Family Investment

Infertility treatment is a family investment. When considering infertility treatment understand it can be expensive. We're always upfront with costs associated with treatment. Please remember the following with infertility treatment.

Set up a realistic budget to cover treatment costs
Costs can include medications and procedures
List any financial options to pay for your treatment

Setting a Budget

Making a budget is simple, but many couples find it intimidating. Here's a short list to get you started. First, list your current expenses. These include rent, mortgage, food, entertainment and utilities, etc. Second, list your monthly gross household income. Subtract this number from your monthly expenses. The final number is money leftover after expenses.

Many couples find they have enough for one or two treatment cycles. If additional cycles are needed they may need to seek additional financing sources. Maybe you have money in savings, real estate or other investments. Since speed is what you're after have assets that can be quickly turned into cash. And realize you may need to cut back on some things for now.

List monthly expenses and income
Be willing to cut back on expenses if necessary
Use budget tools available online

Try to have additional financial resources

Costs and Statistics

Anywhere from 50-60% of couple undergoing fertility treatment experience a successful pregnancy. Although this option is encouraging the financial and emotional costs can be high.

Couples want to know what it costs to complete infertility treatment but these aren't the only costs to consider. The other side of infertility treatment is the cost of raising a child. Our cost chart explains these expenses in 5 stages. Notice how the costs rise with each stage. We'll explain these stages in more detail.

Stage 1: Work-up and Diagnosis, $1,000-$5,000
Work up and diagnosis osts include blood work, ultrasounds, hysterosalpingogram, sonohysterogram, general health screening, male testing and review of medical history of both partners. Some insurance companies do cover the cost of diagnosing infertility. Check your insurance carrier for details.

Stage 2: Low Tech/ART/High Tech Therapy, $5,000-up
ART is the most advanced treatments including ovulation induction together with IVF/ICSI. The cost can run up to $10,000 per cycle with multiple cycles attempted. Stage 2 is the most expensive part of the process and these costs aren't usually covered by your insurance.

For stage 2 younger couples have an advantage over older ones. They can postpone treatment and have more time to save money. They may also wait to see if they'll have insurance that will cover treatments. Younger couples benefit from early diagnosis, but they have more time to attempt a pregnancy before aging becomes a factor. In our experience most couples don't delay no matter what their age. Their goal is to take the best chance of becoming pregnant now.

Stage 3: Prenatal and Delivery; $10,000-up
Prenatal and delivery costs may be covered by your insurance. Most insurance may only cover 70-80% of your prenatal and delivery. Any costs not covered will be your responsibility.

Stage 4: Raising a Child to Age 18; $150,000-up
In the U.S. it costs $200,000-$260,000 to raise a child from birth to age 18. Costs include food, clothing, healthcare and entertainment. As your child grows, these costs can increase.

Stage 5: Four-Year College; $30,000-$100,000
Costs include tuition, text books, labs and other fees.

Don't be discouraged by the costs of infertility treatment. Your dream of having a child is worth the cost. It's priceless compared to the joy, care and love you'll get to share.

Contact the Gyft Clinic for affordable fertility and gynecology services. Schedule an appointment at 253-777-1964.