IVF Cost in the USA 2026: State-by-State Comparison & How to Afford Treatment
Published: January 2026 · 14 min read
$15,000-$30,000
Avg Cost Per Cycle
$5,000-$7,000
Medication Costs
21 states
Have Insurance Mandates
27%
Have Full IVF Coverage
IVF costs in the USA vary dramatically by state, clinic, and insurance coverage. While the national average is $15,000-$20,000 per cycle, total costs including medications and add-ons can reach $30,000+. Understanding your state's insurance mandates and available financing options is crucial for planning.
How much does IVF cost in the USA in 2026?
IVF costs $15,000-$20,000 per cycle for basic treatment (consultation, monitoring, egg retrieval, fertilisation, transfer). Add medications ($5,000-$7,000), ICSI ($2,000-$3,000), PGT-A testing ($3,000-$6,000), and embryo freezing ($800-$1,500/year). Total first cycle: $25,000-$35,000 without insurance. Costs vary by state: California $20,000-$30,000, Texas $12,000-$18,000, New York $18,000-$25,000. 21 states have insurance mandates providing partial or full coverage.
Which US states require insurance to cover IVF?
21 states have fertility insurance mandates: Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Vermont, and West Virginia. 'Mandate to cover' states (full IVF coverage): Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Rhode Island, West Virginia. 'Mandate to offer' states (must offer option): California, Montana, New York, Texas. Coverage details vary—check your specific plan.
Does insurance cover IVF in America?
IVF insurance coverage in USA depends on: (1) Your state's mandate laws (21 states require some coverage), (2) Your employer plan type (self-funded plans exempt from mandates), (3) Your diagnosis (some plans only cover medical infertility). Only 27% of Americans with employer insurance have full IVF coverage. Most plans that cover IVF limit to 1-4 cycles with lifetime cap ($15,000-$100,000). Medicare doesn't cover IVF. Medicaid coverage varies by state (rare). Check your plan's Summary of Benefits.
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Complete IVF Cost Breakdown (USA)
Here's what you can expect to pay for a standard IVF cycle in the USA in 2026:
| Item | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Initial consultation & testing | $500 - $2,000 |
| IVF cycle (monitoring, retrieval, transfer) | $12,000 - $18,000 |
| Medications (stimulation drugs) | $5,000 - $7,000 |
| ICSI (if needed) | $2,000 - $3,000 |
| PGT-A genetic testing | $3,000 - $6,000 |
| Embryo freezing & storage (1 year) | $800 - $1,500 |
| Frozen embryo transfer (FET) | $3,000 - $5,000 |
| Anesthesia | $500 - $1,000 |
| Total (full cycle with ICSI & PGT-A) | $26,800 - $38,500 |
Why Is IVF So Expensive in the USA?
US IVF costs 2-3x more than in Europe due to:
- • Higher healthcare system costs overall
- • More expensive medications (no price regulation)
- • Facility fees and physician compensation
- • Lack of universal healthcare coverage
- • Add-on treatments marketed more aggressively
IVF Cost by State (2026)
IVF pricing varies significantly by region, with coastal cities being most expensive:
California (SF Bay, LA, San Diego)
Mandate to offer • High competition
New York (NYC, Long Island)
Mandate to offer • Large clinics
Massachusetts (Boston area)
Mandate to cover • Comprehensive coverage
Illinois (Chicago)
Mandate to cover • Good access
Texas (Houston, Dallas, Austin)
Mandate to offer • Lower costs
Florida (Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville)
No mandate • Moderate costs
Midwest (Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota)
Ohio has mandate • Lower costs
Southeast (Georgia, North Carolina)
No mandate • Lower costs
Medical Tourism Within the USA
Some patients travel to lower-cost states for IVF (Texas, Georgia, etc.), saving $5,000-$10,000 per cycle. Consider: travel costs, time off work, need for multiple visits, and whether your insurance covers out-of-state care. Reputable clinics exist nationwide.
State Insurance Mandates: Who's Required to Cover IVF?
