Costs
The Ultimate Guide to Our Keep Program
With our Keep program, you can more affordably freeze your eggs with partnerships that lighten the financial load and ongoing support from our team. As a Keep member, you’ll benefit from discounts on things like consultations, treatment and cycle fees, and storage costs.
At Cofertility, we believe that freezing your eggs should be an empowering experience that more women have access to. With our Keep program, you can more affordably freeze your eggs with partnerships that lighten the financial load and ongoing support from our team. As a Keep member, you’ll benefit from discounts on things like consultations, treatment and cycle fees, and storage costs. You’ll also access our private Freeze by Co community, where you can connect with our team and with other women going through the egg freezing process at the same time.
Freezing your eggs is a big life decision — much like moving cross country, going back to school, or getting married. The process is often filled with unknowns, difficult to navigate, and financially inaccessible. Our goal is to support you every step of the way, and make it the best experience possible.
Why should I freeze my eggs, anyway?
Whether you’re thinking about going back to school, wanting to invest in your career, unsure whether you want to have kids yet, or just haven’t found your ‘person,’ there are many different reasons why freezing your eggs might make sense for you. Over 70% of our members cite building their career or going back to school as the most important factors to them right now. Egg freezing is a way to keep your reproductive options open for later by preserving younger, healthier eggs for future use. What’s more, the prime time for freezing your eggs is actually a lot earlier than you think. Freezing your eggs while you’re still in your 20s can boost your chances of successful pregnancy, no matter your age when you decide to start your family.
Overall, deciding to freeze your eggs can do more than provide family building options later in life. Going through the process of retrieving and freezing your eggs can give you insights into your health and offer you peace of mind about how you’ll accomplish your goals.
To learn more, check out our articles: Why Do People Freeze Their Eggs? Should I Be Thinking About It Too?, What’s the Best Age to Freeze My Eggs?, and When Should I Freeze My Eggs?
How do I know if I am eligible for the Keep program?
Unlike our Split program, where you freeze your eggs for free when donating half to a family that can’t otherwise conceive, the Keep program’s eligibility requirements are much less stringent. In fact, the decision to freeze your eggs through Keep will ultimately be between you and your doctor, once you both review your medical history and test results.
For example, while you must be between 21-33 to participate in Split, you can still take part in the Keep program as long as you are under age 40 (these are the clinics’ rules, not ours).
So whether you don’t qualify for egg donation, or simply are not interested in egg donation, the Keep program could be a great option for you.
What are the benefits of the Keep program?
By freezing your eggs through Cofertility’s Keep program, you’ll gain access to:
- Preferred and vetted fertility clinic recommendations in many major markets, with discounted or free consultations
- Skip the line — many fertility clinics have months-long waitlists for egg freezers. If you work with one of our partner clinics, we’ll help get you through faster
- Special discounts on long-term egg freezing storage
- Dedicated, 1:1 support from our Member Advocates to help you through every step of your egg freezing journey
- Access to our members-only community of women in all stages of their egg freezing journey and direct, free access to fertility experts
- Financial support and resources through our financing partner, Sunfish (waived application and membership fees for all Cofertility members)
What does the Keep process look like?
Step 1: Fill out the intro quiz
To kick off the process, take our quiz and tell us a bit about yourself. This only takes about a minute and gives a sense of what programs you might qualify for.
Step 2: Provide your desired location and timeline for the egg freezing process
After you complete the intro quiz, you’ll receive an email from us with more information on our programs. We’ll ask you to respond back with more details on where (in which city or cities) and when you would like to freeze your eggs. This allows us to make custom recommendations tailored to your needs!
Step 3: Receive fertility clinic recommendation and pricing
We aim to share at least one pre-vetted, recommended fertility clinic near you based on patient reviews, outcomes, and success rates. We know this process can be expensive (between $10,000 to $20,000 per cycle), so we do our best to get you the best pricing. With many clinics, we negotiate preferred pricing for our Keep members, including discounted cycle fees and/or initial consultations.
If we don’t yet have a clinic recommendation near you, we’ll add you to our waitlist for that city and reach out as soon as we do. Keep members are welcome to work with any clinic of their choosing and still be part of the program, but we aim to have at least one recommendation in each major market.
Step 4: Set up an initial consultation with a fertility clinic
Once you decide which clinic you would like to work with, we’ll help get you set up for an initial consultation with a reproductive endocrinologist. Most preferred clinics have guaranteed turnaround times for our members - so no more long waitlists!
