Insurance Coverage for Infertility Treatments

For many infertile couples in the United States, the cost of infertility treatment is prohibitive. While many foreign countries, especially those with declining birthrates, subsidize in vitro fertilization (IVF), the United States government has not yet recognized infertility as a disability that warrants greater scrutiny. Luckily for some, however, legislature in 15 states mandates insurers to offer coverage for certain procedures, making infertility treatments more affordable for thousands of families.

IVF Cost

The first thought that comes to mind when most people consider in vitro fertilization (IVF) is not about its complexity or even its success rate. It’s about cost. Undeniably, IVF costs significantly more per attempt than alternative approaches such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) or a Clomid cycle with timed intercourse. However, although it may seem like a good idea to keep expenses low, one needs to consider the cumulative cost of having to repeat a low-cost procedure multiple times due to its lower success rates compared with IVF. (See my post “IUI vs. IVF: Cost Factor Revisited.”)

IUI Cost

Many couples who choose to pursue assisted reproduction opt for intrauterine insemination (IUI) first. Their physicians have informed them that the procedure is relatively simple and fast and would require lower doses of medication (if any). These are undeniably true statements, but they are typically followed by a much fuzzier claim regarding IUI cost. Here are some points to consider.