IVFPath

10 Essential Questions to Ask Your Clinic About IVF Costs

Published: January 2026 · 8 min read

$12-30K

Average IVF Cost

30-50%

Medication Share

$3-6K

PGT Testing

$500-1K

Annual Storage

Quick Answer

IVF typically costs between $12,000 and $30,000 per cycle in the United States. To avoid hidden expenses, patients should specifically ask about medication costs (30-50% of total), anesthesia fees, ICSI/PGT testing costs, embryo storage fees, and refund policies for cancelled cycles. The initial quote from clinics often doesn't include all expenses.

For many families, the financial stress of IVF is just as significant as the emotional burden. The "initial quote" from clinics often doesn't include the full picture. Before signing any contract, bring this checklist to your financial coordinator consultation.

What is the average cost of IVF treatment?

IVF costs range from $12,000 to $30,000 per cycle in the US. This includes stimulation monitoring, egg retrieval, lab work, and embryo transfer. However, medications ($3,000-$7,000), ICSI ($1,500-$3,000), PGT testing ($3,000-$6,000), and embryo storage ($500-$1,000/year) are often billed separately.

What hidden fees should I ask about before IVF?

Key hidden IVF fees to ask about include: anesthesia (often billed separately by third party), medication costs (not in base quote), ICSI and PGT per-embryo charges, embryo freezing and annual storage, cycle cancellation fees, outside monitoring coordination fees, and administrative charges like medical records transfer.

Do IVF clinics offer refunds if treatment fails?

Some clinics offer multi-cycle packages with partial refund guarantees if treatment is unsuccessful after 2-3 transfers. Policies vary widely: some refund only unused services (like transfer fee if cancelled before transfer), while others offer comprehensive 'shared risk' programs. Always ask about specific refund scenarios before starting.

The 10 Questions

  1. What exactly is included in the quoted price?
  2. What are the estimated medication costs?
  3. Is anesthesia included or billed separately?
  4. How much do ICSI and PGT cost?
  5. What are the embryo freezing and storage fees?
  6. What is your refund policy for cancelled cycles?
  7. Do you offer multi-cycle packages or refund programs?
  8. What financing options are available?
  9. Can I do monitoring at a local clinic?
  10. What other administrative fees might apply?
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Free IVF Cost Checklist

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1. What exactly is included in the quoted price?

Ask whether the quote is a "bundled package" or "itemized billing". Specifically confirm if it includes:

  • Stimulation monitoring (ultrasounds and blood work)
  • Egg retrieval procedure
  • Laboratory embryo culture
  • Embryo transfer procedure
  • Post-transfer monitoring

Why it matters: Some clinics quote only the retrieval fee, while others include the full cycle. A "$10,000 IVF" quote missing key components can easily become $20,000+.

2. What are the estimated medication costs?

Medications typically account for 30-50% of total IVF costs, yet clinic quotes often exclude them entirely. Ask:

  • What is the typical medication cost range for patients like me?
  • Which pharmacies do you recommend?
  • Are there discount codes or manufacturer programs available?
  • Can I use a specialty pharmacy for lower prices?

Tip: Medication costs range from $3,000 to $7,000+ depending on protocol and response.Track your medication expenses with IVFPath to stay on budget.

3. Is anesthesia included or billed separately?

Egg retrieval requires sedation or anesthesia. At many clinics, the anesthesiologist is an external contractor who bills you separately.

  • Is anesthesia included in the retrieval fee?
  • If separate, what is the typical cost?
  • Will I receive a separate bill from the anesthesia provider?

Expect: Anesthesia fees typically range from $400 to $1,500. This is often a surprise bill that arrives weeks after retrieval.

4. How much do ICSI and PGT cost?

These laboratory procedures are often recommended but rarely included in base pricing:

ICSI

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection

$1,500 - $3,000

PGT-A

Preimplantation Genetic Testing

$3,000 - $6,000+

  • What is the per-embryo cost for PGT?
  • Is there a minimum "batch" fee regardless of embryo count?
  • Which genetic testing lab do you use?

Learn more about IVF vs ICSI →

5. What are the embryo freezing and storage fees?

If you have extra embryos after retrieval, freezing and storage are ongoing annual expenses:

  • What is the initial freezing (vitrification) fee?
  • Is the first year of storage included in my cycle cost?
  • What is the annual storage renewal fee?
  • How and when am I billed for storage?

Typical costs: Initial freezing $1,000-$1,500. Annual storage $500-$1,000/year. This is a recurring cost for as long as you store embryos.

6. What is your refund policy for cancelled cycles?

Cycles can be cancelled for various reasons. Understand what happens financially:

  • If I don't respond well to stimulation and retrieval is cancelled, what is refunded?
  • If retrieval happens but no embryos survive to transfer, is the transfer fee refunded?
  • If transfer is cancelled for medical reasons, what costs are returned?
  • Is there a "cycle cancellation fee"?

Get it in writing: Ask for the refund policy document before paying any deposits.

7. Do you offer multi-cycle packages or refund programs?

Some clinics offer "shared risk" or multi-cycle programs that provide financial protection:

  • Do you offer multi-cycle packages (e.g., 2-3 retrievals)?
  • Is there a refund guarantee if treatment is unsuccessful?
  • What percentage is refunded and under what conditions?
  • What are the eligibility requirements for these programs?

Note: Refund programs often have age limits and require certain test results. The upfront cost is higher, but provides financial peace of mind.

8. What financing options are available?

Many clinics partner with financing companies to help spread costs:

  • Do you have partner financing companies (e.g., Prosper, CapexMD)?
  • Do you accept medical credit cards like CareCredit?
  • What are the interest rates and repayment terms?
  • Are there 0% interest promotional periods?
  • Can I set up a payment plan directly with the clinic?

9. Can I do monitoring at a local clinic?

If you live far from your clinic, outside monitoring can save travel costs but may add coordination fees:

  • Do you allow outside monitoring for ultrasounds and bloodwork?
  • Is there a coordination fee for remote monitoring?
  • What are the requirements for the local facility?
  • How are results communicated between facilities?

Tip: Outside monitoring coordination fees typically range from $300-$500. Compare this to travel costs to determine what makes sense.

10. What other administrative fees might apply?

These "hidden" fees can add up quickly:

  • Medical records coordination: Fee to transfer records from another provider
  • Embryo shipping: If transferring embryos to/from another facility
  • Nurse consultation fees: Some clinics charge for phone consultations
  • After-hours calls: Fees for urgent weekend/evening contact
  • Consent/legal document preparation: For donor or gestational carrier arrangements

Ask for a complete fee schedule: Request a document listing ALL possible charges before starting treatment.

Now that you know what to ask, make sure you don't forget anything during your consultation. We've put together a handy printable version.

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Ready to Ask the Right Questions?

Download the printable checklist and bring it to your next clinic consultation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

References

Cost estimates based on 2024-2025 data from RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, FertilityIQ cost database, and published clinic fee schedules. Actual costs vary by location, clinic, and individual treatment protocol.