Step 5: Get added to the private Freeze by Co members-only community
Once you book your initial consultation and confirm that you would like to be part of our Keep program, we’ll add you to the members-only, Freeze by Co community. This is where you can connect with others going through egg freezing at the exact same time and receive direct access to egg freezing experts through Q&As and webinars.
Step 6: Get support with every step of your egg freezing journey
We will stay coordinated with your fertility clinic and help guide you through every step of the egg freezing process. We’re here for you in a ‘been there, done that’ kind of way, and we will work with our medical advisors to get you answers to any questions you have!
We also have several informative articles on our website that can serve as a primer for what to expect with the egg freezing process:
- I Want to Freeze My Eggs: What's the Egg Retrieval Process Really Like?
- What are the First Steps Towards Freezing my Eggs?
- Everything You Need to Know About Egg Freezing
- The Egg Freezing Process: a First-Timer’s Overview
- A Step-by-Step Guide to Freezing Your Eggs
How much does it cost to be a Keep member?
There is no fee to join the Keep program. The only costs you’ll pay are those directly related to your cycle (e.g., consultation fees, cycle fees, storage fees, and medications). There are a variety of different ways to fund your egg freezing journey, and we are flexible to work with you however it makes sense based on your needs.
Have coverage through your employer or insurance for egg freezing? You can still use these benefits and join our Keep program! Your general health insurance may cover some of your screening and upfront blood work, so we suggest discussing it with the clinic you move forward with if you go through our Keep program.
Need help financing your cycle? We got you! We've partnered with lenders to offer you fertility financial resources. Sunfish offers the most comprehensive marketplace of financial options for egg freezing up to $100,000 at industry-low rates. Some clinics may also offer financing programs for egg freezing cycles.
To learn more, check out our article: How to Pay for Egg Freezing
Where do I sign up?
There is no cost to join the Keep program. Take our quiz today and get your egg freezing process started!
Can You Use HSA/FSA For Egg Freezing?
In this article, we delve into the complex and nuanced world of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), particularly as they relate to egg freezing.
While egg freezing has grown in popularity — with a 46% increase in egg freezing cycles from 2020 to 2021 alone! — it has also increased in cost. As a result, one question that often arises is whether existing healthcare financial structures, such as Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), can be used to cover these expenses. In this article, we delve into the complex and nuanced world of HSAs and FSAs, particularly as they relate to egg freezing.
How HSAs and FSAs work
An HSA is a tax-advantaged medical savings account available to individuals enrolled in a High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP). An FSA, on the other hand, is an employer-sponsored benefit that allows employees to contribute pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible healthcare expenses.
A key characteristic of HSAs and FSAs is their ability to be used for “qualified medical expenses,” which are broadly defined by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). These expenses include costs associated with diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, as well as treatments affecting any part or function of the body. Importantly, the funds can be used for expenses that are not covered by your health insurance plan, including deductibles, co-payments, and other non-covered expenses.
Is egg freezing a qualified medical expense?
The issue arises when we attempt to categorize egg freezing under these “qualified medical expenses.” As of the writing of the article, the IRS does not specifically list egg freezing as an eligible expense. However, they also do not explicitly exclude it.
In their guidance, the IRS states that the primary purpose of the expense must be to alleviate or prevent a physical or mental defect or illness. Therefore, if egg freezing is done for a medical reason, such as preserving fertility before undergoing chemotherapy, it may be possible to argue that it falls under “qualified medical expenses.” But when the procedure is carried out for non-medical reasons, such as lifestyle or career choices, it’s a gray area.
The IRS list is not all-inclusive, and medical eligibility is often subject to interpretation and specific circumstances. So if you’re hoping to use an HSA or FSA for egg freezing, you will definitely want to consult with a tax professional or an accountant to gain a comprehensive understanding of your unique situation.
All of the expenses associated with egg freezing, and if they qualify
Egg freezing encompasses a range of expenses, each contributing to the overall cost. We break them down here as it’s possible that some - even if not all - may qualify in the eyes of the IRS.
Initial consultation
This usually involves an appointment with a fertility doctor to assess your health, discuss the egg freezing process, and possibly begin preliminary testing. As this is a medical consultation, it may fall under "qualified medical expenses" if it’s related to a specific medical condition or concern.
