IVF Funding: Guide to Costs, Fundraising, and Treatments

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| 10 min read Fundraising Strategy

Starting a family can be a thrilling time, but it’s not uncommon for the process to be harder or more costly than you originally imagined.

It’s estimated that 10% of American women in the United States are diagnosed with infertility according to the Office of Women’s Health.

If you or someone you know has been hit with this disheartening news, it’s important to be informed about what lies ahead, and what you can do to help. We’ve put together a guide on fertility treatment, fertility care and reproductive medicine and how much you can expect it to cost – and how you can finance it.

Which fertility treatment option is best for you?

After researching possible causes and working with your doctor, you may have determined that natural conception is probably not in the cards. Now, it’s time to weigh your options and forge ahead with a new plan for the type of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) fertility treatment that’s right for you. You could also consider seeing a fertility specialist to discuss your best options early on.

1. Fertility medications

There are five commonly prescribed drugs to treat female infertility that often serve as the first step along the path to conception. These aren’t for everyone, however, as depending on the health and age of the patient, certain fertility drug complications can arise. As always, it’s important to speak to a healthcare provider to get the full picture.

There’s also the option for fertility preservation, which could include egg freezing or sperm freezing to preserve the cells so that you can have a family later down the line. You may choose to freeze your eggs, for example, if you would like the option for children but not at present to try to maintain their quality, or if you are going through invasive treatments for illnesses like cancer which may affect your fertility. Often, insurance companies won’t provide cover for egg freezing unless it is for the latter reason, so worth checking. There also may be storage fees associated with this where you pay clinics to keep your eggs stored plus the cost of treatment itself. The average cost of egg freezing out-of-pocket is $8,000-$15,000 per cycle.

2. Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

This method is a common choice for male-factor infertility and proves less expensive and less invasive than IVF or In Vitro Fertilization. That said, many studies show that it can take multiple attempts before conception is achieved and with each cycle costing about $3,000 what seems like a more affordable option can add up quickly.

3. In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

More than three million babies have been born as a result of this incredible IVF procedure, according to WebMD. Together with an outstanding 41% success rate for women under 35, this is one of the most sought-after fertility treatments available. With the high price tag of over $12,000 for one IVF cycle of treatment , however, many couples prefer to explore other options first. To help determine the approximate cost of IVF for you, use this IVF calculator.

How does the IVF process work? Firstly if you are a new patient, as a couple you will go through an initial consultation to check for health problems. Men will go through semen analysis to check their sperm quality, and women an ovarian reserve test to check the quality and number of eggs, plus a uterine evaluation to ensure the womb is healthy – this may involve ultrasounds and blood tests. Women will then be given hormone injections to simulate the ovaries to produce eggs, plus a trigger injection to mature them. The next step is egg retrieval and at the same time sperm is collected. The eggs are then fertilized by insemination – placed in a dish together. If the sperm quality is poorer, a procedure called Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection or ICSI is used, where a single sperm is injected into each egg.

If the eggs are successfully fertilized they become embryos, allowed to develop for several days and then the best ones are selected for transfer. Other embryos of good quality are frozen, a process called cryopreservation or embryo storage, which may allow for a frozen embryo transfer or FET later down the line. Preimplantation genetic testing, or PGT, may take place, screening for abnormalities before they are implanted. Embryos are then transferred into the women’s uterus and then there is a waiting period to see if they will implant and her become pregnant.

4. Using donor eggs and donor sperm

When going through IVF, there’s also the option to use donor eggs or donor sperm if there are problems with either being low quality. For eggs, an egg donor (usually age 18-35 with no known inheritable health problems) provides the egg. They may be known to you or egg donation can happen through a clinic, so a stranger. These are then are fertilised with your partner’s sperm before being implanted. This could be an option if you don’t produce eggs, if you have poor egg quality or if your number of eggs has declined.

For sperm donors, the process is the same but in reverse. Sperm donors can be chosen through sperm banks or they might be known donors. This is also an option for same sex couples who need sperm to fertilise one of their own eggs.

Three ways to supplement the costs of IVF treatments

With only 15 US states requiring ART to be covered by insurance plans, you’ll likely need to examine supplementary funding options if you don’t have insurance coverage to complete your IVF journey. It’s important to also remember the total cost of fertility treatment may amount to more – with additional costs coming from treatment down the line if you get pregnant or need to try again.

