What does the cost of fertility care look like globally?

Around the world, starting or expanding your family can come with a hefty price tag—on top of physical and emotional strain. The high cost of fertility treatment isn’t exclusive to the U.S. Fertility treatment expenses vary from country to country, depending on factors like insurance coverage and government funding for treatment. In the U.S., in vitro fertilization (IVF) can be anywhere from $10,000 to 15,000, along with the added costs of medication and add-on services. It may seem complicated, but don’t panic—understanding the costs of fertility care and learning how you can work with Maven providers to navigate your local healthcare system is a great first step. Here’s what you need to know about the costs of fertility treatment in India, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.    

India

While fertility care in India has improved over the past decade, you may still face challenges in getting and affording treatments. There is very little coverage for Indian people through national or employer-sponsored healthcare in India. This means you will likely be paying for the cost of your fertility treatment on your own. Treatments for IVF can range from ₹279,716 INR - ₹388,494 INR INR per cycle (approximately $3,600 to $5,000 USD), and medication alone can cost ₹80,000 INR (approximately $1,029 USD). 

If you’re dealing with infertility, you’ve likely already struggled with the hard feelings of isolation, pain, and loss. Unfortunately, in India, infertility and not having children are highly stigmatized, which can lead to discrimination and social exclusion, creating a higher risk for mental health distress. Whatever you’re feeling during this difficult time, don’t be afraid to ask for help.  

Another obstacle you may face while looking for fertility care in India is inequitable access to treatment. In India, fertility treatment is legislated under the Assisted Reproductive Technology Bill (ART Bill) which permits IUI and IVF treatments, surrogacy, egg donation, embryo donation, and sperm donation in the country for heterosexual married couples and single women pursuing fertility treatments using donor sperm. However, single men and LGBTQIA+ people are not legally allowed to access these fertility services. Dealing with this discrimination is discouraging and upsetting, but you may have more access to support than you realize. Find empowering support through Maven’s virtual care, with specialists who can either guide you through the adoption process or help you travel to pursue fertility care outside of the country. 

United Kingdom

When you’re experiencing infertility, it can feel like you’re the only one going through it—but the truth is, one in seven couples in the United Kingdom experience difficulty conceiving. The National Health Service (NHS) in the U.K. covers fertility treatments, but the funding varies based on where you live, as well as factors like age and having children from previous relationships. Recently, the government announced plans to provide equal access to non-heterosexual couples, meaning there are now fewer restrictions on who can access fertility care in the U.K. With these barriers to access removed, we expect the number of LGBTQIA+ and single people receiving NHS-funded fertility treatments to increase. 

You’ll be better equipped to navigate this new and complicated territory if you understand the funding requirements & wait times in your area. The NHS recommends that women under 40 years old be offered three full cycles of IVF. However, each country in the U.K. has separate funding, which can impact how each case is treated. Most importantly, local municipalities control the administration of treatment, meaning that the standards for coverage are different across regions. 

If you’re not eligible for NHS funding, it’s important to factor in treatment costs to your fertility budget. The average out-of-pocket cost for an IVF cycle is £5,000 to £8,000 GBP, (approximately $8,000 - $11,000 USD) with medication costing anywhere from an additional £900 to £1,200 (approximately $1,170 to $1,560 USD). 

Many U.K. private and employer-sponsored health insurance providers don’t pay for fertility treatments, and those that do often have specific terms and conditions about what treatments they’re willing to cover. Costs can also vary between clinics, especially in London, so try to request information early and do research before choosing a clinic and insurance provider. This is a tricky (and stressful) situation, so make sure you have a plan and expert support with a Maven Care Advocate who can help you find a fertility clinic that fits your needs. 

Canada

When you’re pursuing fertility care in Canada, there are plenty of things to consider, including price and if you can receive government financial assistance. Although Canada has a national healthcare system, coverage for infertility treatment varies between each province in Canada—and only five provinces currently provide any financial assistance for IVF. The provinces that offer financial help with IVF are Ontario, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Quebec, and Prince Edward Island. If you live in one of these provinces, finding out the restrictions and limits on the number of rounds of IVF covered is a good place to start. 

The out-of-pocket costs for IVF treatment per cycle are $10,000 to $15,000 CAD (approximately $8,000 USD to $12,000 USD), with medication alone costing anywhere from $2,500 to over $7,000 CAD (approximately $1,900 USD to $5,300 USD). Make sure you look at the fine print as you do your research—you may be able to claim expenses relating to fertility treatments on your personal income taxes as a medical expense tax credit. 

Find more information about who is eligible to claim the medical expense tax credit, expenses that qualify for the credit, and specific requirements for claiming the credit at the Canada Revenue Agency website. Some private insurances in Canada may cover parts of the costs of IVF treatment and/or medication. Before embarking on IVF in Canada, contact your insurer directly to find out what coverage you can qualify for during your treatments. 

Australia 

If you’re looking for fertility treatment in Australia, do some extra research on what you might qualify for upfront to avoid sticker shock later. The universal healthcare system in Australia offers rebates that can provide partial reimbursement for some fertility treatment expenses. The average cost for IVF treatment is $9,000 to $12,000 AUD (approximately $3,363 to $4,036 USD) per cycle, excluding medications. When adding other associated procedures and medications, the cost may be closer to $8,000 AUD (approximately $5,381 USD). 

You’ll need a referral from a general practitioner or OBGYN for fertility treatment to claim a rebate. However, in Australia, you’re only eligible for a rebate if you’re “medically infertile,” which is often not the case for LGBTQIA+ people or single parents who want to start their families. 

You may be wondering if you’ll receive financial support with all the services related to fertility care, like egg collection and storage. Unfortunately, the government doesn’t cover many fertility-related expenses, meaning you may have significant out-of-pocket costs or need to rely on private insurance to help with additional expenses. Many private insurers in Australia offer plans that partially cover the cost of care, reimbursing patients for a portion of the expenses. If your insurance company offers coverage for fertility treatment, find out exactly what is included. 

What can impact the cost of fertility treatments? 

Wherever you are in the world, the cost of fertility treatments will vary based on these factors: 

• The number of cycles required. IVF and IUI can be incredibly stressful, partially because treatment  isn’t always successful after the first cycle. Any subsequent cycles will incur additional costs and vary from clinic to clinic. 
• Add-on services. During IVF, your doctor may recommend ‘add-on services’ that can increase the likelihood of success per cycle. For example, ICSCI is the process of injecting a single sperm directly into the cytoplasm of the egg. This procedure can cost an additional fee per cycle. Another common add-on is PGT, or preimplantation genetic testing.
• Storage costs for any surplus eggs or embryos you store for future use. Storage in the U.S. can cost up to $1,500 a year and varies by country, costing up to ₹300,000 in India, £350 in England, $300 CAD in Canada, and $250 AUD in Australia. 

Maven supports members around the globe 

You can’t put a price on the joy of having a baby—but you also can’t ignore the real cost barriers to fertility treatment that exist across the world. But no matter what questions you have or the type of support you need on your fertility journey, Maven is here for you. 

Sign up for Maven and access global fertility support with a dedicated Care Advocate who understands your healthcare system, 24/7 appointments with fertility specialists, fertility clinic referrals, and one platform for your fertility reimbursement expenses.