Birth control
Birth control may be prescribed for the weeks leading up to your cycle to give your care team more control over the timing of your egg freezing procedure, help your ovaries better respond to fertility drugs, and minimize the growth of cysts. Prescription birth control generally counts as an eligible medical expense unless otherwise restricted by your employer's plan documents.
Ovarian stimulation medications
Prior to the egg retrieval procedure, you are given hormonal medications to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs. The IRS states that you can include the amount you paid for “prescribed medicines and drugs,” thus these medications may qualify.
Monitoring and lab work
During the egg freezing cycle, you will have multiple visits to monitor your hormones and follicle development. The categorization of the lab work and monitoring may depend on the specific medical circumstances surrounding the egg freezing cycle.
Egg retrieval procedure
The egg retrieval procedure often involves the use of sedation or anesthesia. The retrieval and the associated anesthesia may be categorized as a medical expense, but it’s again contingent upon the specific circumstances.
Egg storage
The process of actually freezing the eggs and then storing them at sub-zero temperatures requires a significant amount of resources and technology. As of the current regulations, this is the expense that is least likely to be categorized as a “qualified medical expense.” The primary reason being that the IRS stipulates that healthcare storage (like cord blood banking) is only considered a qualified expense if it's reasonable to believe the stored material will be used to treat a pre-existing or imminent medical condition.
If you qualify for our Split program, where you can freeze your eggs for free when you donate half to another family who can’t conceive (think: LGBTQ+ parents, those with infertility, and more), your cycle coverage includes up to 10 years of frozen egg storage!
Future thawing, fertilization, and embryo transfer
These procedures occur if and when you decide to use your frozen eggs to attempt pregnancy. They involve further medical procedures and medications, which, under most circumstances, can be considered "qualified medical expenses."
Travel and transportation
Depending on the proximity of the clinic, travel and transportation costs may be a significant part of the overall expenses. However, the IRS typically does not include travel costs for non-emergency medical procedures as qualified expenses. Each case might be different, so consultation with a tax professional is advisable.
Supplements
In some cases, women may be advised to take certain dietary supplements during the process to boost their overall health or egg quality. The IRS includes supplements as a qualified medical expense if they are used as “treatment for a specific medical condition diagnosed by a physician” A Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) could potentially justify their use as part of a broader treatment plan.
Despite the potential categorization of several of these procedures as qualified expenses, it's important to note that the overarching reason for the egg freezing process may influence whether these expenses are considered “qualified” by the IRS. This interpretation varies widely, so consultation with a tax professional or legal advisor is strongly recommended to understand your individual situation.
Getting a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN)
A Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) plays a critical role when seeking reimbursement for medical procedures under consumer-directed healthcare accounts, including HSAs and FSAs. When it comes to egg freezing, this letter becomes an essential component to validate the procedure's medical necessity.
The LMN must be issued by a healthcare provider, often your treating physician, outlining the following crucial elements:
- Connection to medical condition: The LMN should detail the specific medical condition that necessitates egg freezing. This might include conditions like endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or pre-chemotherapy fertility preservation, among others.
- Treatment plan: The letter should include information on how the egg freezing will help alleviate or address the identified medical issue. It may outline the plan for potential usage of the stored eggs in future fertility treatments.
- Duration of storage: The LMN should also provide an estimation of how long the eggs need to be stored. Importantly, IRS guidelines stipulate that only short-term storage, up to 12 months, may be considered a "qualified medical expense." Storage fees that exceed this time frame may not be eligible for reimbursement under current regulations.
Egg freezing and storage for potential future use without a defined medical necessity is typically not considered eligible for reimbursement. The IRS guidelines center around the concept of medical necessity, which is why the LMN is such a crucial part of this process.
Other ways to pay for egg freezing
If you’re interested in egg freezing but learn that you cannot use your HSA or FSA funds, there are other financial avenues to explore.
Employer coverage
Various insurance providers and employers are starting to cover egg freezing and other fertility preservation methods. Progressive companies such as Google, Apple, and Facebook have already started offering egg freezing coverage as part of their benefits package. That said, we have a long way to go before egg freezing is offered as a commonplace employer benefit, which is why our accessible egg freezing programs are helpful to so many.
Read more in What Employers Offer Egg Freezing Benefits?
Health insurance
Unfortunately, very few insurance plans today cover the full cost of egg freezing, unless it is medically necessary. For example, if you have a medical condition that may impact your fertility, such as cancer, your insurance may cover the cost of egg freezing as part of your cancer treatment. Check with your insurance provider to see if they cover egg freezing and what the requirements are.
