What Does Treatment of Infertility Cost?
Every year millions of couples learn that they have a problem with infertility and are launched into a very significant personal crisis. In the US alone somewhere around 9 million people are affected; it is estimated that roughly 10% of the relevant population is facing this condition. The emotional toll is tremendous, in terms of loss of self esteem and the possible loss of a dream. In times of economic hardship, the added infertility cost on a personal budget can be too much to take.
However, experts warn that the emotional aspects make it very hard to reach sound decisions about money. It is worthwhile to examine the likely actual costs associated with diagnosis and treatement, along with a brief discussion of possible ways to manage and minimize the costs.
Typical Infertility Cost Ranges
The range in infertility cost to a couple can range from a couple hundred dollars for herbal supplements and test kits, to tens of thousands of dollars for major medical procedures (possibly repeated numerous times). To be more specific, simple tests for hormones or sperm activity might run up to $100 to $200. An ultrasound can run a couple hundred dollars–this assumes the tests are done in a doctor’s office and not a clinic or hospital. More invasive tests like biopsies and diagnostic laparoscopy can run from say $400 to $2,000, maybe less. Some tests may be performed more than once during the course of the whole treatment.
Medication can run from less than $100 to several hundred dollars (one source had Clomid at $750 per cycle). Procedures to tream male infertility can run upwards of $2,000 to $3,000. But the big dollars apply to the more advanced ART procedures, which can run thousands of dollars per monthly cycle. Consultations and other items can add considerably. Total infertility costs often average $16,000 to $20,000 at a minimum, and can grow a great deal from there since pregnancy can take some time even with medical help.
Infertility Cost Strategies
The costs mentioned above can break a family financially. Some insurance plans offer at least partial coverage; read your policy carefully. A Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA) may let you declare the costs for infertility treatment as deductible expenses (confirm with your tax professional). It is possible to obtain various types of specialty infertility insurance; this is best obtained before you learn you have an infertility problem.
Dealing with infertility is stressful enough without the financial burden; using credit cards to pay for procedures and consultations at a high interest rate can really make things worse. To cover costs, some families without insurance sell off the boat, downsize the house or swap the expensive automobile for a cheaper model. Some obtain a loan against their home.
It is important to be realistic about what the potential infertility costs could run. Therefore, finding out exactly what the issue is can be very important. In other words, focus on a reliable diagnosis. That might mean going to a very experienced infertility specialist as soon as possible, rather than trying to figure it out with the family GP. One source indicates that finding the specialist early tends to increase the probability of success and reduces overall costs, on average.
In some cases the exact cause of infertility is unknown; in fact it may be unclear as to whether infertility is really a problem or if more time is needed. If in doubt and if the budget is very tight, using natural treatments, monitoring temperatures and patience may bring success at an affordable cost. But it may take time also; there is the tension of wanting success and having to pay for it.
Infertility cost is clearly a stressful concern for most couples faced with this challenge. Preparing financially for potential problems years before trying to get pregnant, including acquiring insurance perhaps a year in advance, certainly makes sense. In any event, having a good understanding of the whole subject before visiting the doctor will be worthwile.
