Best Companies and Plans for Fertility Insurance (2025)
Blue Cross Blue Shield, Kaiser Permanente and Ambetter are great options for infertility insurance, but coverage depends on where you live.
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Best Fertility Insurance Companies
To pick the best health insurance companies for fertility insurance, ValuePenguin's experts reviewed Gold plan coverage from seven of the largest insurance companies in the country.
We first looked at the total out-of-pocket cost for fertility treatment. Because fertility treatment is expensive, it's likely most people will reach their out-of-pocket maximum during treatment. This means that your total health care cost for infertility treatment is the annual premium plus out-of-pocket maximum of each plan. Availability, network size and type, deductibles and overall HealthCare.gov ratings were also factored into the ranking.
To choose the best and runner-up plans from each company, our experts looked at plan features such as the total out-of-pocket cost (annual premium plus out-of-pocket maximum), availability and network type. However, even the best plan from each company won't be the best plan for everyone. Always review your options carefully and through the lens of your specific needs.
Not all states require insurance companies to cover infertility treatments. In states where coverage isn't mandated, it's unlikely that even the best companies will cover the cost for infertility care.
Read the full methodology.
Best health insurance for infertility treatments
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) is a top option for fertility treatment coverage because it allows you to see most doctors and specialists.
However, your total costs with BCBS could be higher. If you need a lower-cost plan, Ambetter is a good option. Kaiser Permanente has some of the best customer service available, but it also requires you to only use Kaiser doctors.
Company | Monthly Gold plan rate | |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $681 |
| Kaiser Permanente | $539 |
| Ambetter | $551 |
Fertility treatment isn't covered in all states or by all plans. Always read plan documents before purchasing a plan for a specific coverage.
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Health insurance coverage for fertility care depends on where you live. Currently, 21 states and Washington, D.C. require private health insurance plans to cover infertility treatments.
However, even in a state where coverage is required, there can be limitations. Religious organizations are often excluded from having to cover infertility treatment on their group health insurance plans, for example. Additionally, the specific type of fertility treatments that are covered varies by state and plan.
Blue Cross Blue Shield: Best for choice of fertility doctors
-
Editor's rating
- Cost: $681/month
Most doctors and specialists take Blue Cross Blue Shield, which gives you more options when looking for a fertility specialist.
| Best plan: BlueCHiP Direct Advance 2300/4600 (Rhode Island) |
| Runner-up: BluePreferred Gold $1650 (Washington, D.C.) |
Pros:
-
Most doctors take BCBS
-
High member satisfaction
-
Widely available
Cons:
-
Can be more expensive than other companies
-
Coverage and service depend on your local BCBS company
Blue Cross Blue Shield is one of the biggest and most widely accepted health insurance companies in the country. This means you'll have more options when it comes to choosing fertility clinics and doctors.
BCBS plans are also widely available, although fertility care isn't covered in every state.
Unfortunately, Blue Cross Blue Shield plans are more expensive than plans from many other companies. They also come with higher out-of-pocket maximums, which means you'll pay more each year before your plan covers the full cost of your health care. If you're willing to pay more for high-quality coverage, Blue Cross Blue Shield is a good choice.
On average, you'll pay up to $15,773 in a year when factoring in both the cost for the plan and your healthcare costs.
You pay | |
|---|---|
| Annual rate | $8,172 |
| Average out-of-pocket maximum | $7,601 |
| Total yearly health care costs |
$15,773
|
Average rates for a 40-year-old.
Overall, you'll pay more for fertility treatment with a BCBS plan, but you'll have the perk of choosing from a wider selection of doctors.
Kaiser Permanente: Best customer service
-
Editor's rating
- Cost: $539/month
Kaiser Permanente is known for its strong service, which is a plus when navigating complex medical care such as fertility treatments.
|
| Best plan: MD Gold 1750 Ded/250 RxDed/Vision (Maryland) |
|
| Runner-up: Select CO Gold 0/25 RX Copay (Colorado) |
Pros:
-
Excellent service
-
High-quality coverage
-
Low average deductibles
Cons:
-
Only available in eight states and Washington, D.C.
-
Requires you to use Kaiser doctors
Kaiser Permanente is an excellent option for health insurance with great customer service. Working with a company that has good service can make navigating treatment easier, especially because fertility treatment can be complex and go on for longer periods of time.
Kaiser plans also tend to have low deductibles, which means you pay less up front before your health coverage starts paying toward your bills. Plans from Kaiser Permanente also have low rates and low out-of-pocket maximums, which means you'll pay less overall for health insurance and health care.
You pay | |
|---|---|
| Annual rate | $6,468 |
| Average out-of-pocket maximum | $7,868 |
| Total yearly health care costs | $14,336 |
Average rates for a 40-year-old.
Many of Kaiser's plans also specify that they cover IVF, making the company a great choice for people who want that specific treatment.