Read more in Does Insurance Cover Egg Freezing?
Cofertility’s Split program
At Cofertility, our Split program allows you to freeze and store your eggs *entirely for free* for 10 years, when you give half to a family who can't otherwise conceive.
To see if you qualify, take our quiz and tell us a bit about yourself. This only takes about a minute and gives a sense of what programs you might be qualified for.
Financing
There are a growing number of financing options, such as loans or payment plans like Sunfish, to help patients pay for egg freezing. These options allow you to spread the cost of the procedure over several months, making it more manageable.
Our take: IRS should rethink its stance on elective egg freezing
As healthcare technology and societal norms evolve, there is potential for the IRS regulations to adapt and become more encompassing. Advocacy in this regard is crucial. For instance, RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) are two organizations that have been pushing for more comprehensive coverage of infertility treatments, including egg freezing.
Summing it up
Using HSA or FSA funds for egg freezing is a nuanced and complex issue, largely dependent on individual circumstances and interpretations of IRS guidelines. While it may be possible under specific medical circumstances, women considering egg freezing for non-medical reasons may face more significant challenges in utilizing these funds.
As we navigate this evolving landscape, and encourage the expansion of “qualified medical expenses,” you’ll want to seek professional tax advice, and explore other financial avenues towards making egg freezing more accessible. Through our collective voices and efforts, we can work towards making fertility preservation a widely recognized and supported aspect of women's healthcare.
Freeze your eggs with Cofertility
We’d love the opportunity to support you on your egg freezing journey.
Through our Split program, qualified freezers can freeze their eggs for free when donating half of the eggs retrieved to a family who can’t otherwise conceive.
Through our Keep program — where you keep 100% of eggs retrieved for your own future use — we offer exclusive discounts on expenses, such as frozen egg storage. Keep members also still gain free access to our Freeze by Co Community, a safe space for those engaging in the egg freezing process (or gearing up for it) to connect and lean on each other.
By making egg freezing easier and more accessible, our programs further strengthen the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)’s Committee Opinion that egg freezing can help promote social justice and strengthen gender equality.
Seven Mistakes People Make When Freezing Their Eggs
A guide to help you avoid seven common mistakes people make when freezing their eggs.
Egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, has grown in popularity, with a 46% increase in egg freezing cycles from 2020 to 2021 alone! This transformative medical procedure has garnered significant attention and interest.
Amidst all the buzz and excitement, it's important to navigate your egg freezing journey with the facts. To ensure a successful and fulfilling experience, we've curated a guide to help you avoid seven common mistakes people make when freezing their eggs.
Working with the wrong doctor
The importance of selecting the right doctor for your egg freezing journey cannot be overstated. Entrusting your reproductive health to a skilled and compassionate fertility specialist is paramount. Choosing a doctor who understands your unique needs, communicates effectively, and provides personalized care is essential for a successful egg freezing experience.
Take the time to research and seek recommendations, ensuring you find a doctor who aligns with your values, instills confidence, and supports you every step of the way. Remember, the right doctor can make all the difference in your pursuit of fertility preservation.
Read more in What To Look For in An Egg Freezing Clinic
Not freezing their eggs sooner
We are born with all the eggs we will ever have, and lose them each month until we hit menopause and no eggs remain. Not only that, but our quality of eggs decline along with quantity. This is because eggs are more likely to contain chromosomal abnormalities (mistakes in their DNA) as we get older.
One of the biggest mistakes individuals make is underestimating the impact of age on egg freezing. Fertility specialists often emphasize the significance of freezing eggs at a younger age, ideally before 40. Time is a precious resource when it comes to preserving fertility, and being proactive ensures a higher chance of success.
One survey study of 98 patients found that the vast majority of egg freezers showed no regret, stating that it was a good decision. But some stated that their only regret was not doing it sooner.
Overlooking lifestyle factors
Creating an optimal environment for egg freezing involves mindful attention to various lifestyle factors. Mistakes are made when individuals underestimate the significance of a balanced diet, regular exercise, and healthy habits. Embrace a nutrient-rich diet, prioritize stress management techniques, and maintain a consistent sleep routine. By incorporating these lifestyle choices, you not only enhance your overall well-being but also create an environment conducive to successful egg freezing.
