Egg-freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, is a fertility strategy that is widely accepted and growing increasingly popular among people who would like to pursue childrearing in the future. The process includes extracting, freezing, and storing the eggs. For each of these steps, there are costs. If you’re considering freezing your eggs, it’s important to understand the total cost of each part of the process, so you can be prepared—physically, emotionally, and financially—before undergoing treatment.
The Average Costs of Freezing Your Eggs
There will be costs associated with every aspect of the egg-freezing process, including consultation appointments, medications for stimulation and treatment, doctor visits, the egg harvesting procedure, egg storage, and the eventual unfreezing. It is important to note the cost of freezing your eggs will vary depending on where you live, which clinic you use, and what type of medical insurance you have. Samuel E. Brown, MD, and his team at Brown Fertility in Florida say the national average for an egg-freezing cycle in the U.S. can range between $8,000-$15,000. This cost may not always include additional third-party fees, such as medication expenses from the pharmacy, anesthesia, and any pre-genetic testing. Dr. Brown also adds the national average for new patient appointments can cost between $200-$500, while egg storage ranges between $500-$1000 per year. Jenna Turocy, MD, a fertility expert at Columbia University Fertility Center, cites a narrower cost window of $6,000 to $10,000 for initial consultations, ultrasounds, bloodwork monitoring, egg retrieval surgery, and freezing. But Dr. Turocy cautions that hormonal medications may add another $2,000 to $5,000. “In order to get pregnant using the eggs, [they] must be thawed, fertilized with sperm, and transferred into the uterus,” Dr. Turocy adds. “These additional steps can cost over $10,000.” If a person chooses to undergo multiple egg-freezing cycles to increase the chance of success, the fees start over again. “It’s important to note that sometimes fertility centers are not upfront with their pricing,” Dr. Brown says. “A clinic could quote $6,000 for a cycle, but then add on necessary services [that] double the original estimate.” It’s a good idea to ask fertility clinics for inclusive cost sheets if they have them, to ensure you are informed about the entire financial commitment before making any decisions.
Factors That Influence Fertility Costs
There are many factors that influence egg cryopreservation treatment fees. Claire O’Neill is a co-founder of FertilitySpace, an online platform helping individuals find fertility clinics and physicians. She notes that small things, like which brand of medication you are prescribed, can also change the costs. Your body’s response to treatment can even play a role in the final price tag. “The change in the cost of an egg-freezing cycle mostly depends on how much fertility medication you need, based on your body’s response,” O’Neill says. “If you need a couple more days of injections compared to the average person, you’ll also need extra monitoring appointments, which can change your total cost as well.” Additionally, environmental factors based on where you live can impact treatment costs. Dr. Brown points to transportation back and forth from appointments as an expense that can easily add up.
Money-Saving Advice from Experts
There are many ways to save on treatment for egg-freezing, including shopping around for price comparisons and knowing your insurance coverage. A number of organizations and private foundations offer grants to improve the affordability of assisted reproductive health services for aspiring parents from different backgrounds and locations. Grants typically range from $500 to $20,000 each and can apply to the entire in-vitro fertilization process, including any required egg or sperm freezing. Application requirements vary but sometimes an infertility diagnosis and income verifications must be provided. Otherwise, most clinics offer payment plans. On-site billing specialists can explain financing options, in light of your specific health insurance coverage. Dr. Turocy notes that, although insurance traditionally does not cover elective egg-freezing, this is slowly changing. Companies are starting to add fertility treatment to their insurance plans or employee benefits. That said, it is important to research the terms available, as some bills are paid upfront by the insurance company, while other expenses are reimbursable. O’Neill says that fertility medications are an area of treatment where the patient can best control costs. “Some women can qualify for discounted medication by applying for the Compassionate Care Program through EMD Serono [through Merck],” O’Neill explains. “The discounts are tiered based on income, so if you qualify, you could get as much as 75% off of your fertility medications through this program.” She also advises patients to speak with their healthcare providers to strategize on medication costs, as some name brands are more costly than others. She suggests ordering the first four or five days of medication to your pharmacy and then order more as you go. This approach avoids paying for more medication than you need since it can be difficult to predict how your body will respond to treatments. “While some clinics may advertise a low-cost option to freeze eggs, I recommend women only choose clinics with a reputable embryology lab with proven live birth success rates from freezing and thawing eggs,” Dr. Turocy adds. “It’s important to ask clinics for their live birth success rates from thawed eggs as well. Since eggs are incredibly fragile, it is best to invest in a skilled embryologist from the outset, rather than running the risk of needing another round."
Long-Term Costs to Keep in Mind
After a successful round of harvesting, there are also storage costs. How much storage will cost depends on the clinic and how long you plan to wait to conceive. O’Neill says the typical cost for egg storage is $600 per year, but if you’re planning on long-term storage, there may be discounted packages available.
A Word from Verywell
If egg freezing has been on your mind lately, you’re not alone. Between lowered costs across the industry and many companies offering employee benefits to offset the price, egg freezing is becoming more affordable for the average person. Ironically, news reports showed that the pandemic afforded many busy women in the U.S. and the U.K. (and likely other places too) the opportunity to complete a full cycle. Whether you’re battling a chronic illness, experiencing infertility, or in a same-sex couple, egg freezing may be a small price to pay to safeguard the choice to grow your family whenever you’re ready.
