Best Fertility Insurance Companies

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more.

Finding healthcare insurance that covers fertility treatment can be time-consuming and confusing. Policies differ according to state law, and even companies that provide coverage may limit it to diagnosing fertility problems rather than treating the issue.

According to the Center for Disease Control, infertility is a common problem. About 9% of men and 11% of women of reproductive age in the United States have experienced fertility problems. Despite the need for fertility assistance, costs are high and inaccessible to many.

If you are considering fertility treatment, we determined the best fertility insurance options by comparing the largest fertility insurance companies over a range of criteria. Our analysis compared 11 top companies based on reputation, premium pricing, network size, breadth of coverage and options, policy terms, maximum out-of-pocket expenses, availability, limitations, and third-party ratings (including J.D. Power, and AM Best). Continue reading to find out the top picks for fertility treatment insurance.

Best Fertility Insurance Companies

Best Overall: United Healthcare
Best for Budget Coverage: Cigna
Best for Multiple Rounds of Treatment: Blue Cross Blue Shield
Best for Additional Resources: Aetna

Best Overall : United Healthcare

Get a Quote

Why We Chose It: United Healthcare is our overall pick for fertility insurance because of its expansive network, solid reputation, and coverage for infertility services, including ovulation induction, insemination, and assisted reproductive technologies.

Pros

Available in all 50 states
Telehealth available
Online quotations
Good reputation
Extensive provider network
Offers smartphone app that integrates with medical records

Cons

Infertility treatments likely limited to 20 mandated states
IVF may not be covered
Not available in some counties
More expensive than some competitors

For couples trying to conceive, having an insurer's safety net that covers infertility treatments is invaluable. United Healthcare took our position as the overall fertility insurance choice with its giant provider network, supreme reputation, and coverage for a range of infertility treatments.

United Healthcare has a network of more than 1.3 million doctors and 6,500 hospitals and other facilities nationwide, including in the 20 states with mandated fertility insurance coverage laws. They have an A rating for financial stability from AM Best and are rated 4.0 or better out of a maximum of 5 for six of its health insurance plans in the National Committee for Quality Assurance ratings.

You can find a quote and purchase a plan on United's online portal or the ACA Marketplace. Offerings begin with the basic bronze plan through to comprehensive platinum level coverage. The deductible is $3,600 for Bronze Plan, and the maximum out-of-pocket cost for Platinum coverage is $5,000 individual and $10,000 for a family.

You'll have to wait for an enrollment period to join one of United's ACA plans, which could delay your process. As with all marketplace plans, coverage does not max out, you can't be excluded for pre-existing medical conditions, and there are no upper age limits.

Depending on the plan you opt for, it may include prescription coverage. You can customize your plan with additional dental or vision care, critical illness, hospitalization, travel, and other riders. Discounts apply if you purchase add-on riders.

United Healthcare covers women to age 44 for ovulation induction, insemination procedures, and assisted reproductive technologies (ART). It also covers medical services to diagnose infertility and procedures to correct a physical issue causing infertility, for example, a pelvic mass or pituitary lesion.

The following services are excluded from coverage:

Cryopreservation of the fertilized embryos
Donor eggs
Donor sperm
Host uterus
Oocyte preservation
Ovum transplants
Ovum or ovum bank charges
Sperm or sperm bank charges

Note that the laws surrounding fertility insurance are complicated and location-dependent. It is essential to check any documentation before choosing a plan. For example, in 20 states, insurance providers, including United Healthcare, must cover IVF treatment.

Best for Budget Coverage : Cigna

Get a Quote

Why We Chose It: Our top budget pick is Cigna because they offer affordable options, and some plans even cover typically excluded services like elective egg freezing and storage.

Pros

Economical pricing
Online quotations
Large provider network
Rated A for financial stability with AM Best

Cons

Only available in 13 states
May not be able to combine al riders with each policy type

Cigna is a global provider, has an extensive network and portfolio of offerings, and covers infertility treatment with reasonable monthly premiums, which is why they took our top budget spot.

According to quotes from the Cigna website, Bronze ACA policies (in areas where Cigna is available) start at $300 with a $6,500 deductible and $8,550 maximum out-of-pocket. Coverage doesn’t max out, and the typical ACA rules apply. Note that prices may change based on where you live.