Skipping the pre-freezing fertility assessment
Embarking on the egg freezing journey without a comprehensive fertility assessment is akin to navigating uncharted waters without a map. To avoid this mistake, consult a knowledgeable fertility specialist who can evaluate your ovarian reserve, hormonal levels, and overall reproductive health. This pre-freezing evaluation allows for a tailored approach and provides valuable insights into your ovarian reserve, which can help predict how well your body would respond to egg freezing medications. Knowledge is power, and a thorough assessment is the first step towards a graceful and informed decision.
Ignoring emotional support
The egg freezing journey can be emotionally charged, as it involves contemplation of one's fertility and future family-building aspirations. Neglecting emotional support during this transformative process is a common yet avoidable mistake. Seek a support system composed of loved ones, therapists, or support groups who can provide guidance, empathy, and understanding. Emotional well-being is the cornerstone of this journey, and by tending to it, you pave the way for a more harmonious experience.
If you freeze your eggs with Cofertility, our inclusive online spaces allow you to connect with others going through the process at the same time.
Thinking it’s an insurance policy
One misunderstanding people make when freezing their eggs is viewing it as an insurance policy against future infertility. While egg freezing does offer a chance to preserve fertility potential, it's important to understand its limitations and set realistic expectations.
Egg freezing is not a guarantee of future pregnancy. It is a proactive step to preserve eggs at a younger age when they are more viable, increasing the chances of successful conception later on. However, there are various factors that can influence the outcome, such as the quality of the eggs, overall health, age at the time of egg freezing, quality of the egg freezing clinic, sperm health, and the chosen fertility treatment in the future.
It's essential to have a clear understanding of the success rates associated with egg freezing and the potential limitations. The chances of achieving a successful pregnancy with frozen eggs can vary depending on individual factors and the quality of the eggs at the time of freezing. Consulting with a fertility doctor can provide valuable insights into your specific situation.
Failing to plan for the future
Freezing eggs is a remarkable step towards reproductive empowerment, but it should not be seen as a standalone solution. A mistake often made is neglecting to plan for the future beyond egg freezing. Engage in discussions with your fertility doctor about next steps, including potential pathways to parenthood, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF). By mapping out your future plans, you embrace a sense of preparedness and ensure a seamless transition when the time comes to utilize your frozen eggs.
Paying too much
One of the common mistakes people make when freezing their eggs is not fully understanding the costs involved and potentially paying more than necessary. The pricing structure for egg freezing can be complex and opaque, leading to confusion and unexpected financial burdens. Average egg freezing cycle costs range from $10,000 - $20,000 for consultations, testing, ultrasounds, medications, and the egg retrieval, plus the ongoing cost of annual storage.
If you work with Cofertility, you can rest assured that you’re getting the best price when working with one of our partner clinics. Through our Keep program, we offer our members partnerships and discounts to lighten the financial load of egg freezing, as well as access to our member community.
Or, in our Split program, which offers women a chance to freeze your eggs *for free* when donating half the eggs to a family who cannot otherwise conceive. If you qualify for the program, every expense associated with the egg freezing procedure — medications, supplements, travel if necessary, insurance, and 10 years of storage — are completely free of charge. We don’t even need a payment or credit card up front, as the family you match with covers all the expenses.
Let us help you freeze those eggs!
If you are interested in freezing your eggs, we can connect you with a fertility specialist for a consultation to discuss your specific situation. Our Freeze by Co platform is making egg freezing more empowering, positive, and accessible — even free — when you give half of the eggs retrieved to a family who can’t otherwise conceive.
Egg Freezing After a Cancer Diagnosis
For women of reproductive age, one of the critical decisions is understanding how cancer treatments might impact fertility and what can be done to preserve it.
Cancer is a challenging journey that often necessitates numerous life-altering decisions. For women of reproductive age, one of these critical decisions is understanding how cancer treatments might impact fertility and what can be done to preserve it. In this article we’ll explore this delicate intersection of oncology and reproductive health, and talk about the option of egg freezing.
The impact of cancer treatments on fertility
Cancer treatments, while lifesaving, can significantly affect fertility. These impacts can vary depending on the specific treatment, the dose, your age, and the area being treated.
- Chemotherapy medications, designed to target rapidly dividing cells, may inadvertently impact the eggs in the ovaries. This decrease can result in infertility, primary ovarian insufficiency, or a narrowed window of fertility, much like natural aging. Women over 35, having fewer eggs to start with, are more susceptible to this effect.
