Can You Buy Infertility Insurance? Top Companies Offering Fertility Coverage in the USA
Infertility treatments like IVF and IUI can be life-changing, but they come with a high price tag.
The good news is that more employers are now offering fertility benefits as part of their health plans. Companies like Google and Amazon now provide coverage for treatments like IVF, egg freezing, and genetic testing.
However, not all insurance plans include fertility coverage, and the details vary by provider.
In this guide, we’ll break down what infertility insurance covers, which companies offer the best benefits, and how you can maximize your coverage to lower costs.
Does Insurance Cover IVF and Infertility Treatments?
Does Insurance Cover IVF and Infertility Treatments?
Fertility treatment coverage in the U.S. is complicated.
Most insurance plans cover infertility diagnosis or services like ovulation induction. However, only a few individual insurance plans cover actual infertility treatments like IVF and IUI. Some even offer little to no fertility benefits.
Furthermore, coverage can depend on your state, employer, and insurance provider.
Currently, only 22 states have laws requiring insurance companies to cover some form of infertility treatment. However, the details vary. Some states mandate full IVF coverage, while others only require insurers to offer it as an option.
Even in states with mandates, self-funded employer health plans may not provide any fertility benefits.
Does Medicaid Cover IVF?
Fertility coverage is extremely limited if you’re on Medicaid.
Medicaid does not cover IVF in most states, and only a few offer coverage for basic fertility treatments like diagnostic tests. If you rely on Medicaid, check your state's policies, as some may provide minimal benefits.
For example, in New York and Washington D.C., Medicaid only covers 3 cycles of ovulation-enhancing drugs and monitoring. Meanwhile, Utah submitted an amendment in 2020 stating Medicaid will cover IVF treatment and genetic testing for carriers of 5 specific genetic diseases.
Since coverage can vary widely, reviewing your plan details and exploring employer-sponsored benefits is essential to see what’s available to you.
Can I Purchase Infertility Insurance?
You typically can’t purchase infertility insurance as a standalone policy in the U.S. Instead, it’s usually available as a rider on an existing health insurance plan or as part of a comprehensive health insurance package offered by your employer.
Top U.S. Companies Offering Fertility Insurance
Many leading U.S. companies now recognize the importance of supporting employees on their path to parenthood. Here's a look at some major employers providing extensive fertility coverage:
Apple
Apple provides comprehensive fertility benefits for its employees, covering treatments such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and egg freezing. Their plan includes a $100,000 lifetime maximum benefit, which extends to IVF procedures, fertility medications, intrauterine insemination (IUI), and surrogacy.
Google employees in the U.S. and their spouses or partners can get fertility benefits through Progyny if they are on an Anthem EPO, PPO, or gHip plan. They must choose one of two options for lifetime coverage. Option A gives them four Smart Cycles but requires them to use an in-network provider. Option B lets them use an out-of-network provider but has a $20,000 lifetime maximum for coverage.
Amazon
Amazon works with Progyny and Maven Clinic to offer fertility benefits to employees, covering all family types and paths to parenthood. No infertility diagnosis is needed to use the benefit. It is available to employees and dependents enrolled in Aetna, Cigna, Premera Blue Cross, or Kaiser Permanente through Amazon.
Amazon
Target
Target, one of the largest retail chains in the U.S., offers fertility and family-building benefits to support employees. Their plan includes a $25,000 lifetime maximum for infertility treatments and a $5,000 lifetime maximum for fertility medications. Additionally, they provide up to $10,000 in financial assistance for adoption.
Microsoft
Microsoft partners with Progyny to offer comprehensive fertility coverage. The plan includes two IVF cycles, with the possibility of a third cycle if the first two are unsuccessful. It also covers fertility medications, PGT-A (genetic testing), and all necessary tests and procedures.
Meta (Facebook)
Meta offers comprehensive fertility benefits through Progyny, providing employees with up to $100,000 in coverage for family-building treatments. This includes up to four IVF cycles and egg freezing.
Starbucks
Starbucks provides employees with a $25,000 lifetime maximum for IVF treatments, plus up to $10,000 for fertility medications. Additionally, they offer up to $40,000 in reimbursement for adoption, surrogacy, or IUI, supporting a variety of family-building options.
Starbucks
Partnerships with Fertility Benefit Providers
Companies are teaming up with specialized fertility benefit providers to give their employees better support on their path to building a family.
Progyny
As seen from the list above, Progyny is the most popular fertility benefit provider. They've built an impressive network featuring over 1,000 specialists across more than 650 top-rated fertility clinics throughout the country, making sure employees get high-quality care. They make things simpler for employers by connecting directly with health plans to handle claims and billing smoothly.
Carrot Fertility
Carrot Fertility takes a more global approach, providing flexible financial support and expert guidance in more than 60 countries. They cover a wide range of fertility treatments, from IVF to egg freezing, with the goals of keeping healthcare costs down and helping people achieve better fertility outcomes.
Maven Clinic
Maven Clinic runs a digital health platform that supports women's reproductive health at every stage, from fertility and family building to pregnancy and menopause. They give users around-the-clock virtual access to specialists, helpful resources, and mental health support for complete care. Big companies like Amazon have chosen Maven to provide comprehensive family-building benefits to their employees worldwide.
