Base IVF Cycle Cost: The Starting Point
When a clinic quotes you a "cycle cost," they're typically giving you the base procedure price. This usually includes initial consultation, monitoring appointments (bloodwork and ultrasounds), egg retrieval, anesthesia, laboratory fertilization, embryo culture, and a single fresh embryo transfer. What it usually doesn't include: medications, ICSI, genetic testing, embryo freezing, or the frozen transfer cycle you'll need if doing PGT testing.
| Component | Typical Cost Range | Included in Base? |
|---|---|---|
| Monitoring & bloodwork | $2,000–$4,000 | Usually yes |
| Egg retrieval (surgical) | $3,000–$6,000 | Usually yes |
| Anesthesia | $500–$800 | Sometimes extra |
| Laboratory/embryology | $3,000–$5,000 | Usually yes |
| Fresh embryo transfer | $1,500–$3,000 | Usually yes |
| Typical base total | $12,000–$18,000 | — |
Here's the thing: almost nobody ends up paying just the base price. By the time you add medications (required), ICSI (used in ~70% of cycles), and possibly genetic testing or embryo freezing, you're looking at a different number entirely.
The Hidden Costs Nobody Mentions Upfront
These are the line items that turn a $14,000 quote into a $25,000+ bill. None of them are optional scams—most are genuinely useful. But you deserve to know about them before you sign anything.
| Add-On | Cost | Who Needs It? |
|---|---|---|
| Medications | $3,000–$7,000 | Everyone. Average ~$5,000. Higher doses for older patients or poor responders. |
| ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) | $1,500–$3,000 | Used in ~70% of US cycles. Required for male factor; many clinics add it routinely. |
| PGT-A (genetic testing) | $4,000–$5,000 | Recommended for patients 37+, recurrent loss, or prior failed cycles. Tests per batch of embryos. |
| Embryo freezing | $1,000–$2,000 | Anyone with extra viable embryos (for future siblings or backup transfers). |
| Annual storage | $500–$1,000/yr | Ongoing. Easy to forget about—clinics will remind you (with an invoice). |
| Frozen embryo transfer (FET) | $3,000–$5,000 | Required if doing PGT, or for subsequent transfer attempts. |
| Assisted hatching | $500–$1,000 | Sometimes recommended for older patients or previously failed implantation. |
| Endometrial receptivity testing | $800–$1,500 | After failed transfers to optimize timing. |
Before starting treatment, ask your clinic for an itemized estimate that includes medications, ICSI, anesthesia, and any recommended add-ons. If you're planning PGT, include the frozen transfer cycle cost too. Compare the all-in number, not the base price. A "cheap" clinic with expensive add-ons can cost more than a pricier clinic with bundled pricing.
IVF Cost by Major City
Location is one of the biggest cost variables. Here's what a single all-in cycle (procedure + meds) typically runs in major US metros:
A few things to note: These are averages for a single fresh cycle including medications. Your actual cost could be higher or lower depending on your protocol, dosage needs, and which add-ons are recommended. Clinics in insurance-mandate states (MA, CT, IL, NJ, NY) may show lower out-of-pocket costs because insurance absorbs part of the bill.
Budget Clinics & Low-Cost IVF Options
Not every IVF cycle needs to cost $20K+. A growing number of clinics have built their model around accessibility, and some deliver competitive outcomes at a fraction of the standard price.
| Clinic | Base Cycle Cost | Locations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CNY Fertility | $7,295 | NY, CO, GA, FL | Highest-volume low-cost clinic. Meds separate. |
| Conceptions Fertility | $8,870 | CO | Good outcomes. Also offers mini-IVF. |
| Mini-IVF protocols | $5,000–$8,000 | Various | Lower medication doses = lower cost. Fewer eggs retrieved. |
| Shared-risk programs | $25,000–$35,000 | Various | Multi-cycle package. Partial refund if no live birth. |
CNY Fertility is the largest fertility center in the US by cycle volume. Their lower pricing reflects operational efficiency (high volume, streamlined protocols), not lower quality care. Their SART-reported success rates are comparable to national averages. That said, do your due diligence: check SART data for any clinic you're considering, read patient reviews, and make sure you're comfortable with the level of individualized attention you'll receive.
