For many, infertility treatment — whether or not you pursue egg donation — can be a costly process, even if it provides an incredible opportunity for people who want to achieve their dreams of parenthood. Fortunately, there are several ways to finance infertility costs (including the cost of using an egg donor) with loans that can make the process more accessible, a mission of ours here at Cofertility.
Egg donation financing options to consider
Here are some options to consider when financing the use of an egg donor:
Financing programs
Some fertility clinics offer financing programs that allow individuals and couples to pay for egg donation services over time, often with little to no interest. These programs can make the cost of egg donation more manageable by breaking it down into smaller, more affordable payments. However, it’s essential to understand the terms and conditions of the financing program, including any fees or penalties that may apply.
If you’ve decided you want to go the loan route, you have many options to choose from. There are general lending companies as well as companies that specialize in loans just for fertility treatments.
Sunfish
Sunfish makes fertility treatment attainable for all types of families. If you’re pursuing egg donation and are interested in working with Cofertility to find your perfect match, we’ve partnered with Sunfish to offer you fertility financial resources and support throughout your journey. Sunfish offers the most comprehensive marketplace of financial options for IVF, egg freezing, embryo preservations, gestational surrogacy, egg donations, and more, up to $100,000 at industry-low rates.
Sunfish has also waived their application and membership fees for all intended parents who are working with Cofertility. To take advantage of Cofertility’s infertility loan partnership with Sunfish, click here.
Carrot Fertility
If your employer offers access to Carrot Fertility, this benefit can help offset some of the costs associated with infertility treatment, including egg donation. Carrot works by reimbursing eligible fertility-related expenses. For any costs that are subsidized through Carrot, itemized invoices must be submitted in order to receive reimbursement.
For intended parents working with Cofertility, those invoices are created as part of the escrow disbursement process. Once available, the documents can be uploaded directly to Carrot to begin the reimbursement process. If you have questions about which expenses qualify or need help gathering the appropriate paperwork, we can help guide you through the process.
CapexMD
CapexMD is a lender that specializes in financing fertility treatment, including egg donation. They offer customized loan programs with competitive rates and flexible terms designed specifically for fertility care.
At Cofertility, CapexMD is a trusted financing partner, helping intended parents access loans that can cover a range of expenses, including medical procedures and medications. This can help simplify the financial side of treatment and reduce the risk of delays. Intended parents can apply online and typically receive a pre-approval decision within 24 hours.
Ally
Ally’s loans offer solutions to cover the cost of infertility treatment at select partner clinics. Fill out a form to see your lending options and choose from 24-84-month loan options with annual percentage rates (APRs) starting at 3.99%.
FutureFamily
FutureFamily offers IVF loans (including egg donation), and they handle paying all your bills so you have just one easy payment. Loans start at $150/month* for 60 months based on your clinic, credit score, and approved infertility-related expenses. While you can apply individually, the rates are better (0% APR) if you are freezing with one of their partner clinics.
Lending Club
Lending Club offers infertility loans that cover things like genetic testing, medications, and medical procedures at select partner clinics. They forward payment directly to the providers within three business days. Monthly payments are as low as $263/month to finance $15,000 with a 7.99% APR for 72 months.
Personal loans
Personal loans can be an option to finance the cost of egg donation, but they often come with high-interest rates and fees. It’s essential to compare multiple loan options, understand the terms and conditions, and consider the long-term impact of taking on debt.
Other ways to save
Tax credits
The IRS offers a tax credit of up to $13,360 for qualifying expenses related to infertility treatments, including egg donation. This credit can significantly reduce the cost of using an egg donor, but it’s important to consult with a tax professional to ensure that you qualify and understand the application process.
Infertility grants
In addition to financing the process with a loan, you may want to consider applying for infertility grants. There are many programs out there with shared goals of making family-building dreams come true. We also recommend checking out your state’s mandated fertility insurance coverage to see what you may be entitled to.
