The average cost of fertility preservation for female cancer patients

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The number of female cancer patients seeking to preserve their fertility through oocyte and embryo cryopreservation has dramatically increased over the years. However, available cost data appears to be limited to the average cost of a full cycle of in vitro fertilization, which is generally more expensive than fertility preservation because it includes the costs associated with the embryo transfer. We undertook this data analysis to determine the average cost of fertility preservation through oocyte and embryo cryopreservation for cancer patients in the United States.DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of a large, internal computerized database.MATERIALS AND METHODS: LIVESTRONG's database of 154 reproductive centers participating in the Sharing Hope Financial Assistance Program for Women as of December 2009 was used to analyze the normal costs of the following customary services: consultations, the procedures necessary to consummate the retrieval of eggs and/or the production of an embryo(s), and freezing services. The costs do not include: medications, some laboratory work, ICSI, PGD, long-term storage, future conception, prenatal care, or travel.RESULTS: Of the 154 reproductive clinic locations participating, 113 (73%) offer oocyte cryopreservation and 154 (100%) offer embryo cryopreservation for cancer patients. The average cost of oocyte cryopreservation is $7,791 with a low of $3,810 and a high of $12,000, both in the South. The average cost of embryo cryopreservation is $9,286 with a low of $5,686 in the Midwest and a high of $15,302 in the South.CONCLUSION: The average cost for a female cancer patient to preserve her fertility fertility through egg or embryo cryopreservation is $8,655. The average cost of embryo cryopreservation is $1,495 (17%) more than that of oocyte cryopreservation. Costs vary greatly by center and geographically. While professionals and industry have generously donated time and product to cancer patients undergoing fertility preservation treatments, cost remains a barrier to access. OBJECTIVE: The number of female cancer patients seeking to preserve their fertility through oocyte and embryo cryopreservation has dramatically increased over the years. However, available cost data appears to be limited to the average cost of a full cycle of in vitro fertilization, which is generally more expensive than fertility preservation because it includes the costs associated with the embryo transfer. We undertook this data analysis to determine the average cost of fertility preservation through oocyte and embryo cryopreservation for cancer patients in the United States. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of a large, internal computerized database. MATERIALS AND METHODS: LIVESTRONG's database of 154 reproductive centers participating in the Sharing Hope Financial Assistance Program for Women as of December 2009 was used to analyze the normal costs of the following customary services: consultations, the procedures necessary to consummate the retrieval of eggs and/or the production of an embryo(s), and freezing services. The costs do not include: medications, some laboratory work, ICSI, PGD, long-term storage, future conception, prenatal care, or travel. RESULTS: Of the 154 reproductive clinic locations participating, 113 (73%) offer oocyte cryopreservation and 154 (100%) offer embryo cryopreservation for cancer patients. The average cost of oocyte cryopreservation is $7,791 with a low of $3,810 and a high of $12,000, both in the South. The average cost of embryo cryopreservation is $9,286 with a low of $5,686 in the Midwest and a high of $15,302 in the South. CONCLUSION: The average cost for a female cancer patient to preserve her fertility fertility through egg or embryo cryopreservation is $8,655. The average cost of embryo cryopreservation is $1,495 (17%) more than that of oocyte cryopreservation. Costs vary greatly by center and geographically. While professionals and industry have generously donated time and product to cancer patients undergoing fertility preservation treatments, cost remains a barrier to access.