President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at improving access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) and reducing its high costs, which can reach up to $25,000 per cycle. The president has proposed a plan to expand IVF nationwide within 90 days, though it’s uncertain how long it will take for these changes to affect out-of-pocket expenses.
IVF treatments are already covered by insurance in at least 40 states, with many employers offering fertility benefits to their employees. Expanding access to IVF could provide vital assistance to millions of Americans struggling with infertility.
In his 2024 presidential campaign, Trump, who has been dubbed the “father of IVF,” promised to make IVF more affordable for those facing fertility challenges. However, the president has not yet revealed how these treatments will be funded, as many U.S. insurance plans do not cover infertility treatments.
While some employers offer cost-sharing benefits for assisted reproductive technologies like IVF, many Americans still face significant out-of-pocket expenses. A single IVF cycle typically costs between $12,000 and $17,000, and up to $25,000 if medications are required. It’s important to note that an IVF cycle doesn’t guarantee a live birth, often requiring multiple rounds of treatment.
The executive order emphasizes the importance of supporting American families: “Providing support, awareness, and access to affordable fertility treatments can help these families navigate their path to parenthood with hope and confidence.”
The order outlines the administration’s commitment to ensuring reliable access to IVF treatment by reducing unnecessary regulations and significantly lowering the cost of IVF procedures.
No immediate impact on IVF costs, access
IVF Access Varies by State, and Immediate Changes Are Unlikely
Access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) is not consistent across the U.S., as 22 states and Washington, D.C. have varying infertility coverage laws. States like Massachusetts and Illinois have passed laws requiring insurance companies to cover IVF treatment.
An increasing number of employers are offering fertility benefits to employees, helping to share the financial burden. Fertility insurance can assist with the costs of infertility testing, diagnostics, and treatment.
Roger Shedlin, MD, CEO of WIN, a fertility and family wellness benefits provider, noted that mandating IVF coverage by insurance companies is feasible since it’s already implemented on a state-by-state basis. He believes the executive order is a positive step, acknowledging that access to fertility care is important. “We’ve already seen state-level success in expanding IVF coverage through mandated insurance benefits — now there’s an opportunity to build on that momentum at a national scale,” he told Healthline.
However, changes in policy, whether at the state or federal level, don’t happen quickly.
Trump’s executive order sets a 90-day deadline for the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy to submit policy recommendations to protect IVF access and reduce out-of-pocket and health plan costs for IVF treatment. This means that immediate changes in IVF costs or access are unlikely. Beyond the 90-day timeline, it remains unclear when policy changes may occur.
Christy Lane, Co-Founder of Flora Fertility, a fertility insurance provider, pointed out that such changes typically take time, and the healthcare system must adapt to demand. “The ability to pay will still often prioritize who gets access,” she explained. “It is important for people to own their health outcomes through private coverage where possible, so they are not subject to shifting political outcomes that can impact their healthcare access.”
Lane also noted that proposals like Trump’s IVF plan could expand coverage for people with insurance, helping them avoid high out-of-pocket costs. However, she warned that an increase in demand might overwhelm fertility clinics, leading to longer wait times. She emphasized that earlier treatment options, such as medications and intrauterine insemination (IUI), which can have successful outcomes, are not addressed in the executive order.
Trump’s IVF views clash with some conservatives
Trump’s Support for IVF Access Sparks Debate Among Conservative Groups
President Trump’s stance on expanding access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) stands in contrast to some conservative groups and political leaders who have raised concerns about the personhood of embryos created through IVF.
In February 2024, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are considered children, and destroying them—often done after a successful live birth from IVF—was deemed murder under state law. In response, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, a Republican, signed a bill offering legal protection for medical professionals involved in IVF procedures, as well as for patients seeking treatment.
While Trump has maintained his support for IVF access, his executive order does not clarify whether frozen embryos conceived through IVF would be included under the proposed expansion of access.
The executive order also does not address whether transgender couples would be eligible for expanded access to IVF, potentially conflicting with the new federal “gender ideology” policy that recognizes only two sexes: male and female.
On Capitol Hill, Republicans have not yet supported broadening IVF access. In June 2024, the party blocked a Democratic proposal that would have ensured nationwide access to IVF.
Roger Shedlin, CEO of WIN, a fertility benefits provider, emphasized the importance of comprehensive insurance coverage. “Fertility treatments are medical treatments and should be covered like other healthcare services,” he said. “Simply offering limited financial assistance isn’t enough — we need structured insurance coverage that ensures people can access the right treatments at the right time.”
As infertility rates increase, many turn to IVF
Rising Infertility Rates and the Role of IVF in Family Building
Infertility rates have been increasing in recent years, with approximately 9% of men and 11% of women in the U.S. affected. This rise in infertility can be attributed to several factors, including:
- Delayed Childbearing: As individuals age, egg quality and quantity in women, along with sperm quantity and motility in men, decrease.
- Environmental Toxins: Increased exposure to toxins in the environment may impact fertility.
- Unhealthy Lifestyle Choices: Smoking, alcohol use, and poor diet have been linked to infertility.
- Stress: The emotional toll of fertility struggles can also hinder the ability to conceive.
To overcome fertility challenges, many couples turn to assisted reproductive technology (ART) to help them conceive.
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a commonly used method, though success rates vary and tend to decrease in women over 40. IUI involves injecting sperm directly into the uterus using a catheter to increase the chances of fertilization during a woman’s most fertile period. It is typically less invasive and more affordable than IVF.
In contrast, In vitro fertilization (IVF) begins with self-administered hormone injections, including estrogen blockers and follicle-stimulating hormones, to encourage the ovaries to produce more eggs. Once the eggs are ready, they are retrieved and fertilized in a lab before being transferred to the uterus or frozen for future use.
Fertility specialists often recommend skipping IUI in favor of IVF, especially for couples where the female partner is older or considered to have “advanced maternal age” (over 35). However, IVF success rates are not high. A 2021 study found that fresh embryo transfers had a successful implantation rate of only 19%, while frozen embryo transfers had a higher success rate of 29%. Pregnancy and live birth rates were also better with frozen embryos.
These lower success rates mean that many couples require multiple attempts to achieve a successful pregnancy, often facing the emotional and financial burden of additional IVF cycles.
Removing barriers to IVF could help millions of individuals and couples struggling with infertility expand their families. It could also ease the financial strain of both fertility treatments and the growing costs of raising children in the U.S.
Roger Shedlin, CEO of WIN, a fertility and family wellness benefits provider, emphasized the importance of making fertility care more accessible: “Access to IVF and fertility support should not be out of reach due to financial constraints. Governments and companies have the ability to help more people build families through well-managed care.”
Takeaway
Infertility rates in the U.S. are on the rise, prompting President Trump to issue an executive order aimed at expanding access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) to meet the growing demand for fertility treatments.
However, it remains uncertain how long it will take for changes to be made regarding the out-of-pocket costs of IVF, which can reach up to $25,000 per cycle.
While some states already offer coverage for fertility treatments like IVF, many employers also provide fertility benefits to help offset the financial burden.
Roger Shedlin, CEO of WIN, a fertility benefits provider, emphasized that expanded access to IVF requires more than just broad policies: “It’s about ensuring comprehensive, managed coverage that not only provides financial support but also offers the right care pathways to improve success rates and reduce costs over time.”