- Radiation therapy targeted at the pelvis or the entire abdomen can harm eggs and the uterus. The radiation can lead to scarring, or fibrosis, in the uterus, making it challenging for the uterus to accommodate a growing fetus. Consequently, women may face difficulties in conceiving or carrying a pregnancy to term, increasing the risk of miscarriage or premature labor.
- Treatments involving the brain, such as surgery or radiation, can affect the pituitary gland responsible for releasing hormones that stimulate egg maturation and ovulation. While the eggs in the ovaries are not directly damaged, the disruption in hormone regulation can affect fertility. However, hormone replacement medications may help restore fertility in these cases.
- Surgery involving one or both ovaries or the uterus can directly impact fertility. The degree of this impact would depend on the extent of surgical intervention.
If you are considering cancer treatment and are concerned about its potential impact on your fertility, it is important to discuss your concerns with your oncologist and/or a fertility doctor. They can provide you with information about the potential effects of cancer treatment on fertility and help you understand your options for preserving your fertility before treatment begins.
Egg freezing options
For those about to embark on cancer treatment, a few fertility preservation options can increase the chances of having biological children in the future.
Egg freezing (oocyte cryopreservation) is a process involving stimulating the ovaries with hormones to produce multiple eggs, which are then retrieved and frozen for future use. The entire process takes about two weeks from start to finish, but the start date depends on your menstrual cycle.
If you have a partner or choose to use donor sperm, the eggs can be fertilized before freezing, creating embryos for future implantation. The benefit of fertilizing the eggs immediately is that you will know how many embryos you have for future use.
Ovarian tissue freezing is a relatively new and experimental technique that involves surgically removing and freezing ovarian tissue, which contains thousands of immature eggs. This tissue can later be re-implanted to restore fertility or used to mature eggs in the laboratory. This may be an option for those who are not able to undergo egg freezing due the urgent need to begin cancer treatment.
To freeze or not to freeze
Making a choice on which fertility preservation option to pursue, if any, can be a difficult decision. A myriad of factors play into this decision, including your current health, age, cancer type, the proposed treatment regimen, personal circumstances, and future family plans.
Navigating a cancer diagnosis while also thinking about future fertility can be emotionally overwhelming. There are not only physical implications to consider, but also emotional, psychological, and social dimensions to this journey.
The chosen method must be compatible with your treatment plan and timing, as some methods require hormonal stimulation and time to mature and retrieve the eggs. A fertility doctor, alongside your oncology team, can provide the most accurate advice based on your unique situation.
It's important to seek emotional and mental health support during this challenging time. Reach out to your health care team, a mental health professional, supportive loved ones, or a support group of others going through a similar experience. It can be helpful to share your feelings, fears, and hopes, and to hear others' experiences and insights.
Financial considerations - how to pay for egg freezing
Another important aspect to consider is the cost of fertility preservation treatments. These procedures can be expensive, and not all are covered by insurance. Average egg freezing costs range from $10,000 - $20,000 for consultations, testing, ultrasounds, medications, and the egg retrieval, plus the ongoing cost of annual storage. But ultimately depends on the clinic you’re going to, where you are located, the medications you are prescribed (it differs based on your age and body), and where/how long you store the eggs.
There may be ways to lessen the financial burden, including:
Insurance coverage
Begin by thoroughly understanding your insurance coverage. Some health insurance plans provide partial or complete coverage for fertility preservation, especially in cases of medically necessary treatments such as cancer. Legislation in certain states mandates insurance coverage for fertility preservation for cancer patients.
As of the writing of this article, these states require health insurance plans to cover medically necessary fertility preservation:
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Illinois
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- Rhode Island
- Texas
- Utah
Reach out to your insurance provider to understand what is covered and what out-of-pocket costs you can anticipate.
Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA)
If you have an FSA or HSA through your insurance plan, these funds can often be used to cover fertility preservation expenses. Check with your plan administrator to confirm what expenses qualify.
Tax deductions
The IRS has traditionally considered fertility preservation treatments, like egg freezing, to be tax-deductible when they are deemed medically necessary. This typically refers to situations where a medical condition or treatment (such as chemotherapy for cancer) could cause infertility. You’ll want to talk to a tax professional about which egg freezing expenses you can deduct from your taxes.
Negotiating prices and shop around
Don't hesitate to discuss the costs with your fertility clinic. Some clinics may offer discounted rates or payment plans for individuals facing financial constraints. Get pricing from a few clinics to see your options.
