Mental Health and the Financial Strain of Fertility Treatments
Fertility treatments are physically and emotionally demanding — not to mention expensive. As you navigate your family-building journey, it’s important to find ways to manage the financial stress that comes with treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intrauterine insemination (IUI). Fortunately, there is support available to help you through fertility care and make it more affordable, improving your mental health in the process.
How Financing Fertility Impacts Mental Health
A single IVF cycle can range from $15,000 to $30,000, depending on the clinic and your specific medication needs. Infertility can cause significant anxiety, and according to a 2023 systematic review study: “the unreliability of treatment and financial costs associated with IVF can further escalate psychological stress.”
Coping with Fertility-Related Financial Stress
Throughout the fertility journey, aspiring parents are faced with various upfront and hidden costs. Furthermore, it may be necessary that people undergo multiple types or cycles of fertility care before achieving success. For example, many people start off trying IUI, but eventually need to transition to IVF. Others may need multiple rounds of IVF before successfully conceiving.
While avoiding these costs altogether may be impossible, there are ways to make the financial aspect of fertility care more predictable and less stressful. Here are some ways to cope with fertility-related financial stress so you can go into your treatments with confidence.
Set a Budget
If you’re undergoing fertility treatments with a partner, discuss your budget together beforehand. Be open and honest about your situation, find ways to save or cut back on unnecessary expenses, and discuss each treatment option and associated cost with your fertility team to ensure everyone is on the same page.
Be Transparent
Finances and fertility are sensitive topics, but it always helps to have a shoulder to lean on when going through something stressful. Confide in your family and friends and surround yourself with support you can count on throughout your entire fertility journey.
Check Your Insurance
As of September 2023, 21 states have passed fertility insurance coverage laws. Fifteen of these laws include IVF coverage, and 17 cover fertility preservation for medically-induced infertility. Find out if your state offers coverage, and consult your insurance company before starting treatment.
Seek Professional Financial Assistance
In a world where fertility treatment cycles are unpredictable, Bundl helps bridge the gap. Bundl helps bring peace of mind by bundling multiple treatment cycles together into one package with a reduced, up-front cost. There’s also the BUNDL with Medications package, which includes fertility medications. All Bundl packages come with an added layer of financial protection through shared risk IVF protection programs, which help protect your investment in the event treatment isn’t successful.
Save on Fertility Treatments with Bundl
Paying for fertility care can be stressful, but there are ways to save. Bundl makes IVF, IUI, and other fertility treatments more affordable so that you can focus on what matters most – growing your family. If you have questions about financing, you can speak with a Bundl expert today.
About BUNDL Blog
The BUNDL Blog features need-to-know information for all aspects of the fertility journey, including info about IVF, IUI, and affording care.