand Total Cost of IVF Treatments
|
|
T |
C |
S |
|
GRAND TOTAL |
19,690 |
28,005 |
25,190 |
So all-in-all, changing clinics would be $5-8K more. And this is only for 1 cycle!
That is the price of going to fertility center which:
- Offers CGH as a pre-implantation genetic testing method (instead of FISH)
- Has higher live birth success rate (almost double for C. As for S, I need to dig into the CDC data to have comparable data because S reports it differently.)
…..
It’s still not an assurance though that everyone takes home a baby even after spending $$$. I have known about people from both sides of the statistics, even for the highest-rated fertility center.
And it really makes me think twice… a lot… if IVF is worth all the money, all the trouble, all the anxiety, all the stress, all the heartache…
DH says that he’d spend the money to have a chance anyway.
20 comments
Ugh. It just sucks it costs so freaking much.
My IVF meds for one cycle was $4,000. Who do you get your meds through?
Tough decision, eh? Salute to DH for all the support!
Wow. Good job comparing. I haven’t started my first cycle yet (or had my big ‘money’ appointment…but I planned on around 20,000 as a guess (from what I can gather from their price list). Smart to compare though. I didn’t look much further than stats when it comes to the other clinics in the area.
The chart is eye opening. But you also have to look at what you are paying for. For me, I wanted to go to a clinic that had good stats and a great embryologists. I know the “C” clinic you are speaking of, but not the others. I would hate to travel out of state myself, but I’m lucky enough to have two great clinics in my area.
It is so worth the cost to try again! I haven’t read your whole history yet, but take it from me- 5 fresh IVF’s and 1 FET, got my BFP after my first cycle (fresh cycle #6!!!) with “C”!!! Though I’ve heard great things about “S” too. We thought this would be our last cycle one way or the other but halfway through, DH and I were plotting one more chance…!!! Hang in there…you are doing great research. BTW, I got your comment on my blog - you can email me and I’ll let you know about my weird prior protocols but I can tell you they are protocols that “S” absolutely refuses to do and on top of that, the meds I was put on were way too low for the kind of cycle I was on. I am a weird IF case.
I’ll be following your blog to see what you decide to do!
You’ve done your research that is for sure. Like the above poster mentioned you do have to take into consideration whether you are wanting to travel for all of this or just stay home. Good luck with your decision.
ICLW
Wow - obviously homework wasn’t an issue for you in school. I just wish they gave you a discount for being prepared and informed!
good luck…whatever you decide.
ILCW
you are just as anal as i am!!! you do need to add another final table that includes the prices, estimated time off work (more would be required for your out of state clinics) and what the success rate is for your age group and diagnosis. if you are only looking at $4k more for an increase to a 71% chance from a 36% chance…that might be worth it. 15K more for an increase to 50%, however, may not be worth it.
It’s really unbelievable that it’s so expensive. It’s such a business isn’t it?
Here for ICLW
Urgh…I hate that IVF costs so much in states where insurance isn’t required to cover it. Thank G-d I’m in Massachusetts, but I wish all other states would follow our lead so everyone can afford IVF if they need it. *sigh* The US is sooo far behind the times.
Here from ICLW.
Where do you feel the most comfortable? We are going through a similar decision in trying to determine where to do our DE/IVF cycle. We looked into many other programs and found we liked our local fertility center the based. This decision was not only based on $$$$, we also based it on the type of programs the clinics had, and we found we liked ours the best. Go with your gut. I agree with you, just becasue you spend more $$$$ doesn’t mean you have higer chances of success. Good luck!
If I were in your shoes and if I could afford a cycle at “C”, I am sure that’s what I would do. Personally, I would always wonder if I didn’t at least try at that clinic.
Good luck making a decision.
ICLW
Wow that is so much money. I liked the way you broke it down. That is what I am trying to figure out right now. Do I stay in state where it is cheaper but less successful and get a couple shots at it or go once out of state and spend it all. It is a hard decision. I wish luck! I hope it all goes well!
It sucks that such an important decision comes down to money! I hate that aspect of IF. Good luck with your decisions.
Personally, I’ve been willing to spend it all for the chance. Even if I never have a baby, I will not regret the money spent on our dream.
We changed clinics after our first failed IVF & FET. The new clinic has such higher success rates, but less of a “famous” name.
I’m sure that you’ve already considered this, but are there any reputable clinics near you that offer a shared risk program (a certain number of fresh/frozen cycles for a fixed cost)? That could be a good compromise for you. You would still spend a lot of money, but you would get more than one shot at least, and you would get a portion of your money back if you were unable to get pregnant. It’s so crappy that we have to even deal with all of this financial stuff when we’re already hurting so bad. I hope you can come up with a good solution for you and your husband.
I think it’s totally unfair how much everything costs, and how most insurance companies won’t even cover the teeniest tiniest little bit of it.
I hope you and your husband are able to make the best decision for you, financially and emotionally.
i’m from iclw. wow, you’ve done so much research, you’ve inspired me to check out some other clinics! good luck to you!
oh wow! good luck with this descion, it is totally lame that you even have to be thinking about money, i sooo wish IVF could just be free, so unfair.
good luck!
here from ICLW
You’ve definitely done your research. Good luck with your decision. I wish you all the best!
Here from ICLW
Of course, I recognize those figures! If I could do it all over again, I would save the 2 rounds coming in at $30ish I spent at S and I would trade it in for 1 round at C. But time is of the essence and hindsight is 20/20.
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