Will Your Insurance Cover IVF Treatment

Will Your Insurance Cover IVF, Here are the Gaps

For many families beginning fertility treatment, one of the first and most urgent questions is whether IVF will be covered by insurance. According to Beth Frattura, Founder and Executive Director of the Stork Foundation, the answer can vary depending on individual socioeconomic circumstances and factors.

“Whether IVF is covered or not depends entirely on two things: where you live and what kind of health plan your employer offers,” Frattura explains on the MissPoppins: The Art of Parenting podcast.

Infertility Insurance Laws

While infertility insurance laws exist in parts of the U.S., coverage remains inconsistent and limited. “Right now, about 25 states plus Washington, D.C. have some level of infertility insurance law, but only 15 of those actually mandate coverage for IVF, which is the most expensive treatment,” she notes.

Even in states with mandates, major loopholes remain. Frattura emphasizes that many patients are surprised to learn that self-insured employers are exempt from state infertility laws, meaning coverage may not apply even if a family lives in a mandated state. “My own employer was self-insured, so even if I lived in a mandated state, that law wouldn’t apply to my plan,” she explains.

Small employers are often exempt as well, and multi-state employers may fall outside state requirements depending on how their plans are structured. Although some companies voluntarily offer fertility benefits, Frattura says coverage is still the exception rather than the rule. “Only about 27% of large employers that offer health insurance include IVF coverage.”

The result is that the overwhelming majority of IVF expenses fall directly on patients. “The estimate is that around 85% of IVF expenses in the U.S. are paid out of pocket,” Frattura says. With IVF cycles often costing $15,000 to $20,000, she adds, “that’s simply not realistic for most families.”

Insurance complexity doesn’t stop at procedures. Many patients don’t realize that fertility medications are often billed separately. “Medication costs fall under a separate pharmacy benefit, with totally different rules,” Frattura explains, noting that this frequently leads to unexpected financial strain even for families who believe they have coverage.

Because of these gaps, Frattura stresses the importance of early financial education and transparency. “IVF is not just a medical decision, it’s a financial one too,” she says. 

She urges patients to ask detailed questions before beginning treatment, including whether their plan covers diagnostics only, includes IUI, or actually covers IVF and whether there are lifetime or annual maximums. This due diligence is critical, particularly for families seeking nonprofit assistance.

“Many fertility grant organizations, including ours, cannot award grants to families who already have infertility coverage,” Frattura explains. “So you need to fully understand your insurance before you apply.”

At the Stork Foundation, grants are designed to bridge the gap for families who fall into what Frattura calls the “middle.” “They don’t qualify for insurance coverage, they don’t have unlimited resources, but they’re doing everything they can from saving, fundraising, making real sacrifices.”

Beyond the individual impact, Frattura points to broader societal consequences. “When fertility care depends on your zip code, your employer, or your insurance plan, it stops being health care and starts being a privilege.” She adds that declining birth rates and delayed family building make access to fertility care an economic issue, not just a personal one.

Plan for Costs During IVF

As access to IVF expands through insurance coverage and employer-sponsored fertility benefits, experts caution that financial access alone does not fully protect families navigating assisted reproduction. Legal considerations such as embryo ownership, disposition, and decision-making in the event of divorce, death, or changed circumstances remain largely unaddressed in most benefit frameworks. As outlined in Embryo Clauses in Prenuptial Agreements: What Couples Need to Know, disputes over frozen embryos have become increasingly common, underscoring the need for proactive legal and educational support alongside medical and insurance coverage (MissPoppins, 2024). Without clearer guidance and planning, families may face significant emotional, legal, and financial consequences even when IVF.

“We talk all the time about saving for retirement or college, but we don’t talk enough about fertility timelines, preservation options, or the true cost of care.”

Until insurance coverage becomes more equitable and transparent, Frattura believes education and advocacy remain essential. “Greater education, better planning, and broader insurance coverage could dramatically change outcomes.”

If you are thinking of starting a family with your partner, consider opening up those conversations in the initial phases. 

Last Edited: January 5th, 2026.