Cigna policyholders are covered for diagnostic testing to determine why a couple is infertile, along with infertility treatment services. These may include ovulation-inducing medications, ovulation monitoring studies, procedures to remove obstructions in the fallopian tubes, assisted embryo hatching, semen analysis, endocrine treatments, sperm extraction, and other services.

The Cigna Choice Fund with HSA also covers elective egg freezing and storage but is usually limited to group insurance. And since trying to conceive can be stressful, Cigna members may enjoy the Healthy Rewards program, which provides discounts on massages and other wellness programs.

Plans typically exclude services to reverse voluntary sterilization, donor charges, surrogate fees, ovulation, and pregnancy tests.

Best for Multiple Rounds of Treatment : Blue Cross Blue Shield

Get a Quote

Why We Chose It: With a countrywide network and more generous fertility coverage than most, Blue Cross Blue Shield is our best for multiple rounds of treatment.

Pros

May cover up to 8 total cycles of IVF
An expansive network of healthcare providers
Available in all 50 states

Cons

May not be able to buy online
Navigating the various company websites can be confusing

The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) provides health insurance to over 107 million through its 36 separate companies spanning every state. Some BCBSA companies exceed the mandated three rounds of IVF and may cover up to eight total cycles, making it an obvious choice for best for multiple treatment rounds.

Most independent BCBSA companies have an AM Best financial strength rating of A (Excellent). The main website redirects you to your local provider when you input your ZIP Code. In most locations, you can choose from ACA plans from bronze through to platinum. Precisely what each plan covers depends on location and state mandates.

The deductible for the bronze plan is $6,300 for individual coverage and $12,600 for family coverage; the out-of-pocket maximum is $7,000 and $14,000 for single and family coverage, respectively. Standard ACA rules apply for waiting times and no exclusions for pre-existing health conditions.

You can generally use the BCBSA website or Marketplace to join, although some smaller BCBSA companies require that you contact a local agent. Finding information about policy coverage can be tricky because of the multiple smaller companies involved and the fact that data is location-dependent. BCBSA may cover infertility diagnostic testing for men and women, infertility drugs including hormones, and artificial means of conception.

It's important to check individual policy details as coverage differs considerably.

Best for Additional Resources : Aetna

Get a Quote

Why We Chose It: Aetna is our choice for additional resources as it provides online tools and information about fertility treatments, and boasts an Institute of Excellence (IOE) infertility network.

Pros

IOE providers
Simple search to find endocrinologists and specialists
Helpful hotline and information resources
Nationwide availability

Cons

Excludes some treatments for women over 40 years old
Average customer satisfaction

Aetna has an excellent reputation and customer service standing, which, coupled with its Institute of Excellence infertility network providing high-quality care and outstanding performance, made it an easy choice as best for additional resources.

Aetna plans may cover diagnostic infertility services such as laboratory studies, imaging studies, biopsies, and physical examinations. Treatments include hormone management, injectable endocrine therapies, surgical interventions, and artificial insemination. Depending on location, plans may cover IVF.

Exclusions include treatments for women with natural menopause aged 40 or older, and treatments considered experimental, such as stem cell therapy, and some sperm function tests.

You can find IOE infertility services by using the Aetna search tool. These providers have demonstrated high levels of success in infertility care and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Aetna's industry rankings are superb. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) repeatedly rank it highly in annual star ratings, and it has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). It also has a financial strength rating of A (Excellent) by AM Best.

Final Verdict

Undergoing fertility treatment can be emotionally and financially draining, and suitable fertility insurance can remove some stress. Because of the different state laws regarding fertility coverage, it’s essential to review policy wording carefully to see if it covers the treatments you need.

Thanks to its expansive network and generous coverage for infertility services, our top pick is United Healthcare. However, you may find the premiums pricey and prefer our top budget pick, Cigna. It has affordable options and plans that even cover services like elective egg freezing and storage.

If standard treatment coverage seems meager, or you want to make sure you have enough coverage for multiple treatments, Blue Cross Blue Shield is a sound choice. It covers up to eight rounds of IVF compared to the standard three.

Finally, we chose Aetna as the best for additional resources, thanks to its range of online tools and access to the Institute of Excellence infertility network.

Compare Providers

Best Fertility Insurance
Insurance provider	Nationwide Availability	Monthly Premiums*
United Healthcare Best Overall	Yes	$500
Cigna Best for Budget	No, only available in 13 states	$300
Blue Cross Blue Shield Best for Multiple Rounds of Treatment	Yes	$400
Aetna Best for Additional Services	Yes	$0 + $148.50

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Fertility Insurance Used For?

