Does Insurance Cover Freezing Eggs? What You Need to Know

If you’re interested in preserving your fertility for medical or personal reasons, egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, is probably on your radar. However, the high cost of egg freezing can be a significant concern, and you may be wondering if insurance will help cover the expenses. 

In this article, we’ll explore the factors that influence insurance coverage for egg freezing, including state mandates, employer benefits, and how to navigate your plan’s fertility coverage.  

Top Reasons to Freeze Eggs 

Before jumping into the details of insurance coverage, let’s run down why egg freezing is a valuable option for preserving fertility for personal, medical, or social reasons. 

• Future Family Planning: Many people choose to delay childbirth for personal or professional reasons. Since fertility declines in the mid-to-late 30s, freezing eggs preserves reproductive potential. 

• Cancer Treatments: Chemotherapy and radiation can impact fertility. Freezing eggs beforehand protects future family-building options. 

• Gender Transition: Hormonal treatments for transitioning often cause infertility, making egg freezing an essential step for preserving reproductive potential. 

• Premature Ovarian Failure (POF): Women with genetic risks like Turner or Fragile X syndrome can freeze eggs early to safeguard fertility. 

• Surgical Risks: Ovarian damage or removal due to surgery can be mitigated by freezing eggs before the procedure. 

Egg freezing empowers individuals to take control of their reproductive futures. 

Cost of Egg Freezing 

The national average for the cost of egg freezing typically ranges from $6,000 to $10,000, with many clinics charging up to $20,000 per cycle, when including medications.  

CNY Fertility offers comprehensive egg-freezing packages starting at just $3,995, including retrieval, vitrification, and the first year of storage. This transparent and cost-effective pricing makes egg freezing accessible to more individuals, without compromising on quality or care. Schedule a consultation today.  

States That Mandate Insurance Coverage for Egg Freezing 

As of now, states with mandates that may cover egg freezing are typically tied to infertility treatments or medically necessary fertility preservation, such as for cancer patients undergoing treatment.  

The following states have mandates that include some coverage for fertility preservation (including egg freezing) under specific conditions: 

Connecticut: Covers fertility preservation for individuals undergoing medically necessary treatments that may impair fertility. 

Delaware: Includes fertility preservation as part of its infertility insurance coverage mandate. 

Illinois: Mandates insurance coverage for fertility preservation for patients undergoing medical treatments like chemotherapy. 

Maryland: Covers fertility preservation for individuals undergoing medical treatments that may cause infertility. 

New Hampshire: Requires coverage for fertility preservation under medically necessary circumstances. 

New Jersey: Includes coverage for fertility preservation for patients undergoing treatments that may impact fertility. 

New York: Mandates fertility preservation coverage for individuals at risk of infertility due to medical treatments. 

Rhode Island: Requires coverage for fertility preservation when medically necessary. 

Utah: Covers fertility preservation for individuals undergoing medical treatments that may cause infertility. 

Remember that the details of coverage, eligibility requirements, and exemptions vary by state and insurance provider. Always check with your insurance plan to confirm specifics about egg-freezing coverage in your state. 

Insurance Providers Offering Coverage for Egg Freezing 

While most insurance providers do not cover elective egg freezing for social reasons. At the same time, some cover fertility preservation for medical reasons, such as cancer treatment or other health conditions that threaten fertility. Below is an overview of insurance providers that may cover egg freezing under specific circumstances: 

Aetna: Covers egg freezing for medical reasons (e.g., chemotherapy, radiation) when deemed medically necessary. Elective egg freezing for non-medical reasons is typically not covered. 

Cigna: May cover fertility preservation for patients undergoing medical treatments that affect fertility coverage varies depending on the employer and specific policy. 

Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS): Some state affiliates (e.g., BCBS of Illinois, New York) cover medically necessary fertility preservation. Coverage depends on state mandates and individual employer plans. 

UnitedHealthcare: May provide coverage for egg freezing when medically necessary. Specific fertility benefits vary widely by plan. 

Kaiser Permanente: Offers coverage for medically necessary fertility preservation in some cases. Coverage details depend on the region and plan. 

Progyny: Specializes in fertility benefits for employers and often includes egg freezing as part of its packages. Coverage is employer-dependent and typically includes both medical and elective egg freezing. 

WINFertility: Partners with employers and health plans to offer comprehensive fertility benefits, including egg freezing. Coverage varies by employer. 

Anthem: Provides coverage for medically necessary fertility preservation under certain plans. Elective egg freezing may not be included. 

Factors Affecting Coverage of Egg Freezing

Medical necessity: Many providers cover egg freezing for patients undergoing treatments (e.g., chemotherapy, radiation) that may compromise fertility. 

State mandates: Some states (e.g., New York, Illinois) require insurance to cover medically necessary fertility preservation. 

Employer-sponsored plans: Companies with robust fertility benefits may include coverage for egg freezing through their insurance plans. 

Add-On Benefits: Some employers offer enhanced fertility benefits through providers like Progyny or WINFertility. 

How to Verify Insurance Coverage for Egg Freezing 

• Review our Insurance policy and check for fertility or fertility preservation benefits. 

• Contact your insurance provider to confirm whether egg freezing is covered and under what conditions. 

• Consult your employer and ask if fertility benefits, such as egg freezing, are included in your plan. 

• Work with specialists at your fertility clinic to assist with insurance verification and pre-authorization. 

Coverage is evolving, with more employers and states recognizing the importance of fertility preservation. 

Does Insurance Cover Freezing Eggs? The Takeaway 

Egg freezing is an important tool for preserving fertility, whether for medical, social, or personal reasons. While insurance coverage for egg freezing remains limited for elective procedures, it is increasingly available for medically necessary cases, especially in states with fertility preservation mandates.  

Understanding your insurance policy, state laws, and employer benefits can help you navigate the financial aspects of egg freezing. 

If you’re considering egg freezing, start by verifying your insurance benefits and exploring cost-effective options like CNY Fertility. Planning ahead and staying informed will help you take control of your reproductive future.