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IVF can be very expensive. The North Carolina Center for Reproductive Medicine charges about $11,000 for just one cycle of IVF. This procedure is a lifeline to people who are unable to conceive naturally. Finding an insurance company that provides coverage for this procedure while still having reasonable health insurance costs can relieve some of the financial stress.
Which states have made IVF coverage mandatory?
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 15 states have some type of legislation that mandates specific requirements regarding infertility. That does not guarantee that IVF is mandated to be covered by that legislation. The following is a list of all 15 states and their basic guidelines for IVF coverage:
- Arkansas requires coverage for IVF on group and individual policies, but not on HMO policies
- California does not require insurance companies to cover IVF
- Connecticut allows insurance companies to limit IVF coverage to two cycles in a lifetime
- Hawai’i only requires insurance companies to cover one cycle of IVF
- Illinois requires group health insurance and HMOs with more than 25 employees to offer IVF coverage
- Louisiana does not require insurance companies to cover IVF or any other infertility treatments
- Maryland requires health insurance policies to cover three cycles of IVF per live birth
- Massachusetts requires individual and group insurance policies to cover IVF
- Montana requires HMOs to cover IVF as part of their basic health care services
- New Jersey requires insurance companies to offer coverage for IVF
- New York does not require insurance companies to cover IVF
- Ohio does not require insurance companies to cover IVF
- Rhode Island requires group insurance and HMO policies to cover IVF
- Texas requires group insurance companies to offer coverage of IVF but allows employers to choose if they want to include infertility coverage
- West Virginia requires HMOs to cover IVF as part of their basic health care services
Why is IVF so expensive?
The Oxford Journals posted a study that showed the United States has the highest cost for fertility treatments of all countries that allow them. The reason behind this is because there is a lack of insurance coverage which generally drives medical costs down. Infertility treatments are viewed by consumers as a luxury expense and when a family cannot afford the costs they are forced to look at other options for having a family.
IVF treatments involve a series of steps that when broken down reveal why the costs are so high. Many women will need multiple cycles before they conceive as well. IVF treatments include drugs to stimulate egg production, retrieval of the eggs, fertilization, and placement in the uterus. This will also include the medications, lab work, and tests needed to optimize success.
How can I find a high quality clinic which performs IVF?
Many clinics have opened nationwide with the hopes of providing IVF treatments at substantially lower prices. Many times these clinics and doctors are met with skepticism because lower prices are viewed as a lower quality of care. This may not be the case; thoroughly researching a doctor and the clinic is the best way to choose a fertility clinic.
Make sure the doctor is board certified in the field of reproductive medicine. Ask about their success rates and if they have references. Many people are willing to provide a reference if they had a good experience with the doctor. Look for support groups in your area; these are great ways to find referrals!
Are there any ways to lower costs of IVF?
Without insurance to cover some of the costs you may not have many options to reduce the price. Thoroughly research clinics and compare costs with what services are included in the treatment. Always make sure the doctor is properly licensed.
You can also find companies that offer IVF health insurance benefits. These plans do not cover the costs they simply offer you a chance to recoup some of the cost if you fail to conceive. If you are at risk for multiple failures though, they may refuse to write a policy for you.
Looking for health insurance companies in your area that may offer IVF coverage? To get some health insurance quotes right now, use the FREE ZIP code search tool!