Extra Costs of Fertility Treatments: Meds, Egg/Sperm Cryopreservation, PGT, etc. 

Fertility treatments can provide a lifeline for individuals or couples who are struggling to conceive, but additional fertility treatment costs can mount quickly and unexpectedly. IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation) and multiple subsequent treatments are only the initial stage of fertility treatment; they help you address basic questions and guide you through preliminary procedures. However, you will also need medications, egg or sperm freezing, Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT), and additional medical operations, all of which can significantly increase your costs. Knowing what these costs are and preparing for them are critically important for those going through fertility treatments. 

Here’s a closer look at some of the additional fertility treatment costs that often arise beyond standard IVF procedures:

1. Medications 

Medications are frequently a major component of fertility treatments. For instance, during an IVF cycle, fertility medications stimulate the body to produce multiple eggs necessary for the procedure. Prices for these medications vary from treatment to treatment. 

• Stimulation Medications: Gonadotropins are used to stimulate the ovaries and produce eggs. Costs for these drugs can run from $2,000 to $5,000 per cycle, depending on the medication prescribed and dosage. 
• Hormonal Medications: Following egg extraction, hormones such as progesterone or estrogen can be used to prepare the uterine lining for an embryo to attach. These drugs generally run between $500 and $2,000. 
• Ongoing Medications: In some procedures, like IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) or egg retrieval cycles, medications are started earlier and are required for a longer period of time to support the pregnancy or to help with subsequent stages of fertility treatments, which increases the overall cost. 

2. Egg/Sperm Freezing 

Egg or sperm freezing is an established procedure for people who wish to preserve their fertility, whether for medical or personal reasons. This process also permits patients to freeze eggs or sperm for use later in fertility treatments. 

• Egg Freezing: Egg freezing is a multi-step procedure that includes ovarian stimulation to develop eggs, egg retrieval for egg recovery, and freezing. Egg freezing may cost $6,000 to $15,000 for a given cycle, not including medication and storage fees. Drugs for ovarian stimulation run an extra $2,000 to $5,000. 
• Storage Fees: Once your eggs or sperm are frozen, you’ll usually have to pay annual storage fees. Depending on the clinic and the length of storage, such fees can be from $500 to $1,000 per year. 
• Sperm Freezing: For sperm freezing, the cost is generally lower, typically around $500 to $1,000 for collection, freezing, and initial storage. However, ongoing storage fees will still apply.

3. Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT)  

PGT, or genetic screening, is a procedure where embryos are screened for specific genetic disorders or chromosomal abnormalities prior to implantation in IVF. "This test has the potential to minimise the transmission of genetic conditions and maximise the likelihood of a successful pregnancy." 

• Cost of PGT: A PGT adds about $3,000 to $7,000 to the IVF cycle cost, depending on the clinic and what type of PGT is performed (e.g., PGT-A to test for aneuploidy, PGT-M to test for monogenic disorders, or PGT-SR to test for structural rearrangements). 
• Additional IVF Expense: Since PGT typically occurs alongside an IVF cycle, it raises the overall cost of the IVF treatment. 

4. Additional Fertility Procedures and Tests 

Other ancillary fertility services may incur additional expenses aside from medication, egg/sperm freezing, and genetic testing. These include:

• Ultrasounds and Blood Tests: This service is a minor surgical procedure where eggs are collected from the ovaries using a thin needle guided by ultrasound. Usually, this procedure takes place under sedation. The tests cost anywhere from $200 to $1,000 per visit. 
• Embryo Freezing: If you have spare embryos after an IVF cycle, you can choose to freeze them for potential future use. Frozen embryo transfer can cost anywhere between $1,000 and $2,000 — not including the yearly mirror fees. 
• Egg Retrieval and Sperm Collection: These procedures are usually included in IVF but may be priced separately, particularly if the retrieval or collection was complex with complications. 

5. Donor Eggs/Sperm 

Egg or sperm donation may be needed if individuals or couples cannot use their eggs or sperm. The price for donor eggs or sperm can range widely and depends on whether the donor is anonymous or known, the clinic, and the location.

• Egg Donation: The price for a donor can range from about $10,000 to $30,000 or more; that usually includes compensation for the donor herself, medical procedures, screenings, and legal fees.
• Sperm Donation: The price to use donor sperm typically comes to around $300–$1,000 per vial, not including insemination or IVF treatments. 

6. Legal and Counselling Fees 

For patients using egg or sperm donors or going through surrogacy, there are extra legal fees, as contracts need to be drafted to ensure all parties’ rights are protected. Legal fees vary; expect to pay $2,000 to $10,000 or more. Counselling sessions, commonly suggested for individuals or couples undergoing fertility treatments, might come with extra costs as well. 

7. Insurance and Financing 

Many insurance plans do not cover fertility treatments, although some will cover specific components of those treatments. This can result in patients having to cover the entire cost themselves. The clinic may offer payment plans, loans, or financing options to help with finances. 

Conclusion

While fertility treatments can be a source of hope for many, the costs can be steep. Fertility medications, egg/sperm freezing, genetic testing, and other services can significantly contribute to the total cost of fertility care. It’s important that people and couples discuss possible additional costs with their fertility clinic in advance and consider if they need to explore financing options. Fertility treatments aren’t cheap, and understanding additional fertility treatment costs, like medications, storage, and genetic testing, is essential for financial planning. Thankfully, ongoing advancements in reproductive medicine continue to improve outcomes.