Cost Considerations with Artificial Insemination

If you are just beginning your infertility journey, your reproductive specialist may recommend artificial insemination (AI) as the one of the first steps in fertility treatment.  AI procedures are less costly than other assisted reproductive technologies and most woman and couples prefer to start with a less invasive procedure to help them get pregnant.

Artificial insemination is a fairly simple procedure that involves placing semen into the uterus using a thin catheter that is inserted through the vagina.  Sperm from a partner or a donor is placed into a syringe which is attached to the already placed catheter.  Through the syringe, the sperm can be injected directly into the uterus.  AI provides extra help to ensure the sperm meets the egg to be fertilized.

For those women and couples considering any type of infertility treatment, including artificial insemination, determining the costs upfront is often more than a little difficult.  You will find that many clinics do not state specific costs associated with any type of infertility treatment on their website.  Posted financial info is mainly about insurance concerns instead of the expected costs associated with the treatment.

Often the overall costs of infertility treatment are difficult to estimate.  The costs associated with any AI treatment depend on the number of cycles needed to get pregnant.  In general, the average cost is somewhere between $350 and $500 for each insemination attempt.  Considering a success rate of 10-20%, multiple attempts may be necessary to achieve conception.  Several considerations factor into the success rate, including the cause of infertility and the age of the individual, therefore success rates vary depending on the individual patient. There are cost effective locations like link India where you can get it done at affordable prices.Just to recommend fertility clinics in Mumbai are best for it

There are additional costs associated with artificial insemination and it is best to plan in advance for these potential charges.  Before the actual procedure is performed, some reproductive specialists require testing to verify that the fallopian tubes are not blocked.  Several hundred dollars may be charged for this testing.  If an intrauterine insemination IUI procedure is performed, there will be an additional charge (approximately $100) for sperm washing.  Progress is often monitored via an ultrasound, which can cost as much as $300.  Fertility drugs may be prescribed by your doctor; depending on the particular medication, medication costs can range from $100 to as much as several thousand dollars.

Because fertility insurance coverage is not required to be universal, be sure to read the fine print on your insurance plan before you schedule any artificial insemination procedure.  You will need to know what procedures and testing, if any, your insurance provider actually covers regarding infertility treatment.  Many employers are beginning to offer coverage for different infertility treatments and procedures and, in fact, fifteen states now have infertility mandates.  Of course, each state requirement is different, therefore make sure you know what your state is requiring to be included regarding infertility insurance and benefits.  Information for each state is available online.

After reviewing your medical insurance policy, if you still are not sure what is and isn’t covered, talk to the billing specialist at your doctor’s office or clinic.  With their experience, they can often help you verify your benefits.  In addition, you should request approval from your insurance company before you start fertility treatment.  Make sure that they provide a written preauthorization.

If your insurance does not cover infertility treatments, you will need to be prepared to pay all charges out-of-pocket.  Ask if there are any savings programs available for self-pay patients.  Whether you have medical insurance that covers fertility treatments or not, it makes sense to determine all of the costs associated with your treatment, along with the amount you will be responsible to pay, before your treatment is scheduled.