However, Kaiser plans aren't available in most states. You have to live in California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Oregon, Virginia, Washington or Washington, D.C. to get a plan. And if you have a plan from Kaiser, you have to use Kaiser's doctors and specialists. You won't be able to choose a fertility doctor that isn't affiliated with Kaiser Permanente unless you're willing to pay the full cost of care yourself.
Ambetter: Cheapest overall costs
-
Editor's rating
- Cost: $551/month
Ambetter has cheap average rates and low out-of-pocket maximums, which means you'll pay less overall for your fertility care.
|
| Best plan: Elite Gold — QualChoiceLife (Arkansas) |
|
| Runner-up: Central Gold (Illinois) |
Pros:
-
Low average rates
-
Lets you pay less for medical care overall
Cons:
-
Lower-quality coverage compared to other companies
-
Can be hard to find in-network doctors
Ambetter is the best choice for low-cost fertility treatment. The company's low average rate, combined with low out-of-pocket maximums, means you'll pay less for health insurance and health care yearly than with other companies. However, remember that infertility treatment is often expensive. Even with a plan that has lower-than-average costs, you'll still pay a large amount for care.
You pay | |
|---|---|
| Annual rate | $6,612 |
| Average out-of-pocket maximum | $7,209 |
| Total yearly health care costs | $13,821 |
Average rates for a 40-year-old.
However, it can be more difficult to find doctors who take Ambetter coverage than with companies such as Blue Cross Blue Shield or Kaiser Permanente. Ambetter may not keep its provider directory up to date, which means you might not get accurate info about in-network doctors from its site. Before you get an Ambetter plan, call the fertility clinic and doctors you want to work with and make sure they take Ambetter.
What's the best plan level for fertility coverage?
Gold plans are the best option for most people who need fertility care.
Platinum plans can be an even better option if you can get one, but they aren't available in every state.
Bronze plans can also be a good option, despite having a higher average out-of-pocket maximum. That's because the annual rate for a Bronze plan is sometimes so cheap that it offsets the higher out-of-pocket cost. However, if you get a Bronze plan, you'll need to make sure you have enough money in the bank to pay higher costs up front. Once you hit your out-of-pocket maximum, the only thing you'll have to pay is your monthly rate.
Once you've found a few plans that you're considering buying, follow these steps to figure out how much you could pay for health care:
- Calculate the annual cost for the plan. To do this, multiply the monthly rate by 12.
- Find the out-of-pocket maximum. This should be clearly listed when you're looking at plans on HealthCare.gov or your state's marketplace site.
- Add the annual rate and the out-of-pocket maximum together. This number is the full amount that you'll pay for health care in a given year. It represents the cost of your plan and the total cost you'll pay toward your health care bills.
Don't forget to check each plan's coverage documents carefully to make sure fertility care is covered before you buy.
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Does insurance cover fertility treatment?
Where you live largely determines whether or not your insurance covers fertility treatment.
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Coverage also depends on the company you choose and what plan you buy. In some states, companies are required to offer you fertility coverage, but you don't have to accept it.
Infertility treatment coverage requirements by state
State | Infertility coverage |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Not Covered |
| Alaska | Not Covered |
| Arizona | Not Covered |
| Arkansas | Covered |
| California | Required to offer coverage only |
Does insurance cover egg freezing?
Some insurance plans cover the cost to freeze your eggs, but it depends on your plan and where you live.
In New York, insurance companies are required to cover the cost to freeze both eggs and sperm, but it's the only state to require this coverage.
However, other states require some kind of infertility coverage, and companies in those states might choose to cover egg and sperm freezing. Even in states without required coverage, your plan could still choose to cover those services. The only way to know for sure is to read your plan's coverage document carefully and talk with your insurance company.
Will insurance cover in vitro fertilization?
Whether or not you have IVF coverage depends on where you live and the specifics of your health insurance plan.
In New York, some insurance plans are required to cover IVF. In Texas, insurance companies have to offer to cover IVF treatment, although you can decline the coverage.
But in other states, even those where insurance companies are required to cover fertility treatment, the specifics can vary. For example, a state might require companies to cover some kind of infertility treatment, but companies could choose to only cover IUI or medications to promote ovulation.
Check your insurance plan's coverage documents and talk with your representative to find out if you have coverage for IVF. If you do have coverage, make sure you understand how much you'll have to pay out of pocket.
How much does fertility treatment cost?
IVF, the most common fertility treatment, costs $13,000 to $14,000 each time you go through the process.
This is called a "cycle," and it involves medication to make a woman ovulate, a procedure to collect the eggs, fertilizing the eggs in a laboratory setting and transferring the embryos into a woman's uterus.
Each cycle usually takes two to three weeks. While everyone's experience is different, fertility clinics usually recommend that you go through no more than four to six cycles of IVF. With each cycle costing $13,000 to $14,000, the total cost can rise quickly.
Infertility treatment costs
Type of treatment | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Medication to induce ovulation | $5 to $20/month |
| Donated sperm | $500 |
| Medication combined with IUI | $500 to $700/month |
| Oral and injection medication combined | $1,500 to $2,000/month |
| Frozen embryo transfer | $2,500 |
Everyone's cost for fertility treatment will be different. That's because costs vary depending on where you live, what clinic you go to, what insurance plan you have and the exact steps you need to take.
