How Much Is One Round of IVF? Breaking Down the Real Costs

Sticker shock is real when you first look up what a round of IVF will set you back. Numbers bounce all over the place online—from maybe $10,000 to sometimes more than $25,000 per cycle. Why the massive gap? The truth is, there’s no single price tag because IVF isn’t just one thing. It’s a bunch of steps, medications, and fees stacked together.

If you’re trying to make sense of the costs, you need a straight rundown of what’s included, what’s extra, and what you’ll probably end up paying out of pocket. Most people aren’t told about those extra meds, random fees, or what happens if you need a second round. And forget about insurance magically covering everything—it almost never works like that in the U.S.

The way clinics bundle (or un-bundle) their pricing can leave you guessing. Some throw in ultrasounds and bloodwork; others bill for every single thing. Knowing what to ask about from the start actually gives you some control over what you spend.

• What Actually Goes Into One Round of IVF?
• Typical Price Ranges in 2025
• What’s Usually Included… and What’s Not
• Hidden Costs (and How to Spot Them)
• Tips for Cutting Your IVF Costs
• How to Plan and Budget Realistically

What Actually Goes Into One Round of IVF?

If you think IVF cost is just a single payment, you’re in for a surprise. “One round” means a whole process, not just one doctor’s visit. Here’s what’s packed into a typical round:

• Consultation and baseline tests: Before anything starts, clinics run tests for both partners (or just the person carrying the baby). This includes bloodwork, hormone checks, and an ultrasound to check your ovaries.
• Ovarian stimulation: Doctors give daily hormone shots to boost the ovaries into making lots of eggs. You’ll go in for several monitoring appointments to check your progress.
• Egg retrieval: Once the eggs are ready, you get a quick surgical procedure to collect them. This usually needs sedation.
• Lab work and fertilization: Eggs go into a lab where they’re mixed with sperm (either partner’s, or donor). The lab watches for fertilization and checks if embryos are developing the right way.
• Embryo transfer: One or more healthy embryos are placed in the uterus. Some people freeze extra embryos for later, which costs extra.
• Pregnancy testing: Around two weeks later, you take a blood test to see if you’re pregnant. If yes, there’s usually one or two follow-up ultrasounds.

This is the streamlined version—there are dozens of side steps or extra options, depending on your personal situation.

Each of these steps rolls into the total IVF expenses for that cycle. The more extras you need—like ICSI (a procedure to inject a single sperm directly into an egg), genetic testing, or medicine—the more you’ll shell out. There’s just nothing basic about “one round.”

Typical Price Ranges in 2025

Let’s get down to actual numbers. In 2025, the average cost for one round of IVF in the U.S. lands around $14,000 to $18,000. This is just for the base procedure—what clinics often call a ‘fresh cycle’. Some clinics still advertise prices under $12,000, but that usually means you’re looking at the bare minimum. The higher end can hit $25,000 or more in high-demand areas, like big cities or regions with top-rated clinics.

Here’s a quick table to put the typical price ranges in perspective:

So yeah, when you hear someone talking about a fertility treatment that cost $23,000 for a single try, that’s not crazy. Most people find that the add-ons and meds make the base price feel like a bait-and-switch. Even in states where infertility coverage is better, insurance might only pay for part (maybe just office visits or blood tests), leaving you with most of the cost anyway.

And if you’re comparing countries, the U.S. does tend to be one of the most expensive places for IVF treatment. But for most folks, it’s not just a one-and-done situation—a lot end up paying for extra rounds, and prices can really add up fast. That’s why getting a clear estimate from your clinic, including likely extras, is key before you even start.

What’s Usually Included… and What’s Not

Not all IVF clinic price lists are easy to read—some use broad package names that make it sound like you’re paying for the whole process, when you’re really just getting the basics. If you see a headline number, always ask what’s actually covered. Here’s how a typical one round of IVF cost is broken down:

• Consultations and screenings: The first appointments, bloodwork, and ultrasounds to check your hormones and overall fertility.
• Egg retrieval: This is the procedure where eggs are collected from your ovaries. Usually includes basic anesthesia, but some charges extra for a higher dose or special monitoring.
• Lab fertilization: The process of combining eggs and sperm in the lab (the actual fertilization).
• Embryo culture: Growing embryos for a few days before transfer.
• 1 embryo transfer: Putting embryos back into the uterus—though sometimes only the first transfer is included in the core price.

But here comes the catch. Most clinics leave out some key expenses. Here’s what’s usually not included in the starting price for a one round of IVF:

• Medications: This is the big one. Fertility meds easily run $3,000 to $7,000 on top of the cycle fee. Pricing swings wildly based on your prescription and how much you need.
• Donor eggs or sperm: If you need either, be ready for an extra charge—often as much as $10,000 for donor eggs and $500–$1,000 for donor sperm.
• Genetic testing (PGT-A or PGS): Want to screen embryos for chromosomal health or specific conditions? That’s almost always extra, often $3,000 to $6,000 per batch.
• Freezing and storage: Clinics will freeze extra embryos for you, but ongoing storage is rarely included. Expect to pay $500 to $1,000 per year after the first few months.
• Follow-up procedures: If your first transfer doesn’t work and you want another try, there’s usually another small procedure fee.

To make it crystal clear, here’s a simple breakdown of what you get and what you typically pay extra for:

Always get the clinic to spell out—line by line—what’s included in the core IVF expenses. The itemized estimate gives you way more control and helps you dodge surprises later.

