How to Pay for IVF Without Insurance
For those trying to conceive who do not have insurance coverage for fertility treatment, the thought of paying out-of-pocket for treatment costs can be daunting. The average cost of IVF in the US is $12,000 with an additional $5,000 average spent on medication, for a total of $17,000. In addition to that, with national average IVF success rates at 48%, many patients need to undergo 2-3 IVF cycles in order to get pregnant and have a baby. With the averages used above, the cost of having a baby with IVF can cost some patients more than $50,000.
With that said, we try to provide patients with reassurance that there are more affordable options across the US, starting at $4,990 for an IVF cycle. View our list of most affordable IVF clinics. Additionally, many patients who are having trouble conceiving can try less invasive and less costly fertility treatment alternatives, without needing IVF.
If you do need IVF and do not have insurance coverage, we’ve outlined the different payment options along with pros and cons.
IVF Payment Options
| Payment Type | Avg. Interest Rate | Avg. Repayment Term | Other Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Savings / HSA | 0% | N/A | N/A |
| Medical Loan | 4.99% – 24.99% | 2 – 8 years | May have application or origination fees |
| Home Refinance Loan | 2.2% – 3.2% | 15+ Years | May have application or origination fees |
| Credit Card | 14.99% – 24.99%+ | Ongoing | May have late payment fees or increasing interest rates |
Pros and Cons of Different Payment Options
1. Savings
If you are lucky enough to have some savings in the bank or an HSA (Health Savings Account), that is a great option to cover your out of pocket treatment costs.
Pros:
- No interest charged
- Some clinics offer discounted rates for cash payment
Cons:
- Less money in the bank for when your baby is born
Recommendations:
- We recommend asking your fertility clinic if they offer any special discounts or packages for patients without insurance, and patients paying in cash. Most fertility clinics pay processing fees of 2-3% on credit card transactions and 4.9% processing fees on medical loans. Therefore if you are paying in cash, you should in theory be able to get that amount discounted.
- We recommend providing the fertility clinic with your insurance information prior to your consultation, and asking them to investigate what if any treatment can be covered. Many clinics employ financial counsellors who are experts at dealing with insurance. Many fertility specialists are able to bill the initial consultation and investigative testing as “investigation of a disease” that can be billed under general insurance, even without any fertility coverage.
- We also recommend calling your insurance company and asking what, if any, fertility treatments are covered and what required there are to qualify.
2. Medical Loan
Medical loans (in particular fertility loans) are the next best option at paying for your out-of-pocket expenses. Medical loans generally start at 4.99% interest rate per year, and have terms from 2 years to 8 years, to allow for affordable monthly payments.
Pros:
- Lower interest rates than credit cards
- Affordable monthly repayments
- Set terms so that you don’t end up in continual debt
Cons:
- Paying interest on treatment charges
- Some lenders charge application fees or origination fees
Recommendation:
- We recommend comparing lenders to find one that does not charge you an application fee or origination fee, as the cost of treatment is high enough.
- We recommend asking the clinic if they have any multi-cycle discount packages or refund programs, before applying for a loan. Generally speaking it is easier to borrow money for a multi-cycle package upfront, rather than prospectively needing to apply for a second loan if the first IVF cycle is not successful.
- We recommend asking your clinic what lenders they will accept, as most lenders will only lend to clinics “in network”. However at the end of the day, the clinic wants your business. If you find a more affordable lending option, push their administrative team to accept it.
3. Home Refinance Loan
If you have a mortgage and have earned equity in your home over time, you may be able to get a home refinance loan. These loans will be borrowed against your home as an asset, as a second mortgage. The benefit to home refinance loans is that they tend to be at a really low interest rate, and can be paid off with your home, over time, so the monthly repayments can be more affordable.
Pros:
- Lower interest rates than medical loans and credit cards
- Long terms (15-30 years) to make affordable repayments
Cons:
- There is a risk in taking out a second mortgage on your home
- Paying interest on treatment charges
- Some lenders charge application fees or origination fees
Recommendation:
- If you do get a home refinance loan, and use those funds to pay for fertility treatment, the funds would likely be deposited into your personal bank account. As such, you may be able to ACH or wire transfer the funds directly to the clinic, which would be similar to a cash transaction. If this is the case, we recommend asking the clinic if they offer discounts for self-pay patients and those paying in cash.
- We recommend speaking to your financial manager or bank in detail about this before deciding to go ahead with this option.
4. Credit Card
More than 50% of fertility patients pay for treatment with their credit card. While this may be to earn points on their transactions, there are many people who are paying for the cost of treatment with funds they have available on credit, without thinking about the longer term implications. Credit cards often have much higher interest rates than medical loans, or extremely high rates after initial interest-free or low interest promotional periods. Credit cards often have late fees for missing payments. Additionally, because credit cards allow the customer to pay a minimum monthly fee, it can result in an ongoing cycle of debt.
Pros:
- Most people have a credit card readily available
- Some credit cards offer interest-free or low-interest promotional periods
- For some, only needing to pay the minimum monthly repayment enables them to get the treatment they need
Cons:
- High interest rates, generally ranging from 14.99% to over 24.99%
- Often have late payment or missed payment fees
- No set repayments, so can lead to an endless cycle of debt
Recommendation:
- Many credit card companies do offer low interest or interest-free promotional periods for new customers. If you choose to pay for treatment on a credit card, we recommend working out what your monthly repayment will be and what term you will repay it over, and sticking to that to avoid high interest fees charged over time.
- We also recommend comparing credit cards and finding one with a good offer, and asking your existing credit card provider if they’ll match the offer.
Alternative Options to Pay for IVF:
- Fertility Grants: there are a variety of fertility grants awarded each year to deserving patients. You can search them and apply online. However, there are often many applicants and not many grants given, so we don’t recommend planning your treatment around a grant.
- Friends and Family: many friends and family members will pitch in financially to help cover the cost of fertility treatment when asked. We recommend searching on GoFundMe and similar websites for ideas.
- Clinical Trials: Some fertility clinics and companies offer clinical trials in the fertility space. These can involve testing new medications, treatments or products in exchange for discounted or free fertility treatment. We recommend asking your fertility specialist if they know of any relevant trials, or where you can look to apply for them.
As always, we recommend doing your research. When it comes your health, you have to be your own biggest advocate. Use IVF Options to compare fertility clinics near you to ensure you’re finding the right treatment for your unique needs and budget.