Most insurance plans do not cover egg freezing. This is because egg freezing is usually considered elective unless you have a medical problem or are undergoing treatment that could impact your fertility. However, you may qualify for some coverage depending on your health condition and employer.
In 16 states, there are laws requiring insurance companies to cover or offer coverage for fertility treatment. Some insurance companies also cover egg freezing.
Understanding Egg Freezing
What is Egg Freezing?
Egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, is the process of extracting and freezing eggs for later use in assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Why Freeze Your Eggs?
There are many reasons why women may choose to freeze their eggs. Some common reasons include:
- To delay childbearing: Egg freezing can be a good option for women who are not yet ready to have children, but want to preserve their fertility for future family planning.
- To preserve fertility before medical treatments: Some medical treatments, such as cancer treatment and radiation therapy, can damage fertility. Egg freezing can be a way to preserve fertility before these treatments so that women can still have children in the future.
- To address fertility concerns: Egg freezing can also be a good option for women who have fertility concerns, such as endometriosis or premature ovarian failure.
How Does the Process Work?
Egg freezing takes 2-3 weeks. To count your eggs and analyze your reproductive health, you must first undertake a fertility exam. After being certified for egg freezing, you will start fertility medicines to boost egg production.
After maturation, eggs are retrieved. Anesthesia is used for this 30-minute operation. Egg retrieval involves inserting a tiny needle into the ovaries to extract the eggs.
Vitrification freezes the eggs. Vitrification quickly freezes eggs to reduce ice crystals, which may destroy them.
Costs of Egg Freezing
The average cost of egg retrieval and freezing in the United States is around $10,000. However, the cost can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the location of the fertility clinic, the type of fertility medications used, and the number of eggs retrieved.
In addition to the cost of the egg retrieval and freezing procedure, there are a number of other expenses to consider, such as:
- Fertility medications: The cost of fertility medications can vary depending on the type of medications used and the length of treatment.
- Anesthesia: The cost of anesthesia for the egg retrieval procedure is typically around $1,000.
- Storage fees: There is a yearly fee for storing frozen eggs. This fee typically ranges from $500 to $1,000 per year.
Insurance Coverage for Egg Freezing
While egg freezing is a relatively new procedure, it is becoming increasingly common for insurance plans to cover the cost of egg freezing. In fact, a number of states have passed laws requiring insurance companies to cover egg freezing for certain medical conditions.
Different Coverage Options
The amount of coverage that is available for egg freezing can vary depending on the insurance plan. Some plans may cover the full cost of the procedure, while others may only cover a portion of the cost. It is important to check with your insurance company to see what coverage is available to you.
Questions to Ask Your Insurance Company
Here are some questions to ask your insurance company about Egg Freezing coverage:
- Is egg freezing covered under my plan?
- If egg freezing is covered, what is the extent of my coverage?
- Are there any pre-authorization requirements?
- Is there a deductible or copay?
- Is there a limit on the number of eggs that are covered?
Possible Financial Assistance
There are a number of financial assistance options available to help women pay for egg freezing. Some fertility clinics offer payment plans, and there are also a number of non-profit organizations that provide financial assistance for egg freezing.
