How Much Does IVF Cost in Illinois?

The cost of in vitro fertilization (IVF) in Illinois, including Chicago, typically ranges from $12,000 to $25,000 per cycle, depending on several factors. These include the fertility clinic you choose, your specific treatment needs, medications, and additional services such as Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT), embryo freezing, and Frozen Embryo Transfers (FET). 

In this article, we’ll break down the key components that contribute to IVF costs in Illinois, explore resources to make the process more affordable, and discuss options to reduce treatment expenses by considering clinics in other parts of the state or neighboring regions. 

What Contributes to the Cost of IVF in Illinois and Chicago? 

A single IVF cycle in Illinois, including Chicago, typically costs a minimum of around $12,000 and can exceed $25,000 when including the cost of medications. 

The primary reason for this cost variance is the pricing differences among clinics for similar services. 

Factors such as clinic location, reputation, and size can also play significant roles in these differences. Clinics in affluent areas, such as those in major cities like Chicago, tend to have higher costs than clinics in smaller towns across Illinois. 

For this reason, it’s essential to carefully compare clinic prices to understand what is included. 

Keep in mind that your total cost will vary based on your unique needs and preferences. Factors like medication regimens, genetic testing, fresh or frozen embryo transfers, and personalized treatment approaches are all variables that will impact your final cost to “bring home a baby.” 

That said, there are essential IVF services that all patients will need to complete an IVF cycle. Let’s take a closer look.  

Required Services for IVF   

Though the specifics and costs of an IVF cycle can vary significantly between patients, certain essential services are required for everyone undergoing treatment. These include: 

• Monitoring Appointments: Necessary for tracking the growth and development of eggs prior to retrieval and assessing the uterine lining before transfer and implantation. These appointments ensure that procedures are performed at the optimal time. 

• Egg Retrieval: The procedure to collect mature eggs from the ovaries. 

• Anesthesia: Administered during egg retrieval to ensure patient comfort. 

• Fertilization: Involves fertilizing the eggs in a lab. This can be done through conventional IVF (mixing sperm with eggs in a petri dish) or ICSI (injecting sperm directly into the egg). 

• Embryo Culture and Development: Embryos are nurtured in the lab for 3-7 days to ensure proper development before transfer. 

• Embryo Transfer: While fresh embryo transfers are typically included in standard IVF packages, frozen transfers (FET) often incur additional costs. The decision between fresh and frozen transfers depends on factors like the patient’s health and the specific treatment strategy. 

These procedures and services are the foundation of any IVF cycle.  

Medication Costs  

Clinics often exclude the cost of medications from their advertised IVF prices for two main reasons: 

• Billing practices: Medications are typically billed through a pharmacy rather than the clinic itself. 

• Marketing strategy: Since medications can be quite expensive, excluding them allows clinics to advertise a lower and more competitive base price for treatment. 

Don’t be misled—medications will significantly impact the overall cost of IVF. They typically add an additional $2,000 to $7,000 per cycle. We’ll dive deeper into medication expenses in the section on add-on costs and services. 

Additional Costs Not Included in Base IVF Price  

Beyond the standard essential services included above, additional services may be necessary for many patients and can add $5,000 to $15,000 per cycle. These add-on services include:  

IVF Medications: As mentioned above, though not technically required for IVF, medications are used in over 99% of IVF cycles and account for one of the largest costs associated with IVF treatment. Most clients can expect to pay between $2,000-$7,000 in medication costs per cycle. Larger clinics like CNY negotiate special rates with pharmacies and pass the savings along to their patients in the form of bundled IVF packages.   

Cryopreservation and Storage: Egg or embryo freezing and the first year of storage usually cost an extra $600, with an annual storage fee after that.  

Frozen Embryo Transfers (FET): An essential step for patients with extra embryos or those whose uterine lining isn’t ready for a fresh transfer. FET costs range from $995 to $4,000.  

Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT): PGT helps screen embryos for genetic conditions and chromosomal abnormalities before transfer. The average cost is around $4,500, which includes fees for both the biopsy and lab testing. PGT often requires freezing embryos, leading to additional FET costs.  

Other Factors That Contribute to the Cost of IVF 

Multiple IVF Cycles: Achieving a healthy pregnancy often requires more than one IVF cycle. Data from the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) shows only 26% of patients succeed on their first attempt. For most—around 74%—two to three cycles are typically needed to achieve a successful pregnancy and live birth. 

Age: Age significantly impacts success rates, with women over 35 having lower chances of success during their first cycle. This decline is due to reduced egg quality and quantity as women age. 

Lower Cost IVF for Illinois and Chicago Residents 

For Illinois residents, including those in Chicago, accessing more affordable IVF often means traveling out of state to one of CNY Fertility’s eight full-service clinics, while monitoring at a local Illinois clinic.  

For example, CNY Fertility’s IVF package, including medications, is priced at $5,769. This package includes: 

• Egg retrieval with anesthesia 

• ICSI fertilization 

• Embryo culture and development 

• Assisted hatching (AH) to prepare embryos for implantation 

• Fresh embryo transfer 

• Cryopreservation of extra embryos for future use 

• Standard medication protocol 

CNY Fertility stands out by including services like ICSI, anesthesia, and assisted hatching in their base price—features that other clinics often charge extra for. Additionally, CNY excludes unnecessary elements from their plans, offering more flexibility for patients to customize treatment and save on costs. 

Additional Costs for CNY Travel Patients 

• Monitoring: Local monitoring is available for $995 and is often covered by insurance. Alternatively, remote management costs $150, which can be combined with local monitoring (approximately $1,500). 

• Optional Add-ons: CNY offers affordable services like Frozen Embryo Transfers (FET) and Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT), often priced significantly lower than the national average and local Illinois rates. 

With its affordable pricing, high-quality care, and travel-friendly options, CNY Fertility helps patients save thousands of dollars compared to average IVF costs in Illinois. Even with travel expenses like airfare and accommodations, many patients complete their IVF journey at CNY for under $10,000. 

Start Your Journey 

Learn more about traveling to one of CNY Fertility’s eight national locations. Use their cost calculator to get a personalized estimate tailored to your specific needs and schedule a consultation to begin your family-building journey today. 

Does Insurance Cover IVF in Illinois? 

Yes, Illinois has a state mandate requiring insurance coverage for fertility treatments, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), under specific conditions.  

Key details include:  

• Insurance plans that provide pregnancy-related benefits must also cover infertility treatments, including IVF. 

• To qualify for coverage, individuals typically must have a medical diagnosis of infertility, generally defined as the inability to conceive after 12 months of unprotected intercourse (or 6 months for women over 35). 

• Certain plans, such as those from religious organizations or self-funded employer plans, may be exempt from this mandate. Additionally, specific coverage limits, such as the number of IVF cycles, may apply. 

• Even with insurance, patients may face costs such as deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. Some services, like cryopreservation or genetic testing, may not be fully covered. 

How Much Does IVF Cost in Illinois: The Takeaway 

The cost of in vitro fertilization (IVF) in Illinois, including Chicago, varies widely, influenced by clinic location, reputation, patient-specific needs, and additional services. With base IVF costs typically ranging from $12,000 to $25,000—and add-ons like medications, genetic testing, and embryo freezing potentially adding $5,000 to $15,000 per cycle—careful financial planning is essential. 

For Illinois residents, exploring options like CNY Fertility offers a more affordable alternative without compromising on quality care. With packages starting at $5,769 and flexible, travel-friendly options, CNY can help make fertility treatment more accessible. 

Whether you choose a local clinic or consider out-of-state options, understanding your costs and insurance coverage can empower you to make the best decision for your family-building journey.