Many people struggle to become pregnant without assistance and need fertility treatments. This can be due to infertility or because the person is in a same-sex relationship or single. Fertility insurance helps cover the cost of conceiving a child for people who cannot do so naturally.

Precisely what fertility insurance covers depends on the individual policy and the location. Coverage may include the following treatments:

Taking medicine to encourage regular ovulation
Using hormones to stimulate ovulation or improve fertility in men
Surgery to remove blockages in the fallopian tubes, uterus, or epididymis
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) to pass sperm into the uterus
In vitro fertilization (IVF), which fertilizes an egg outside the body and then transfers it to the uterus
Egg and sperm donation

The laws surrounding fertility insurance are complicated and may be unique to a particular state. For example, in Utah, insurers who provide maternity benefits must also provide services for adoption and infertility treatments. In Minnesota, fertility drugs specifically used to enhance fertility are not covered.

Anyone looking for fertility insurance coverage should determine the state laws in their location and the individual company’s coverage.

How Much Does Fertility Insurance Cost?

Fertility insurance comes under the umbrella of general health insurance policies. If you want to enroll in a health plan, there will be associated costs. For example, monthly premiums for health insurance start at around $300 per month for basic coverage, which increases to $2000 per month for extensive coverage.

When you attend an appointment for covered fertility services, you’ll need to contribute to the cost. This can be a set amount copay such as $25 for a doctor’s visit or coinsurance, which is a percentage of the total, typically around 20%.

Each year you will need to pay a certain amount of money before the health insurance begins to pay. This is called the deductible. Some insurance policies may have a zero deductible, especially at the more pricey end. With the basic policies, you may be expected to pay around $7,000 before coverage begins.

The costs involved in infertility treatment are incredibly variable and can be expensive, depending on the services required. For this reason, many insurers shy away from providing coverage unless mandated.

The Kaiser Family Foundation states that the average cost for successful IVF treatment with a donor egg could cost more than $72,000. By comparison, IUI is much less costly at around $300 to $1,000 without insurance.

Because of the high costs involved, carefully check what your cost-sharing amount would be in the policy documentation.

Are Any Services Excluded From Coverage?

Policy exclusions depend on location and the mandates that apply in that state. Twenty states have passed fertility insurance coverage laws: Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia.

Most of these states include coverage for IVF treatment. However, in California, Louisiana, Montana, and West Virginia, IVF is typically excluded, as is intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT).

Bear in mind that you may be covered to diagnose but not treat infertility. Even if there is IVF coverage, it may not include cryopreservation and storage for the embryos. Most policies, independent of location, exclude services that involve sperm or egg donors, surrogacy, and treatment to reverse voluntary sterilization.

Can You Be Denied Coverage for Health Reasons?

The Affordable Care Act states that people cannot be denied coverage for pre-existing health conditions. Therefore, if you buy a Marketplace ACA-mandated health insurance plan, you cannot be denied coverage for health reasons.

This does not apply to short-term health insurance or other non-ACA policies, which have different rules. With these policies, you may be denied coverage or charged more for a policy if you have certain health conditions.

Will Insurance Cover Multiple Rounds of Treatment?

Insurance policies in the 20 mandated states must cover three cycles of IVF. This includes medications to prepare the ovaries for egg collection if the intent is to use a fresh embryo for transfer. If the plan is to use a frozen embryo for IVF, insurance must cover medication for endometrial preparation.

If you opt for intrauterine insemination, your coverage limits may be different. Since IUI is less invasive and less costly, you might be able to receive more treatments than with IVF. Check with your insurance provider for limits and coverage options.

Methodology

To compile our roundup, we evaluated 11 companies that offer fertility insurance before selecting the category leaders. Companies that offered a range of fertility diagnostics and treatments carried more weight in our analysis.

We also looked at industry rankings from AM Best regarding financial stability, the Better Business Bureau for client satisfaction, and consumer intelligence data from JD Power to establish their industry standing.

Most importantly, we reviewed the company’s reputation and portfolio of policies. Other considerations were the network’s size, availability nationwide, policy terms, premium costs, and out-of-pocket expenses.

Mom smiling at newborn at hospital — Image taken by Mayte Torres / Getty Images

Article Sources

Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.