21 states have laws requiring some level of fertility coverage. There are two types of mandates:
"Mandate to Cover" States
Insurance plans MUST include IVF coverage:
- • Arkansas
- • Colorado
- • Connecticut
- • Delaware
- • Hawaii
- • Illinois
- • Maryland
- • Massachusetts
- • New Hampshire
- • New Jersey
- • Rhode Island
- • West Virginia
"Mandate to Offer" States
Insurers must OFFER option (employer can decline):
- • California
- • Louisiana (IUI only, not IVF)
- • Maine
- • Montana
- • New York
- • Ohio
- • Texas
- • Utah
- • Vermont
Less comprehensive—check if your employer purchased coverage.
State Mandate Details
Massachusetts (Best Coverage)
Covers unlimited cycles with diagnosis of infertility. No age limit. No lifetime cap. Includes egg freezing for medical reasons.
Illinois
Covers 4 egg retrievals (no transfer limit). Applies to companies with 25+ employees. No age limit in law (insurers may set own).
New Jersey
Covers up to 4 IVF cycles. Applies to companies with 50+ employees. Lifetime max often $100,000.
Connecticut
Covers 2 egg retrievals (4 transfers max). Female under 40 at start. Applies to most employers.
Important Exception: Self-Funded Plans
Approximately 60% of employer plans are self-funded (employer pays claims directly, insurance company just administers). Self-funded plans are exempt from state mandatesunder ERISA federal law. Even in "mandate to cover" states, your employer's self-funded plan doesn't have to cover IVF. Check your Summary Plan Description.
Understanding Your IVF Insurance Coverage
If you have fertility coverage, here's what to look for:
Key Questions to Ask Your Insurance
- 1. Is IVF covered? (vs just IUI/testing)
- 2. How many cycles? (Retrievals vs transfers vs total tries)
- 3. Lifetime maximum? ($10,000? $50,000? $100,000? Unlimited?)
- 4. What's included? (Medications? ICSI? PGT-A? Embryo storage?)
- 5. Age limits? (Under 40? Under 43?)
- 6. Do I need a diagnosis? (Medical infertility vs elective)
- 7. Pre-authorization required? (What paperwork needed?)
- 8. In-network clinics? (Which clinics accept my plan?)
- 9. Deductible/co-pays? (What will I pay out-of-pocket?)
- 10. Is my plan self-funded? (Exempt from state mandates if yes)
Common Coverage Limitations
- • Cycle caps: Most cover 2-4 cycles maximum
- • Lifetime maximums: $15,000-$100,000 total
- • Age restrictions: Often under 40 or 42
- • Diagnosis requirement: Need documented infertility (1-2 years trying)
- • Step therapy: Must try IUI before IVF covered
- • Network requirements: Only certain clinics covered
- • Prior authorization: Can take 2-4 weeks
- • Experimental exclusion: PGT-A may not be covered
Best Employer Plans for IVF Coverage
Some employers known for excellent fertility benefits:
- • Tech companies: Google, Meta, Apple, Microsoft, Salesforce
- • Consulting: Deloitte, PwC, EY
- • Finance: Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, Bank of America
- • Retail: Starbucks, Walmart
- • Others: Chobani, Intel, Pinterest
Many offer $20,000-$50,000 lifetime fertility benefits through Progyny, Carrot, or Maven.
IVF Financing & Payment Options (USA)
1. IVF Refund/Shared Risk Programs
Pay upfront for multiple cycles; get partial refund if no baby:
- • Cost: $25,000-$40,000 for 3-6 cycles
- • 70-100% refund if no live birth
- • Strict eligibility (good prognosis required)
- • Offered by: Shady Grove, CCRM, RMA, others
2. Fertility-Specific Lenders
- • Future Family: $5,000-$100,000, 2-7 year terms, 5-15% APR
- • Prosper Healthcare Lending: Up to $100,000, 6.99-35.99% APR
- • CapexMD: Medical loans, 0-26.99% APR
- • Care Credit: Medical credit card, promotional 0% if paid within 6-24 months
3. Multi-Cycle Discount Packages
Clinics offer bundles with 15-30% discount:
- • 3 cycles for price of 2.5 cycles
- • Usually excludes medications
- • May be non-refundable
4. 401(k) Loans
Borrow from your retirement (up to $50,000 or 50% of vested balance). Low interest paid to yourself, but reduces retirement savings and must repay if you leave job. Consider carefully.
5. Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)
If you own a home, HELOC rates (6-9%) are typically lower than personal loans. Tax-deductible interest in some cases. Risk: home is collateral.
6. Grants & Scholarships
Limited grants available for specific circumstances:
- • Baby Quest Foundation (awards $2,000-$15,000 grants)
- • Cade Foundation (LGBTQ+ focus)
- • Pay it Forward Fertility Foundation
- • Individual clinic financial aid programs
7. Medication Discount Programs
- • Compassionate Care programs: 25-75% discount based on income (EMD Serono, Ferring)
- • ReUnite Rx: Donated leftover medications (steep discounts)
- • IVF Meds Abroad: International pharmacy (30-50% savings, requires travel)
- • GoodRx, RxSaver: Small savings on some fertility drugs
IVF Tax Deductions (USA)
IVF expenses CAN be tax-deductible as medical expenses if you itemize deductions:
What You Can Deduct
- • IVF treatment costs (retrieval, transfer, monitoring)
- • Fertility medications
- • ICSI, PGT-A, embryo storage
- • Doctor visits, consultations, testing
- • Travel for treatment (mileage, parking, tolls, lodging)
- • Insurance premiums (portion covering medical, not already deducted pre-tax)
Requirements
- 1. Must itemize deductions (vs standard deduction of $13,850 single / $27,700 married 2026)
- 2. Medical expenses must exceed 7.5% of AGI (Adjusted Gross Income)
- 3. Only amount ABOVE 7.5% threshold is deductible
Example Calculation
• Your AGI: $100,000
• 7.5% threshold: $7,500
• Total IVF expenses: $30,000
• Deductible amount: $30,000 - $7,500 = $22,500
• Tax savings (24% bracket): $22,500 x 0.24 = $5,400 saved
HSA/FSA for IVF
You CAN use Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) funds for IVF:
- • HSA: Contribute up to $4,150 (individual) or $8,300 (family) in 2026
- • FSA: Contribute up to $3,200 in 2026 (use-it-or-lose-it)
- • Pre-tax dollars reduce taxable income
- • Save 20-35% depending on your tax bracket
- • Covers IVF treatment, medications, and related expenses
How to Save Money on IVF in the USA
💊 Medication Savings
- • Use manufacturer compassionate care programs (25-75% off)
- • Buy from ReUnite Rx (donated meds, huge discounts)
- • Consider international pharmacies (30-50% savings)
- • Ask about biosimilars vs branded drugs
- • Split vials with other patients if possible
🏥 Clinic Selection
- • Compare 3+ clinics (prices vary $5K+)
- • Consider university-affiliated clinics (lower costs)
- • Look at clinics in lower-cost states
- • Ask about multi-cycle discounts
- • Negotiate—some clinics will match prices
📋 Insurance Maximisation
- • Check if switching to employer plan with coverage is possible
- • Get all testing/diagnostics done before deductible resets
- • Appeal insurance denials (success rate: 30-50%)
- • Code diagnoses correctly (infertility vs elective)
- • Use in-network providers when possible
➕ Skip Unnecessary Add-Ons
- • Question PGT-A if under 35 with good prognosis
- • Skip time-lapse imaging (EmbryoScope) if no proven benefit
- • Avoid endometrial scratch (recent studies show no benefit)
- • Ask: "Will this improve MY specific chances?"
Planning Your IVF Budget
Budget for $25,000-$35,000 per cycle if paying out-of-pocket. Most people need 2-3 cycles for success. With strategic planning—insurance maximisation, medication discounts, and smart clinic selection—you can reduce costs by $5,000-$15,000.
- Check your state's insurance mandates first
- Verify if your employer plan is self-funded (exempts state mandates)
- Get itemised quotes from 3+ clinics
- Apply for medication assistance programs early
- Max out HSA/FSA contributions
- Keep receipts for tax deductions
Track Your IVF Expenses
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Frequently Asked Questions
References
Cost data compiled from SART (Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology), FertilityIQ surveys, and pricing from 50+ US fertility clinics (2026). State mandate information from RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association and state legislature websites. Insurance coverage statistics from SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) and Kaiser Family Foundation. Tax information from IRS Publication 502.