What Does IVF Cost in Maryland?

For residents of Maryland, in vitro fertilization (IVF) is a transformative fertility treatment that offers hope to individuals and couples struggling to conceive. However, the cost of IVF can be substantial, and understanding the factors that influence pricing is essential for planning your fertility journey. 

In this article, we’ll explore the average cost of IVF in Maryland, the key contributors to these expenses, and resources to help make the process more affordable. Whether you’re considering local clinics or exploring out-of-state options, this guide will provide the insights you need to navigate the financial aspects of IVF in Maryland. 

What Contributes to the Cost of IVF in Maryland?  

A single IVF cycle in Maryland typically costs a minimum of around $13,000 and can easily exceed $30,000 when factoring in the cost of medications and add-on services. 

The primary reason for this cost variation lies in the pricing differences among clinics for similar services. Factors such as clinic location, reputation, and size also play significant roles.  

Clinics in more metropolitan areas, such as Baltimore, or those with advanced technology and higher success rates may charge more compared to smaller or less specialized facilities. 

For this reason, it’s essential to carefully compare clinic prices to understand what is included in their base cost and ensure you’re evaluating equivalent services. 

Keep in mind that your total cost will vary based on your unique needs and preferences. Variables like medication regimens, genetic testing, fresh or frozen embryo transfers, and personalized treatment approaches all impact your final cost to achieve a successful pregnancy. 

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 in Maryland 

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

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

• Egg retrieval: The process of collecting mature eggs from the ovaries. 

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

• Fertilization: Fertilization can be done through conventional IVF, where sperm and eggs are mixed in a petri dish, or through intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), which involves 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: Fresh embryo transfers are typically included in standard IVF packages, but frozen embryo transfers (FET) often incur additional costs. The choice between fresh and frozen transfers depends on factors like the patient’s health and specific treatment strategy. 

These procedures and services form 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 separately through a pharmacy rather than the clinic itself. 

Marketing strategy: Excluding medication costs allows clinics to present a lower, more competitive base price for treatment, as medications can be a significant expense. 

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 cover more about medication expenses in the section on add-on costs and services. 

Additional Costs Not Included in Base IVF Prices 

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: “Bringing home a baby” often requires more than one IVF cycle. Data from the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) shows 50% of women under 36, and only 26% of all 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. 

The Lowest Cost Quality Care for Maryland Residents 

For Maryland residents facing the high costs of local IVF treatments, traveling out of state to one of CNY Fertility’s eight full-service clinics can offer a significantly more affordable alternative while using a local Maryland clinic for monitoring.  

For most Maryland residents CNY Fertility Syracuse, Albany, and Buffalo are convenient options, with CNY Norfolk, VA set to offer full service care in 2025.  

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 many other clinics often charge extra for.  CNY also provides flexibility for patients to customize their treatment plans to better meet their needs and reduce 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 options like Frozen Embryo Transfers (FET) and Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT), which are often priced much lower than the national average or local Delaware rates. 

Why Choose CNY Fertility? 

With its affordable pricing, high-quality care, and travel-friendly services, CNY Fertility helps patients save thousands of dollars compared to average IVF costs in Maryland.  

Even after accounting for travel expenses, including 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 national locations. Use their cost calculator to receive a personalized estimate tailored to your specific needs and schedule a consultation to begin your family-building journey today. 

Does Insurance Cover IVF in Maryland?  

Yes, Maryland has a state mandate requiring insurance coverage for infertility treatments, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), under certain conditions. Here are the key details: 

• Maryland law requires certain insurance plans to cover infertility diagnosis and treatments, including IVF. 

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

• Same-sex couples and single individuals may qualify if they meet specific criteria, such as documented unsuccessful intrauterine insemination (IUI) attempts. 

• Self-funded employer plans are not required to follow the state mandate and may not cover infertility treatments. 

• Some plans may impose limits, such as a maximum number of covered IVF cycles or exclude certain services like cryopreservation or genetic testing. 

• Religious organizations may also be exempt from the mandate. 

• Even with coverage, patients may face out-of-pocket expenses such as deductibles, copays, coinsurance, or for services not fully covered (e.g., genetic testing or storage fees). 

For accurate details about your specific insurance plan, consult your insurance provider and ask about fertility benefits under your policy. 

How Much Does IVF Cost in Maryland: The Takeaway 

The average cost of an IVF cycle in Maryland ranges from $13,000 to $30,000, with medications adding an additional $2,000 to $7,000. Understanding these costs, along with available resources like Maryland’s insurance mandate for infertility treatments, is crucial for planning your fertility journey. 

For those looking to lower expenses, traveling to CNY Fertility is a highly affordable alternative, with IVF packages starting at $5,769, including medications. With proper planning and informed decision-making, achieving your dream of parenthood in Maryland is within reach.