I’ve been so caught up lately in the acronyms of fertility (BBT, FET, TTC, I’m talking to you) that I have forgotten that some of these acronyms cost money. A lot of money. Before I become a “stripper with a heart of gold” in order to pay for this, I thought I’d reach out to my fellow blog peeps and see if you’ve all managed to avoid the pole.
I know money is a personal thing, and please under no means feel like you have to comment on this, but I’m extremely curious how much fertility treatments go for. I have looked into a few things, and I’m finding the costs to be absolutely terrifying. What I’m also finding is that there isn’t a whole lot published about how much fertility treatments cost. It’s not like I can go onto a fertility doc’s website and price shop. Or Doc X gives a free IUI with every two IVFs. Nope.
As a recently married gal, I’m finding weddings and fertility treatments eerily similar. Put “WEDDING” in front of anything (hair, makeup, dress), and people think it’s okay to charge you 10 times the price. Put “FERTILITY” in front of anything (treatment, drugs, acupuncture, retreat), and I’m looking at the same damn thing.
I have an awesome health care plan that covers $0 for fertility treatments of any kind. Who needs SCFFF when I can bleed money? If I so much as look at a trigger shot, I’m out $$–but how much? I’ve made a list of treatments and the price variations I’ve been able to find by calling around. Most of these spots are blank because I have no freaking clue how much they run (haven’t gone down the road…yet). If anyone reading could post in the comment thread what their various treatments would have cost without insurance (assuming you have this information, and are comfortable sharing), and what state they’re from, I will add it to this post. Or email me anonymously if you’re more comfortable. I will keep this post readily available on my side tab so others can click on it and add to it over the course of this blog. My goal is to get a running list of the prices we’re all paying for treatments so that we are all in-the-know. This may give us more wiggle room to barter with clinics, although maybe I’m just being naive. The categories left blank are ones I don’t know. If you see any ones I’ve left off, please feel free to comment and I will add to the list!
In No Particular Order:
1. Clomid (per month): approx $20 (MA)
2. Ultrasound monitoring plus blood work: $750 (MA)
3. Fertility Doctor: initial consultation: free(CA), $350(CA), $450(CA), $450 (MA)
4. IUI: Natural: $1500 (CA), $1500 (MA), Monitored: $3,000(CA), $3,000 (MA)
5. Femara
6. Trigger Shots: $100 (MA),
7. IVF:
8. Ovarian drilling (this treatment may not be technically considered “fertility”–I’ll have to look into this)
9. FET
10. Acupuncture (per treatment, no insurance): $40(CA), $95(CA), $80 (MA)
11. Chinese Medicine: $100/week for herbs (CA), Approx $50/month(MA)
11. Sperm Analysis: $300-$500 (MA)
Cease And Decyst 
My treatment has been covered under insurance (Massachusetts) so I have been paying co-pays for meds (about $1000 or so I would say, since I started treatment for injectables, etc.) and my deductible ($1000 per year). Here are my estimates. Keep in mind, when working with a clinic out-of-pocket many have flat rates for each cycle.
1. Clomid (per month) – cheap because there is generic so probably no more than $20
2. Ultrasound monitoring – each runs about $600, plus blood work with each ultrasound ($150 each)
3. Fertility Doctor: initial consultation: $450
4. IUI: $1500 (natural), $3,000 (monitored)
5. Femara – NA
6. Trigger Shots – not sure, prob $100 but other injectables are much more expensive
7. IVF: will know in Jan
8. Ovarian drilling (this treatment may not be technically considered “fertility”–I’ll have to look into this) – NA, this is a controversial procedure, so I’m curious what your doc says
9. FET – will know in Jan
10. Acupuncture (per treatment, no insurance): $80 each session
11. Chinese Medicine: I get my herbs from my acu and they run about $20 bucks per bottle, which lasts 10-14 days
11. Sperm Analysis: not sure – probably $300-$500
I hope this was helpful. Best thing to do is get pricing from an RE before any treatment.
I have a list from our RE about cost of IUI and meds. Once I find it, I’ll post it!
Thank you gals! Very helpful info.
I responded to your post on another site as well, but you have everything all nicely organized here so I’m happy to respond with my own experiences in my state.
1. Clomid (per month): $25-$40 – depends on the dosage, of course.
2. Ultrasound monitoring plus blood work: $300 for the ultrasounds with about $85 for a monthly P4
3. Fertility Doctor: initial consultation: $400 – I found that my RE didn’t make appointments with me after this consultation. Instead, we discussed plans over the phone or email (for free) and also at my ultrasounds, which he performed.
4. IUI: I haven’t done IUI before so unfortunately I can’t give you a price on this in my state – however, the numbers you’ve mentioned seem very high to me.
5. Femara: totally uninsured, probably about $150 a round. However, a lot of insurers will cover Femara because it’s labeled use is a breast cancer drug. Fertility is an off-label use.
6. Trigger Shots: N/A
7. IVF: $15,000 – I didn’t use this treatment but I did research and look around in case it came to that.
8. Ovarian drilling: No idea on the price, but I do know it’s not technically a fertility treatment and might therefore get covered by insurance.
9. FET: Again, no idea.
10. Acupuncture (per treatment, no insurance): I’ve seen it offered for about $50/round here.
11. Chinese Medicine: Not sure.
11. Sperm Analysis: I believe it was $115.
I know this is an old post, but if you’re still interested here’s what I can offer to the table:
Clomid, No insurance, 50 mg (generic Clomiphene Citrate): $17.00
Ultrasound Monitoring: my doctor does it for free and just files it under office visit, so $25.00 copay is all. I know I’m VERY lucky in this regard.
I’m in Arkansas.