The good news is that not all types of treatment are that expensive, and usually such high costs are reserved for advanced treatments, such as egg donation and gestational surrogacy. IVF costs can include:
- Physician consultations
- Office visits with nurses and monitoring
- Lab fees
- Operating room/recovery room
- Sperm preparation (such as for insemination or IVF)
- Egg preparation (for IVF)
- Donor fees
- Freezing of eggs or sperm cells
- Fertility medications
Medications
Many couples underestimate how much they may pay for medication with an IVF cost, which can be $5,000 to $6,000, depending on dosages. Check with the fertility nurses about inexpensive pharmacies and discount programs that you might be eligible for.
Testing
Finally, you might need testing outside fertility center itself, such as psychological screening, mammography, pap smear or consultation with a specialist. These fees can add up and should be accounted for in your budget, especially if insurance does not cover them.
Do Your Homework
Prices vary widely, tending to be higher in large urban centers and lower in smaller clinics. Do your research and check out a few centers (if possible). Your preferred center might be willing to negotiate its fees, especially if you are paying out of pocket.