How to Financially Plan for Egg Freezing

If you’re considering egg freezing as a way to preserve your future parenthood options, there’s a high chance that you’re paying for the treatment as a solo financial investment. Even with support, we understand that it’s a lot to plan for… logistically, financially, and emotionally.

As questions like “Do I explore egg freezing financing options or should I save up and pay for it all at once out of pocket?” arise, you shouldn’t feel like you have to weigh your egg freezing payment options alone or rush a decision. Nor should you be left on your own to figure out the full cost of egg freezing (which varies based on the person seeking fertility care and other factors like the clinic location).

There are simpler ways to plan for how to pay for egg freezing while treating it like the meaningful financial investment it really is.

We’ll share some of our top Sunfish financial planning secrets below:

What contributes to the total cost of egg freezing

It can be tricky to calculate a number of egg freezing costs upfront. This is because there are some “hidden” or variable costs associated with egg freezing.

For example, some fees are going to vary based on clinic structure. Before you even begin the egg freezing process, there may be initial consultation fees; the costs of any diagnostic testing like ultrasounds and ovarian reserve testing may or may not be included in the overall fertility clinic program costs. Ovarian stimulation medication prices are also highly variable based on the individual dosage requirements and length of time needed to inject the medications. Your insurance coverage for medications and local pharmacy pricing can fluctuate too.

During the approximately two-week injection period before your egg retrieval, you’ll undergo a series of check-ups, involving some bloodwork and ultrasounds. Some clinics bundle all that billing together, but others may not. In addition, the egg retrieval procedure cost you’re quoted may or may not include anesthesia and lab fees.

A major variable in egg freezing cost is how many cycles will be needed to guarantee enough eggs to be frozen. You may not really know how close you are to your goal until after the first egg retrieval. In initial testing, a fertility specialist may be able to give an estimate recommendation based on your age, ovarian reserve, and family building goals, but that is not an absolute guarantee of egg yield during a retrieval.

With egg freezing, you also have to bank on future costs. One more variable cost can be egg storage: Some clinics bill monthly, annually, or offer multi-year packages. You will need to account for potential future costs of utilizing your eggs, including thawing them, fertilizing them through IVF if you choose that method, genetic testing, and embryo transfer procedures.

Questions to ask before committing to a clinic or program

There’s a lot to think about financially, but we’re here to tag team it with you. It’s a good idea to make a list of questions before choosing any one clinic or program. At Sunfish, we can help you get answers to all the questions you have and more by linking you with our partner clinics to find the exact right fit for you. Fire away!

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• What is included in the quoted price: Is it just for the egg retrieval, or does it also involve consultation, testing, and appointment fees?
• Are medications included in the bundle?
• What happens if another cycle is needed?
• Are egg storage costs separate, and are they billed annually, monthly, or another way?
• Are financing options available?
• Can I apply for fertility grants or other cost assistance programs?
• What costs typically surprise patients?

Best egg freezing financial planning strategies

1. Start by asking all the questions.

We want to help you understand the full “cost to baby,” not just the retrieval procedure costs.

Sunfish’s care coordinators are there to plan all the logistics alongside you. They investigate our partner clinics for the best deals on medications, egg storage costs, and more. Plus, if you invest in our flat-fee Egg Freezing Success Program, there are more predictable guarantees. For example, if you don’t reach your egg retrieval goal the first cycle, you get a free second cycle.

2. Check on your employer benefits first.

Before you take out your wallet, check on your employer’s health insurance policy first. You never know what kind of cost assistance may exist unless you check. Some things to look out for include partial reimbursement for fertility treatment that is available through some employers, as well as partial coverage for some ovarian stimulation medications. Last, be sure to check how you might be able to use your employer-incentivized HSA/FSA funds. They could apply to fertility expenses.

3. Make sure your budget is flexible.

Depending on factors including age, ovarian reserve, and how many eggs you are hoping to freeze in order to create your future family, the number of cycles you may need can vary. It’s wise to plan for the possibility of needing more cycles then you actually may need (most people require one to two cycles; two is more common if you’re above the age of 35 and want to reach a certain egg yield goal). Again, our Egg Freezing Success Program gives you better financial protection if you do end up needing a second (or third) cycle.

4. Take advantage of loans, grants, and payment plans.

If you don’t feel you’ve saved up enough just yet to create the family of your dreams, that is absolutely okay. One resource is Sunfish’s connection to egg freezing financing options like fertility loans. Another is a list of grants available for families who want to access IVF or egg freezing. We can help you figure out the paperwork for either or both options.

There also should not be pressure to pay the flat fees upfront. We also have the opportunity to set up a payment plan with you, so you can pay monthly or in the appropriate installments that work for your budget.

5. You’ll also want to strategize for the future, beyond the freeze.

Your family planning expenses don’t necessarily end once your eggs are frozen. Beyond the egg storage annual (or monthly) fees, it’s important to set aside funds for IVF-related procedures. Those will include genetic testing, embryo creation, embryo transfer and other pregnancy-related medical  expenses that can pile up.

You’re not going to be alone in guesstimating any of these costs, though.  

How predictable pricing can reduce stress

Life is unpredictable enough as it is, and things come up: flat tires, spikes in travel fees, and unexpected medical expenses. You don’t need to add the guesswork of how to finance freezing your eggs as you focus on you, your career, your relationships—whatever it is. Unpredictability of cost can be a significant barrier for patients to start the egg freezing process.

Flat-free programs like our Egg Freezing Success Program are designed to help create a more financially predictable experience. We offer all-inclusive pricing, personalized planning support from our concierge care coordinator team for all your appointments and egg freezing milestones, and the emotional support you need to get through the process.

Learn more about our wrap-around logistical and financial support included in the Egg Freezing Success Package.

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