1. Grants for IVF

Many organizations offer financial assistance through the use of scholarships or grants. Each site specifies what financial need requirements are needed so that it’s easy to determine if you or the couple you know are able to apply.

2. IVF financing and shared-risk programs

These solution-oriented organizations focus on helping couples manage their finances as they navigate the process of ART. Take a look below at the financing options:

  • Lending Club provides loans for your specific medical needs and creates personalized payment plans to help make overwhelming costs more manageable.
  • Shady Grove Fertility offers discounts on treatments if a pregnancy or live birth doesn’t occur within a specified period of time.

3. Crowdfunding for IVF

This method of fundraising is gaining popularity in recent years as people everywhere are getting more comfortable with using their social networks to raise the funds they need to cover these pricey treatments. Organizers have started thousands of IVF fundraisers on GoFundMe since 2010.

IVF cost and fundraising tips

Set your fundraising goal

Behind every successful fundraising effort is a basic plan of action—and we’re here to help you choose your goals for your fundraiser. It begins with setting a goal amount. As with any medical procedure, it’s important to factor in the price tag of at least one of the IVF cycles itself, and all the smaller expenses that can really add up—including any unpaid time off work, expensive medications, transportation, copays, etc.

Tell your story honestly and clearly

You might think your friends and family already know your story, but telling your story well can make a huge difference in your fundraising efforts. On your fundraiser page, tell your story honestly and clearly—share your personal experiences and add photos and videos. This is the story that you’re inviting your supporters to become part of. See our post for more tips on fundraiser storytelling.

Get social

Through the power of social networks, your IVF story can reach family, friends, friends of friends, and even sympathetic strangers around the world. When posting a link to your IVF treatment fundraiser on social media, ask friends and family to share it. To add your own spin to your fundraiser, come up with a fundraiser hashtag that allows people to more easily follow your journey. You might even consider creating a blog to tell the story of your journey. For more tips on how to use social media with crowdfunding, see our social media tips.

Bring people into the story with updates

Posting frequent updates is essential. It helps keep supporters in the loop and shows potential donors how much their donation could help. Showcase your gratitude. Share messages of hope. If you keep supporters engaged, they’ll be more likely to donate again, or repeatedly share your story with their social networks. For more guidance on posting updates, see How to Write a Fundraiser Update.

Thank your supporters

In the world of fundraising, there’s a whole set of best practices and guidelines around thanking people who donate to a cause—and it isn’t just about showing good manners. In this case, the cause is yours—take a moment to familiarize yourself with our essential guide to thanking donors.

Successful IVF fundraisers on GoFundMe

Successful in vitro fertilizations fundraisers can serve as a model for your own. Take a look at how these families told their story, post updates, and more:

1. Love Notes for Baby H – (IVF Funds)

After eight years of marriage and four years of trying for the baby they so badly yearned for, Courtney and Briger Harrison had exhausted their options—and their savings account. Seeing the emotional toll that this absence was taking on her best friend, Shianne Chambers stepped in with a plan. She created a GoFundMe fundraiser that explained their plight. Within 6 months, they raised enough funds to help them pay for their IVF costs and went to a fertility clinic, and were blessed to find out they were expecting not only one, but two bundles of joy.

2. Believing for a Baby for The Rogers

Rachael Rogers and her husband, Matthew, had been trying everything under the sun to get pregnant. After months of experimenting with everything from vitamins and vacations to acupuncture and faithful prayers, they decided they were ready to call in the experts. After a disheartening diagnosis of endometriosis, they knew it was time to try IVF, but were wary of the $20,000 price tag placed on their dream. Rachael started a GoFundMe fundraiser where she could share their story with the community. In just three short months, the couple reached their goal and used the $20,225 in donations to fund their medical treatment costs. Today, they are joyfully expecting a little baby girl and couldn’t be any more grateful.

Start fundraising for IVF today

In vitro fertilization fundraising is a natural fit with GoFundMe’s crowdfunding platform and giving the community. Start your fundraiser today. Payments may be accepted with credit cards and other payment methods

Start your IVF fundraiser

Written by GoFundMe