Financing Your Fertility Services

“How much does IVF cost?” is a common question. This can be difficult to answer, because the amount billed to you can vary greatly depending on the state you live in and the coverage offered by your employer or insurance.

We make every effort at the Mass General Fertility Center to make care as affordable as possible.

Read on to better understand IVF costs at Mass General and insurance coverage for fertility services.

Massachusetts Has Mandatory Coverage for IVF

State law in Massachusetts requires that insurance cover infertility diagnosis and treatment. Coverage varies between companies, so it’s important to check with your insurance provider directly to learn about your exact coverage. That said, there are some limitations, but this generally means that the following procedures should be covered:

• Artificial insemination (AI, IUI)
• In vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo placement (EP)
• Gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT)
• Sperm, egg or inseminated egg procurement and processing and banking of sperm or inseminated eggs
• Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) for the treatment of male factor infertility
• Zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT)

Within New England, coverage for IVF treatment is also mandated in Connecticut and Rhode Island. The Resolve New England site has more information about mandated coverage.

What Does Commercial Insurance Cover?

While basic coverage for IVF is mandated in Massachusetts, the exact benefits and coverage can vary greatly from policy to policy. Prior to your first visit, our office will contact your insurance company to verify that your policy has benefits to cover and treat infertility and to determine whether there are any limitations or restrictions.

However, our team can only access general information on your infertility benefits, deductibles and co-insurance amounts. We cannot access the specifics relevant to your plan. Because of this, you should contact your insurance company’s member services department to review your coverage specifics in detail.

There are hundreds of insurance plans, and only a representative from your insurance company will be able to review all your specific coverage details with you. This will be important information to be aware of when scheduling ultrasounds, lab work and other diagnostic testing, as each individual service can incur its own fees.

In addition, if your partner’s insurance coverage is with a company different than yours, you will also need to confirm their benefits for diagnostic testing of infertility.

What Happens If Insurance Coverage Changes?

It is important to let your care team know right away if anything changes with your insurance coverage. It is likely a change in coverage will require new referrals and authorizations under your new insurance. You may also receive bills for services if your insurance information is not correct or not authorized.