Financing options
There are a growing number of financing options, such as loans or payment plans, to help patients pay for egg freezing. These options allow you to spread the cost of the procedure over several months, making it more manageable. For example, Sunfish makes egg freezing (and fertility treatment in general) attainable for all types of families with low-interest loans or lines of credit.
Financial assistance programs and grants for cancer patients
Numerous organizations offer grants or financial aid to cancer patients seeking fertility preservation. Examples include the Livestrong Fertility Program, Team Maggie, Chick Mission, the SAMFund, The Ferring Heartbeat program, and Fertile Action. These organizations aim to alleviate the financial burden of fertility preservation and increase access to these vital services.
Crowdfunding
With the rising popularity of crowdfunding platforms, many people turn to their community, near and far, for financial support. Websites like GoFundMe can be used to raise funds for medical treatments.
Employer benefits
Increasingly, employers are recognizing the importance of supporting their employees' reproductive health and are incorporating fertility benefits into their packages. Explore whether your employer offers any such benefits or whether they would consider adding them.
Options if you choose not to freeze your eggs
If you don’t freeze your eggs before cancer treatment, it's important to remember that does not mean the end of the road for parenthood. There are multiple paths available to build a family.
It may be possible to regain fertility naturally after cancer treatments, particularly if you are under 30 at the time of treatment. You’ll want to talk with your oncologist and a fertility doctor about when it would be safe to try for a pregnancy and the potential risks involved.
For women whose ovarian reserve has been significantly impacted, the use of donor eggs can be a great option. In this process, eggs from a donor are fertilized with your partner's sperm (or donor sperm), and the resulting embryos are implanted in your uterus. This path allows you to experience pregnancy and childbirth.
If the uterus has been damaged by radiation or surgery, or if pregnancy poses a health risk, gestational surrogacy might be an option. In this case, an embryo (created with your egg or a donor egg and your partner's or a donor's sperm) is carried by a gestational carrier.
Finally, adoption remains a heartfelt path to parenthood for many individuals and couples. Adopting a child can be a fulfilling choice that meets the deep desire to raise and nurture a child.
Living with the aftermath of a cancer diagnosis can be challenging, particularly when it affects your family planning. However, remember that numerous avenues to parenthood remain open, and while they may not be the paths you initially envisioned, they can be equally rewarding and enriching. Your dream of becoming a parent can still be a reality; it might just involve a different route than you originally planned.
Summing it up
Navigating the landscape of cancer and fertility can be laden with emotional and medical complexities. However, armed with knowledge about potential impacts and available options, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your future family-building aspirations. Your oncology and fertility teams can provide guidance and support, helping you weave your way through this intricate journey and minimizing future regrets. In the end, the goal is to optimize not just survival, but also quality of life and future dreams.
What Medical Schools Offer Egg Freezing for Students and Faculty?
In this article, we’ll share an overview of egg freezing and the costs involved, why egg freezing is especially important to consider as a female in medicine, and what kind of egg freezing benefits universities may offer medical students and faculty.
Maybe you already know the ins and outs of egg freezing, or maybe not — but (especially if you’re a med student), the question remains: how can you afford it? Or, better yet, could your school possibly even offer egg freezing as an insurance benefit?
The answer? It depends, and it may differ whether you’re a student or faculty member. In this article, we’ll share an overview of egg freezing and the costs involved, why egg freezing is especially important to consider as a female in medicine, and what kind of egg freezing benefits universities may offer medical students and faculty.
Why you should care about egg freezing
First things first: what even is egg freezing, and why should we talk about it? Egg freezing is a procedure where your eggs are extracted, frozen, and stored for later use. While you may not end up needing them, if you do end up facing fertility challenges or decide to pursue donor sperm to grow your family, you can thaw your previously frozen eggs and fertilize them with sperm. This will, hopefully, lead to those eggs becoming embryos that can then be transferred to your uterus and ideally, result in a pregnancy.
Data tells us that the younger eggs are, the healthier and higher quality they are. Our egg quantity also declines with age, so if you’re going to freeze your eggs, freezing at an earlier age is ideal and increases the likelihood of conceiving a biological child in the future.
Female physicians face infertility at a higher rate
We hate to report this, but a recent study indicated that roughly 25% of female doctors trying to conceive face fertility challenges — just about double the rate of the general public. The rate of pregnancy loss among female surgeons is equally concerning; at 42%, this compares to the rate among the general public of 1 in 4 pregnancies ending in some sort of loss.