Best Health Insurance Plans for Fertility Coverage
So, what insurance covers IVF and other fertility treatments? Here’s an overview of three top insurers known for their fertility benefits:
Aetna
Aetna is a top choice for fertility coverage, offering low copays for doctor visits and pharmacies. They cover infertility drugs, making treatments more affordable. Their National Infertility Unit also helps members navigate their fertility benefits and care options.
However, advanced treatments like IVF are only covered after trying less invasive treatments first, such as artificial insemination.
Aetna
How Much Does IVF Cost With Aetna Insurance?
This will depend on your employer’s plan.
For example, Adobe offers fertility benefits through Aetna.
If you choose an in-network provider, Aetna covers approved fertility treatments at 80% or 90% after you meet your deductible, depending on your plan. So, if your treatment costs $20,000 and your plan covers 90%, you would pay $2,000 after your deductible.
Cigna
Cigna is a good option for fertility coverage because it’s more likely to cover treatments like IVF and egg or sperm freezing compared to other insurers. Many companies avoid paying for these expensive procedures unless the state requires it, but Cigna offers better access.
It’s also one of the more affordable insurance options and is available through ACA marketplaces, which helps make fertility treatments more manageable. However, Cigna’s lower costs can mean fewer coverage options for other types of healthcare. Furthermore, it’s only available in 12 states, so it’s important to check if it’s an option for you.
UnitedHealthcare (UHC)
Lastly, we have UnitedHealthcare (UHC). UHC is the most widely available, offering marketplace plans in 30 states. Furthermore, they are connected to more than 1.3 million providers and 6,500 hospitals, including high-quality fertility centers. They also have a Fertility Solutions program that connects members with fertility nurses for guidance and support.
However, this availability comes with higher premiums and out-of-pocket costs. Like the other insurers, UHC only covers IVF after trying less costly treatments first. Coverage for fertility medications varies by plan, with most requiring prior authorization or excluding it altogether.
Important Note: Insurance coverage for fertility treatments varies widely based on individual plans, employer selections, and state regulations. Check with your insurance provider to get clear, personalized details on your coverage and out-of-pocket costs.
What’s Typically Covered in a Fertility Insurance Plan?
What’s Typically Covered in a Fertility Insurance Plan?
Fertility insurance coverage varies by provider and specific plan, but many comprehensive plans include a range of services to assist individuals and couples in their family-building journey.
Let’s use UnitedHealthcare as an example.
UnitedHealthcare offers commercial and individual exchange plans with benefits for infertility diagnosis and treatment. These plans generally cover services such as:
● In vitro fertilization (IVF)
● Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
● Egg freezing (oocyte cryopreservation)
● Sperm and embryo freezing
● Genetic testing
● Fertility medications
However, their plans have limitations and exclusions depending on your specific plan. For example:
● Number of cycles: UnitedHealthcare plans often limit coverage to a specific number of IVF or IUI cycles.
● Eligibility requirements: Members typically need to meet certain criteria, such as a diagnosis of infertility and a specific period of trying to conceive, to be eligible for coverage.
● Exclusions: Services like donor eggs or sperm, surrogacy, and long-term storage of reproductive materials may be excluded. This typically refers to storage of more than 1 year.
● Dollar limits: There may be a maximum amount your plan will pay for infertility services.
Average Out-of-Pocket Expenses with Insurance
The average out-of-pocket cost of a single IVF cycle in the U.S. ranges from $12,000 to $14,000, not including medications. If the pregnancy leads to delivery, additional medical expenses can bring the total cost to around $56,000.
But what if you have insurance?
Even with insurance, out-of-pocket expenses can still reach thousands of dollars. This is influenced by your coverage limits and if you’re undergoing additional procedures.
For example, Adobe’s Kaiser medical plan covers infertility diagnosis and treatment, including artificial insemination, ovulation induction, and assisted reproductive technology (ART) like IVF. Services are covered if they’re part of an active pregnancy attempt. The plan covers 90%, and you pay 10%. So, if IVF costs $12,000–$14,000 per cycle, your out-of-pocket cost would be around $1,200–$1,400.
In a blog post, Andre Nader and Corin Nader shared the impact of fertility benefits on their IVF journey.
They went through approximately 2.75 IVF cycles—starting with Uber’s plan and then switching to Meta’s due to better overall medical coverage. Thanks to their insurance benefits, their total out-of-pocket cost for three rounds of IVF was around $2,800. Without coverage, each round could have cost over $20,000.
Conclusion
Coverage for infertility treatments like IVF, IUI, and egg freezing varies by insurance provider. This is further influenced by your state’s regulations and your employer's benefits.
Some of the best insurance companies for fertility coverage include Aetna, Cigna, and UHC. While you can’t normally buy standalone infertility insurance, many major companies are now offering fertility benefits through providers such as Progyny. This includes Google, Amazon, and Microsoft, to name a few.
But even with coverage, out-of-pocket costs like coinsurance and deductibles can add up, making it essential to plan ahead. Check with your employer to see if they offer fertility benefits and review your insurance plan details.
Raoul Angelo Cam is a freelance health content writer and a registered clinical laboratory scientist. He earned his degree in Clinical Laboratory Sciences from Cebu Doctor’s University and completed three years of medical school. During university, he developed a passion for helping patients improve their well-being, including reproductive health and fertility.