How Much Does Freezing Your Eggs Cost?

Before we get into the numbers, we should understand the steps involved with oocyte cyropreservation. There are three main phases: ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, and egg freezing.

• Ovarian stimulation: The first step of egg freezing begins with developing multiple eggs. A woman will inject herself with synthetic hormones to help her body produce multiple eggs during a 30-day period. The medical practitioner will monitor the woman’s body through blood tests and vaginal ultrasounds.
• Egg retrieval: Once multiple eggs have been produced, a transvaginal ultrasound aspiration commences while the woman is under sedation. A probe is vaginally inserted, and a needle with a suction tip is used to retrieve the eggs. Up to 15 eggs can be retrieved per cycle.
• Egg freezing: After the retrieval, the eggs are immediately cooled down to sub-zero temperatures and then stored. Usually, the women can resume normal activities within a week.

From scheduling the first consult with a doctor, the entire process may take anywhere from two to six months.

Age is a significant factor in timing when a woman should freeze her eggs. “Due to the natural decrease in fertility over time, it’s recommended for women to freeze their eggs before the age of 35, or at least before the age of 40,” ob-gyn Thomas Enyart, MD, shared on Florida’s Winnie Palmer’s Hospital blog.

For the health and viability of a woman’s eggs, on average, it is ideal to freeze eggs during their 20s and early 30s. However, that is only the average.

“At 36, I decided to freeze my eggs and create a safety net for me if I decided down the road that I did want to have kids,” expressed mom Claire Evans to Lori Chung of Spectrum News Channel in New York. It’s unpredictable what will happen when it comes to family planning, so it is best to consult with a medical practitioner to discuss your options.

The price tag is high when a woman considers the cost of the initial egg freezing process, the cost of medication, the cost of storage, and the cost of implantation. “The financial piece is the biggest barrier to get more women access to fertility preservation,” Claire Tompkins, the founder of Future Family, a fertility-focused fintech lender, told Money.

CNY Fertility, a center focused on providing affordable fertility care, breaks down the national average cost of egg freezing:

• One cycle of egg freezing: $15,000
• Storage (based on five years): $2,600
• Implantation of eggs: $11,500

With these numbers in mind, there is much to consider when making the final decision about when to freeze one’s eggs. Most women endure two or more cycles of freezing their eggs to increase their chances of pregnancy. On top of that, the pricing of each part of the process changes depending on the region of your clinic and the clinic itself.

What does insurance cover?
Nineteen out of the 50 states have laws that require health insurance to include fertility treatments; however, the coverage can be limited. Additionally, you will also need to prove that you’re having infertility issues before the treatments will qualify as medical expenses.

In short, health coverage is there, but it must be researched prior to making any financial decisions.

How should I financially prepare?
After reaching out to your insurance provider, begin saving and look into accounts that will yield high returns. Seek out grants and look into personal loans.

Unfortunately, financial assistance is not as prevalent as one would like, but by researching the available options you can make the best choice for your situation.