“Roughly 25% of female doctors trying to conceive face fertility challenges — just about double the rate of the general public.”
There are many factors that contribute to these statistics. For starters, female physicians are more likely to delay family building due to pursuing their medical education and residency. Depending on the specialty, many doctors will be well into their 30s before beginning to try for their first child. And, as previously explained, age can impact egg quality and quantity down the line. Combine this with the strain caused by the grueling lifestyle of residency, and the impact of a medical track upon a female physician’s fertility becomes even clearer.
Egg freezing coverage for med students and faculty
Before jumping into specifics around egg freezing coverage, it’s important to understand the concept of university healthcare insurance, especially for students.
How university healthcare coverage works
Many higher education institutions offer health insurance plans to their students, either through the university itself or by facilitating access to external plans. These plans typically cover essential medical services, preventive care, and, in some cases, mental health services.
University health insurance plans usually operate on an annual basis. Students are required to enroll in or waive coverage at the beginning of each academic year. The cost of coverage is often included in tuition and fees, and coverage extends throughout the academic year, including breaks. Some plans also cover services rendered off-campus, providing flexibility for students studying abroad or residing off-campus.
However, the extent and details of coverage vary widely among university health insurance plans, and there are even various state-by-state regulations that govern what’s allowed.
Egg freezing coverage for med students
So, if we know that medical professionals are more likely to experience fertility challenges, surely there must be sweeping, extensive egg freezing coverage to help them get ahead of it, right? These individuals are sacrificing their time, their livelihoods, their sleep, and their bank accounts to take care of us — so of course they’re being taken care of too, yes?
For students, unfortunately, the answer is no.
Typically, as part of university healthcare plans, elective procedures (chosen by the patient vs. being deemed “medically necessary”) such as proactive egg freezing are not covered. And, while many university healthcare institutions do have their own in-house fertility clinics with reproductive endocrinologists on staff conducting assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures daily, these services are not subsidized for students.
Non-elective procedures that may be covered, on the other hand, might include things like egg freezing as a result of a cancer diagnosis. Some schools may even include infertility treatment as part of their student healthcare coverage. It’s essential for students to review their specific plan details to understand the scope of coverage and any potential gaps in benefits.
One 2022 study found that only one medical school provides coverage for elective fertility preservation. Unfortunately, however, at the time of writing, we were not able to confirm which school is referenced (if this is your school — we want to hear about it!).
It is worth noting that some private fertility clinics will subsidize costs for med students, residents, or fellows, in recognition of the unique additional hardships that they face when it comes to family building. At the time of writing this, Massachusetts-based Boston IVF, for example, currently offers 25% off one egg freezing cycle plus 15% off medication through VFP Pharmacy Group for those individuals. With many locations nationwide, Shady Grove also offers a discount on egg freezing cycles (including monitoring, retrieval, and freezing) for surgical residents across various specialties. Their site is not clear on the exact discount, but you may contact ResidentEggFreezing@USFertility.com for the most up-to-date information.
Egg freezing coverage for med school faculty
Like many employers, to entice the best and brightest minds, medical universities often tout the benefits that come along with working on staff. This includes healthcare coverage, and those plans may include some degree of fertility and family-building coverage. Johns Hopkins, the University of Maryland, and the University of Michigan (to name a few) all provide faculty with the option of enrolling in their insurance plans that include fertility treatment coverage.
That being said, for egg freezing in particular, even for med school faculty it still has to be deemed “medically necessary” vs. “elective” in order to be covered within these plans. Instead, the healthcare coverage that’s usually provided tends to focus primarily on services for those trying to conceive — hormonal, IUI, or IVF treatment and medication.
How to freeze your eggs more affordably
Given that elective egg freezing coverage — even for med students and faculty — tends to remain an out of pocket expense, you’re probably wondering how to afford the costs. Depending on where you’re located, your clinic, and your medication protocol, average egg freezing cycle costs can range anywhere from $10,000 - $20,000, plus annual storage fees.
That being said, there are various ways to lighten the load of egg freezing costs, including financing, using money from your flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA), crowdfunding, and more.
With Cofertility, though, you may be able to freeze your eggs completely for free if you donate half of the eggs retrieved to another family who can’t conceive through our Split program. This may include LGBTQ+ intended parents, those with infertility, or cancer survivors who want to grow their family.
If you’re interested in learning more about our Split program, take our one-minute quiz to see if you’re eligible and get started.
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