IVF Abroad: 50–70% Savings
For patients paying entirely out of pocket, international IVF is worth serious consideration. The savings aren't marginal—they're transformative.
| Destination | IVF Cycle Cost | Total Trip Estimate | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colombia (Medellín) | $3,500–$8,500 | $6,000–$12,000 | WHO #22 healthcare, GHA accredited, LGBTQ+ inclusive, 3–5hr flights from US |
| Mexico (Cancun, CDMX) | $5,000–$9,000 | $7,000–$13,000 | Proximity to US, some bilingual staff, growing medical tourism infrastructure |
| Czech Republic (Prague) | $3,000–$6,000 | $7,000–$11,000 | Strong European regulation, excellent donor egg programs, anonymous donation |
| Spain (Barcelona, Madrid) | $5,000–$9,000 | $9,000–$15,000 | Strict EU regulation, high lab standards, anonymous donation |
Colombia stands out for US patients specifically. Medellín's InSer clinic has 29 years of experience, GHA accreditation, and multi-cycle packages starting at $5,250. The city offers direct flights from most US hubs, a comfortable climate year-round, and modern infrastructure. Including round-trip flights ($300–$800) and 15–20 nights of accommodation ($600–$2,000), you're still paying less than a single US base cycle.
Insurance Coverage: Your State Matters
The fertility insurance landscape has improved significantly. Here's where things stand in 2026:
States That Require IVF Coverage
These states mandate that qualifying insurance plans cover IVF treatment. This means your insurer must include it—you shouldn't have to ask.
| State | Mandate Strength | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado | Strong | 3 IVF cycles, fertility preservation, inclusive of all family structures |
| Connecticut | Strong | Unlimited IVF attempts, covers fertility preservation |
| Delaware | Strong | Recent mandate, covers IVF and fertility preservation |
| DC | Strong | 3 IVF rounds, effective January 2025 |
| Illinois | Strong | Covers IVF, no lifetime caps on attempts |
| Maryland | Strong | 3 IVF attempts, expanded coverage |
| Massachusetts | Strong | Gold standard. Unlimited IVF, no age cap, fertility preservation |
| New Jersey | Strong | 4 IVF cycles, covers LGBTQ+ patients |
| New York | Strong | 3 IVF cycles, large-group plans, fertility preservation |
| Rhode Island | Strong | Covers IVF with medical necessity criteria |
| California | Expanding | Large-group plan IVF coverage begins January 2026 (3 retrievals + unlimited transfers) |
About 61% of American workers are on self-insured employer plans, which are regulated by federal ERISA law—not state mandates. This means even if you live in Massachusetts, your employer's self-insured plan doesn't have to cover IVF. Always check directly with your HR department and insurance provider. Some employers voluntarily offer fertility benefits through companies like Carrot or Progyny even without a state requirement.
7 Ways to Actually Reduce Your IVF Cost
This isn't a list of vague "tips." These are concrete strategies that can save thousands:
- Verify your insurance first. Even in non-mandate states, some employers offer fertility benefits through Progyny, Carrot, or WINFertility. Your HR department may have benefits you don't know about.
- Use your FSA/HSA. IVF is a qualified medical expense. Contributing the maximum to your FSA gives you an immediate ~30% tax savings on those dollars.
- Apply for grants. RESOLVE, Baby Quest Foundation, and The Cade Foundation all offer grants of $2,000–$10,000+. Application windows are competitive but worth the effort.
- Ask about medication savings. Manufacturer discount programs (Compassionate Care from EMD Serono, ReUnite from Ferring), compounding pharmacies, and bulk purchasing through your clinic can cut medication costs by 20–50%.
- Consider budget clinics. CNY Fertility's $7,295 base price is a third of the national average. Their high-volume model makes it possible without cutting corners on lab quality.
- Explore IVF abroad. A complete cycle trip to Medellín, Colombia costs $6,000–$12,000 all-in. That's less than the US base procedure alone.
- Evaluate shared-risk programs carefully. Multi-cycle packages with partial refund guarantees can be a good deal if you need multiple rounds. But do the math—if you succeed on cycle one, you'll have overpaid compared to single-cycle pricing.
Total Cost to Baby: The Real Math
Most people don't get pregnant on the first IVF cycle. Here's what the realistic total investment looks like, based on national averages:
| Scenario | Cycles Needed | Estimated Total Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Success on first fresh transfer | 1 | $20,000–$25,000 |
| Success on frozen transfer (same retrieval) | 1 retrieval + 1 FET | $24,000–$30,000 |
| Average path to live birth (2–3 cycles) | 2–3 | $40,000–$60,000 |
| With PGT-A testing (common over 37) | 1–2 retrievals + FETs | $30,000–$50,000 |
| Donor egg cycle | 1 | $30,000–$50,000 |
| IVF abroad (Colombia, 2 cycles) | 2 | $12,000–$24,000 |
These numbers are significant, but they represent a path. Plenty of people find ways to make it work—through insurance, grants, creative financing, international options, or some combination. The first step is knowing exactly what you're dealing with. Now you do.