Over the past five years, there has been a sharp rise in egg freezing. With more and more women in the media openly discussing their choice to freeze their eggs, it has allowed women to see how it is a viable option.
In 2018 the percentage of women freezing their eggs more than doubled, according to Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology’s recent study. This rise results from a variety of reasons, such as career ambitions, medical conditions, and a desire to wait for the right partner. Egg freezing, or oocyte cryopreservation, allows women to make more strategic life decisions.
Despite the rise in women completing this process, the cost to freeze eggs cannot be overlooked, so it is time for women to educate themselves and talk about the cost of this option.
Knowing the process: How to freeze eggs
Knowing the cost: The price of freezing one’s eggs
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.
