Infertility Insurance
Find out which infertility treatments insurance covers, how state laws differ, and what employers offer in fertility benefits.
Imagine spending thousands of dollars just for a chance to start a family, not for luxury or convenience, but for something as fundamental as the ability to have a child. For example, for millions of couples and individuals, infertility treatment is not just a choice; it is a necessity.
However, in many cases, the high costs and lack of insurance coverage make that dream feel impossible.
The good news is that infertility insurance exists. It is not just a myth. But whether you can get it depends mostly on where you live, who you work for, and what kind of health plan you have.
For some, insurance helps cover the steep costs of IVF and fertility medications. For others, those same treatments remain entirely out of reach.
The Reality of Infertility
Infertility is the inability to conceive after 12 months of regular, unprotected intercourse or after six months for women over 35. [1]
This condition affects many couples and single parents. It is usually accompanied by high costs for treatments like IVF (in vitro fertilization), which can range from anywhere between $12,000 to $20,000 per cycle.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 17.5% of the adult population, which translates to roughly 1 in 6 globally, experience infertility. [2] The prevalence of this condition varies between regions, with low-income countries hit the hardest.
This calls for an urgent increase in access to affordable, high-quality fertility care for those who need it.
So yes, infertility insurance exists, but what it actually covers is a patchwork of state laws and employer choice.
What is Infertility Insurance
Wondering what infertility insurance is. Well, this is coverage for diagnostic tests and fertility treatments like IVF, IUI and fertility medications. It depends on your specific health plan or state mandates. Certain states require insurers to offer infertility coverage.
Self-insured employers, such as large corporations, can voluntarily offer benefits nationwide because they are exempt from state mandates.
What to know about infertility insurance:
- Coverage varies depending on your health plan or your state
- Some State mandates require insurers to provide infertility coverage in their plan
- Several large companies self-insure their employees
- Coverage may be limited or denied in certain circumstances
Let’s look more closely at what infertility insurance actually pays for and what it does not.
What Does Infertility Insurance Typically Cover?
infertility insurance typically covers:
- Fertility testing and bloodwork
- Hormone treatments and ovulation medications
- Procedures like IUI and IVF
- Egg or embryo storage (though in some cases)
The insurance, however, does not cover:
- Donor sperm or eggs
- Surrogacy
- Elective egg freezing
It’s also important to note that coverage plans often have caps or cycle limits, such as a limit of up to 3 IVF rounds. Also, coverage may vary depending on medical necessity definitions.
The real challenge? Coverage varies drastically depending on where you live.
Infertility Insurance Laws by State
As of 2025, about 19 U.S states have laws requiring some form of infertility insurance coverage. However, the laws vary widely. [3]
A mandate to cover means insurers must include infertility benefits in all qualifying plans. In contrast, a mandate to offer means insurers must make such plans available, but employers can choose whether to provide them.
States like Massachusetts and Illinois have strong comprehensive laws, while Florida and Texas have no mandate at all.
Federal laws do not yet require coverage, leaving access inconsistent. Fortunately, many employers are stepping in to bridge the gap.
Employer-Provided Fertility Benefits – A Growing Trend
Major companies like Starbucks and Microsoft are increasingly offering fertility treatment benefits, even for some part-time workers, through partnerships with platforms like Progyny and Carrot Fertility.
These expanded benefits, which cover IVF, are boosting employee retention and satisfaction with overall fertility benefit enrollment growing rapidly. [4]
Bottom Line
Infertility insurance is real — but access should not depend on your zip code or job title. As awareness grows and more states and employers expand coverage, the hope of building a family is becoming more attainable for everyone. Insurance cannot guarantee a baby, but it can restore something just as precious: hope.
Sources
- World Health Organization. Infertility. World Health Organization. Published May 22, 2024. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infertility
- World Health Organization. 1 in 6 People Globally Affected by Infertility. www.who.int. Published April 4, 2023. https://www.who.int/news/item/04-04-2023-1-in-6-people-globally-affected-by-infertility
- Resolve.org. Insurance Coverage by State | RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association. RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association |. Published August 27, 2021. https://resolve.org/learn/financial-resources/insurance-coverage/insurance-coverage-by-state/
- Saft J. 6 Companies using Fertility Benefits to Attract Talent – Apryl. Progyny Global. Published May 2, 2023. Accessed October 24, 2025. https://progynyglobal.com/blog/companies-using-fertility-benefits-to-attract-top-talent/