Let's say you need two cycles of IVF, each one costing $14,000. Total, that's $28,000 in medical bills.
Without insurance, you'll pay the full $28,000 yourself. But if you have insurance that covers IVF, your costs depend on the cost of your plan and your plan's out-of-pocket maximum.
IVF cost with insurance
Your cost | |
|---|---|
| Annual insurance rate | $8,112 |
| Out-of-pocket maximum | $7,515 |
| Maximum annual cost for health care | $15,627 |
Annual rate, deductibles and out-of-pocket maximum for an average Gold plan.
Of the total $28,000 IVF bill in this example, you'll only pay $7,515 toward your medical bills, including infertility treatment. Add that to the cost of the plan — $8,112 per year, on average, for a Gold plan — and you'll pay $15,627 total for health care, between your premium and health care bills.
How much you pay depends on the specifics of your plan. Your plan might have a higher or lower annual rate and out-of-pocket maximum, which affects your total costs. The best way to know how much you'll pay is to review your plan documents and talk to your insurance company.
IUI is usually cheaper than IVF. Let's say your doctor recommends that you use injectable hormones to stimulate ovulation, and then you go through a round of IUI to try to get pregnant. This ends up costing $3,000 per month, and you need treatment for three months. Your total bill comes out to $9,000.
Without insurance, or if your insurance doesn't cover IUI, you'll pay the full $9,000. But with a standard Gold plan, you'll pay $7,515 yourself, plus the cost of your insurance plan.
IUI cost with insurance
Your cost | |
|---|---|
| Annual insurance rate | $8,112 |
| Out-of-pocket maximum | $7,515 |
| Maximum annual cost for health care | $15,627 |
Annual rate, deductibles and out-of-pocket maximum for an average Gold plan.
Your costs depend on your specific plan's coverage and features. Always review your plan and talk with an insurance agent to understand how much you have to pay.
Frequently asked questions
Can I purchase infertility insurance?
You can't buy a separate "infertility insurance" plan. However, some insurance plans cover infertility treatments such as medications, egg or sperm freezing, and IVF. Coverage depends on the specific plan you choose and whether or not your state requires the coverage.
Does insurance cover IVF?
Some insurance plans cover IVF. In New York, if you work for an employer with more than 100 employees, your insurance has to cover up to three cycles of IVF if you meet the requirements. Additionally, 20 other states and Washington, D.C., all require coverage for infertility, although the specifics vary. If you live in a state where coverage isn't required, it's unlikely that you'll find a plan with IVF coverage unless it's offered through your job.
Which insurance covers infertility?
The best companies for infertility insurance include Blue Cross Blue Shield, Kaiser Permanente and Ambetter. However, coverage depends largely on where you live and the specific plan you buy. Always read coverage documents carefully before you commit to a plan, and talk to the insurance company if you aren't sure what's covered.
Methodology and sources
Average rates, deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums and plan details come from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) public use files and from state-run health insurance marketplace websites. Rates are averages for a 40-year-old with a Gold plan unless another age or plan tier is mentioned.
Because infertility care can be expensive, it's likely that patients will reach their out-of-pocket maximum. The best companies and specific plan recommendations were chosen based on an analysis of rates and out-of-pocket maximum levels. Network type, deductibles and customer satisfaction were also taken into consideration.
The recommended plans are only available in the state mentioned, and coverage for specific infertility treatments will vary. When looking for a specific coverage, always research plans carefully and talk to an insurance representative from the company before you buy.
Other sources include The Bump, KFF, Mayo Clinic, the National Library of Medicine, the New York Department of Financial Services and Planned Parenthood.
About the Author
Insurance Writer
Cate Deventer is a ValuePenguin writer who specializes in health insurance, Medicare, auto and home insurance. She's been a licensed insurance agent since 2011.
She started her insurance career working as a customer service agent for State Farm. She later moved to an independent agency, where she worked with several insurance companies and hundreds of clients. She quoted policies, filed claims and answered insurance questions. In 2021, she pivoted her career and began writing about insurance for Bankrate. She moved to ValuePenguin in 2023 and began writing about health insurance and Medicare.
Cate has a passion for helping readers choose insurance to fit their needs. She enjoys knowing that her research and knowledge help people choose insurance products that make a positive difference in their lives.
How insurance helped Cate
Cate used her health insurance knowledge to navigate a surgery in 2023. Understanding how her policy worked let her focus on recovery instead of worrying about bills.
Expertise
- Health insurance
- Medicare & Medicaid
- Auto insurance
- Home insurance
- Life insurance
Credentials
- Licensed Life, Accident & Health Insurance Agent
- Licensed Property & Casualty Insurance Agent
Referenced by
- CBS
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Education
- BA, Theatre, Purdue University
- BA, English, Indiana University
Editorial note: The content of this article is based on the author's opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.
