IVF clinics advertise a "base cycle" price, typically $12,000 to $15,000. That number is accurate as far as it goes. It covers the medical procedures performed at the clinic: monitoring, egg retrieval, fertilization, embryo culture, and transfer. What it does not cover is often larger than the base price itself. Medications, genetic testing, frozen embryo storage, and multiple cycles can push the real total to $20,000 to $30,000 per cycle, and many patients need more than one.
The sample quote
| Line Item | Typical Range | Often Included in Base? |
|---|---|---|
| Base IVF cycle (monitoring, retrieval, fertilization, culture, transfer) | $12,000 - $18,000 | Yes |
| Fertility medications (stimulation + trigger + support) | $3,000 - $8,000 | Almost never |
| ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) | $1,500 - $2,500 | Sometimes |
| Anesthesia (egg retrieval) | $500 - $1,000 | Usually |
| Embryo biopsy for PGT-A (genetic screening) | $2,000 - $5,000 | Never |
| Frozen embryo storage (annual) | $500 - $1,000/year | First year sometimes included |
| Frozen embryo transfer (FET) if not fresh | $3,000 - $5,000 | Never (separate cycle) |
| Pre-cycle testing (bloodwork, ultrasound, HSG, semen analysis) | $500 - $2,000 | Rarely |
| Realistic first-cycle total | $19,000 - $35,000 | Base quote covers 40-60% of actual cost |
Medications: the cost nobody quotes
Fertility medications are the largest excluded cost. A typical stimulation protocol uses injectable gonadotropins (Gonal-F, Follistim, Menopur) for 10 to 14 days, a trigger shot (Lupron, Ovidrel, or dual trigger), and progesterone support after transfer. The cash-pay cost of these medications ranges from $3,000 to $8,000 depending on dosage, protocol, and pharmacy.
The clinic does not bill for medications because the patient fills them at a specialty pharmacy. The clinic prescribes; the pharmacy bills. This is why the clinic can advertise a $12,000 base price that technically does not include $5,000 in medications: those are not the clinic's charges.
Where the Money Goes in an IVF Cycle
ASRM reports average base cycle at ~$12,400. Medications and testing push the realistic total to $20,000-$30,000. Figures illustrative.
What your IVF quote should answer
- Does the base price include ICSI? For male factor infertility, ICSI is standard. Some clinics include it; others charge $1,500 to $2,500 extra.
- Does the price include anesthesia for egg retrieval?
- What medication protocol is assumed? High-responder protocols use fewer medications (lower cost). Poor responders may need double the dosage.
- Is frozen embryo storage included for the first year? What is the annual fee after that?
- If the cycle results in embryos that are frozen (not transferred fresh), what does a FET cycle cost?
- Does the clinic offer a multi-cycle or refund program? Some charge $25,000 to $35,000 for two or three cycles with a partial refund if no live birth results.
Elsewhere in the network
The Two-Week Wait on medellinivf.co covers IVF in Medellin, where base cycle pricing starts at $3,500 to $5,500.