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The Average Cost of Artificial Insemination

The cost of artificial insemination can vary depending on a variety of factors including the fertility of the mother and father, the health of the mother and father, the needs of the couple and, in many cases, luck. It is hard to predict the costs associated with treatment without knowing the full range of factors that affect price. You must undergo a thorough medical examination with an experienced reproductive doctor for an accurate estimate, but with some understanding of your needs, you can enter equipped with a reasonable approximation.

  1. Attempts

    • One of the biggest factors influencing the cost of artificial insemination is the number of attempts that will be necessary before you become pregnant. Depending on the health and fertility of both the mother and father, the rate of success ranges between about 10 and 20 percent, meaning 5 to 10 treatments may be necessary before a successful pregnancy. Depending on the clinic, each treatment can cost between $300 and $500. You should anticipate spending between $1,500 and $5,000 with basic requirements.

    Intrauterine Insemination

    • If you are considering artificial insemination due to fertility complications, it may be necessary to use intrauterine insemination (IUI) rather than the typical intracervical insemination. This process involves placing the sperm directly into the fallopian tubes. With this procedure, doctors will use a method called "sperm washing," in which the sperm cells are separated from the semen. This method is more expensive, costing about $100 more per treatment, but also has a greater rate of success and may, therefore, require fewer treatments.

    In Vitro Fertilization

    • For certain types of infertility, in vitro fertilization (IVF) may be required. Doctors who use IVF, which literally means fertilization in a test tube, will combine the egg and sperm and then implant a number of embryos into the gestational carrier. A single cycle is generally much more expensive and can cost $9,500 or more. Many clinics will offer a money-back guarantee plan that covers multiple IVF treatments and refunds your payment if you are not able to become pregnant. These packages can run between $16,000 and $32,000.

    Preimplementation Genetic Diagnosis

    • Couples who suffer from severe types of infertility; fear certain types of genetic diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia or Tay-Sachs disease; or otherwise wish to determine some genetic outcomes for their offspring will also require preimplementation genetic diagnosis (PGD). After a treatment of IVF, a doctor will remove a cell from each of the resultant embryos and analyze the embryos' chromosomes. This will allow the doctor to select only those embryos that are free of disease or otherwise match the parents' genetic selection. PGD adds an average $3,550 on top of the cost of IVF treatment.

    Insurance

    • Some insurance plans will cover artificial insemination, IUI, IVF or PGD in certain cases. Generally, the procedures must be done as a result of genuine medical infertility. Not all insurance carriers will fund treatments, and those that do may not pay in your specific situation. You should consult with your fertility doctor and insurance company for more information before beginning treatment.

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