Hidden Costs (and How to Spot Them)

You’d think the quoted price for IVF cost means you’re set, but that’s just the tip. Clinics love to headline their lowest number, but you almost always hit extra charges that jack up what you actually pay out of pocket.

Medications are the biggest wild card. The meds for ovarian stimulation ran between $4,000 and $7,000 on average in the U.S. in 2024. Most clinics do not include those in their package price, and they’re not optional.

Next up are routine tests. Think bloodwork, ultrasounds, and check-ins with the doctor. Some clinics bundle these with their IVF expenses, but a lot don’t—meaning every blood draw or scan can add $100 to $500 each time. And you’ll do several per cycle.

• Genetic testing (PGT-A/PGT-M): This scan of embryos to check for genetic issues adds $2,000–$5,000 easily—and most people don’t even see it buried on the price list.
• Anesthesia fees: For the egg retrieval, you’ll usually pay a separate fee—$600 to $1,200 isn’t unusual.
• Embryo freezing/storage: Most clinics only include storage for the first year after retrieval. After that, it’s often $500–$1,000 per year to keep your embryos on ice.
• ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection): Needed for certain cases—often tacks on another $1,500–$2,000 per round.
• Assisted hatching: Some labs suggest this—add $500–$1,000 if needed.

Check out how it can add up in real life:

Want to avoid a surprise bill? Before picking a clinic, get an itemized fee sheet. Ask what’s included in their IVF cost up front. Specifically ask about medication, genetic testing, storage, and anesthesia. If they dodge those questions, it’s a red flag. The best clinics break it all down for you without any weird upcharges later.

And remember—if you do more than one round of IVF, these charges stack every time.

Tips for Cutting Your IVF Costs

IVF isn’t cheap, but there are actual ways to keep costs in check if you get organized and ask the right questions. Here’s where you can make a difference before you swipe your card.

• Shop Around: Prices for IVF treatment change wildly depending on the clinic and city. It sounds basic, but call at least three clinics, and ask for complete price breakdowns. Some clinics offer package deals that roll everything into one price (think monitoring, egg retrieval, transfer, basic meds), while others charge for every tiny thing. Comparison shopping can easily save you thousands.
• Ask About Medication Deals: Fertility drugs can cost $3,000–$6,000 per round and aren’t always included. Some clinics work with partner pharmacies for discounts, or you can check third-party programs like GoodRx for price cuts. Don’t be afraid to ask for samples if your doctor has any.
• Check Your Insurance Twice: Even if your regular health plan doesn’t cover IVF expenses, it might cover the diagnostic tests or some medication costs. "Always have your clinic provide the procedure codes, so you can check what’s really covered," says Dr. Ellen Goldstein from NYU Fertility Center.

  “Patients are often surprised to find their insurance will reimburse for bloodwork or ultrasounds, even if IVF itself isn’t fully covered.”

• Consider Refund or Package Programs: Some clinics and agencies offer multi-cycle packages or partial refund plans if IVF isn’t successful after a certain number of cycles. These plans usually cost more up front, but they give you peace of mind and can reduce the average cost per cycle.
• Avoid Unnecessary Extras: There’s always a pitch for add-ons (assisted hatching, preimplantation genetic testing, embryo glue, etc). Some of these help in certain cases, but plenty don’t make a difference for most people. Ask your doctor: "Is this medically necessary for me, and does current research back it up?" If not, skip the extra charge.

Don’t skimp out on essentials, but always ask for an itemized estimate up front. The more direct you are with your questions, the better shot you have at keeping your IVF cost realistic.

How to Plan and Budget Realistically

Planning for IVF cost takes some real number-crunching. You can’t just go by what’s on the clinic’s website or in those fancy brochures. You’ll need to ask detailed questions and make a budget based on what applies to your own situation. Here’s how to stay realistic and avoid nasty surprises.

Start by contacting clinics you’re interested in and ask for an itemized breakdown of charges. Get them to spell out what’s covered in their “per cycle” price. Some clinics only include the basics, while others bundle services like ultrasounds, blood work, or “embryo freezing” into their main fee. Find out about the costs of medications up front—the price for these alone can run from $2,000 to $7,000 per cycle.

Here’s a rough idea of where your money might go for one cycle in 2025:

Add it up, and that one round of IVF could be anywhere from $12,000 to well north of $25,000 once you count in extras. You may need more than one cycle, which is pretty common—national stats show around 60% of patients go through more than one cycle to get pregnant or bank enough embryos.

Not all clinics and states offer the same pricing or payment help. Some states, like Massachusetts and Illinois, require certain employers to cover part of IVF through insurance. But even with the best plans, you could still end up paying for medications or procedures not considered “essential.”

• Check your insurance policy—and don’t just rely on the summary; call and ask about specifics for fertility treatment.
• See if the clinic offers package deals or refund programs. These sometimes cost more up front but cover extra rounds if the first one doesn’t work.
• Compare clinics—not just on price, but on what’s included and their success rates for patients your age and diagnosis.
• Open an HSA or FSA if your benefits let you. You can use these tax-free accounts to help pay for medical expenses, including IVF expenses.
• Create a "slush fund" for surprise costs—there’s always something random, like a last-minute test or extra medication.

One last thing: don’t forget to ask the clinic about payment plans. Some work with lenders or set you up on installments so you can spread out the pain. High price tag, sure, but with a plan in place, you’ll dodge most of the stress surprises down the road.