What to know about taking out a loan
When taking out a loan, you’ll want to understand the terms and conditions of the loan, as well as the responsibilities that come with borrowing a large sum of money. A lot of the websites listed above will have online calculators to help you get a sense for the terms and fees you can expect.
Loan amount
Consider how much you want to finance and whether they finance that amount. You could finance part, or all, of the egg freezing expenses.
Loan terms
Loan terms are the length of time you have to repay the loan, and they can range from a few months to several years. Shorter loan terms generally result in higher monthly payments, while longer loan terms result in lower monthly payments but a higher total cost over the life of the loan.
Interest rates
Interest rates are the fees charged by the lender for borrowing money, and they can have a significant impact on the total cost of the loan. Find out the current interest rate being charged, and if that interest rate will stay the same or change over time.
Loan fees
Of course, these lending groups need to make money, and they do this through loan fees. Loan fees are the additional charges associated with taking out a loan, including origination fees, application fees, late-payment fees, or prepayment penalties. You can use the annual percentage rate (APR) to compare average yearly fee and interest-rate expenses over the term of the loan. It’s important to carefully review all loan fees and to make sure you understand the total cost of the loan.
Repayment options
Repayment options are the ways in which you can pay back the loan, including monthly payments, lump sum payments, or a combination of both.
Loan security
Loan security is the collateral that you provide to the lender to secure the loan, such as a home or a car. If you fail to repay the loan, the lender may take possession of the collateral. If you’re taking out a secured loan, it’s important to carefully consider the risks and responsibilities associated with putting up collateral.
Finally, if you’re quoted a monthly payment, remember to look beyond the monthly payment. Think about how long you will pay, and what fees and costs have been added.
Is financing your egg donation journey right for you?
Infertility loans are a great option to consider when financing your path to parenthood. We’re all about making the family-building process — especially via egg donation — more accessible. Through our platform, we’re able to reduce costs for intended parents and help make sure donors aren’t put between a rock and a hard place.
How do we do it? With Cofertility, all of the egg donors on our platform give half of their eggs retrieved to intended parents, just like you, and freeze the other half for themselves for free to preserve some of their own fertility for the future. This way, they’re able to give a life-changing gift, but also consider their own ambitions and lifestyle choices. We feel this is significantly more ethical than other donation options out there, and our intended parents love the transparent nature of our platform.
We’re thrilled to continue our mission to make egg donation a more accessible family-building option, while providing an empowering opportunity for women who want to preserve some of their reproductive future.
Frequently asked questions about financing infertility and egg donation
Can egg donation be financed?
Yes. Egg donation can be financed through fertility-specific lenders, personal loans, clinic financing programs, and employer fertility benefits like Carrot. Many intended parents use a combination of loans, reimbursement programs, and grants to manage costs.
Are there loans specifically for infertility treatment?
Yes. Several lenders specialize in fertility financing and offer loans designed for IVF, egg donation, medications, and genetic testing. These loans often have more flexible terms than traditional personal loans and may work directly with fertility clinics.
Does insurance cover egg donation?
In most cases, insurance does not fully cover egg donation, though some components of treatment may be partially covered depending on your plan and state mandates. Employer fertility benefits, such as Carrot, can help reimburse eligible expenses even when insurance does not.
Is employer fertility coverage worth using with egg donation?
Absolutely. Employer fertility benefits can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs for egg donation. Even if the benefit doesn’t cover every expense, reimbursement programs can offset major portions of treatment, medications, or associated fees.
What should I consider before taking out an infertility loan?
Before taking out a loan, consider the total cost over time, interest rates, fees, repayment length, and how the loan fits into your overall financial picture. Looking beyond the monthly payment can help you avoid unexpected long-term costs.
Can I combine multiple financing options?
Yes. Many intended parents combine loans, employer benefits, grants, and insurance coverage to make treatment more affordable. Working with a fertility-focused financial counselor can help you create a plan that fits your needs and timeline.
