 | Sperm Count and Motility Test: $50-$200 |
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 | Endometrial Biopsy: $200-$1,000 |
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 | High: to $5,000+ for surgical procedures |
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| Fertility testing usually is recommended when a couple has been trying unsuccessfully to conceive for one year -- or, if the woman is older than 35, for six months. Infertility can happen for a number of reasons, so both partners should be tested. | | |
| Typical costs: | - The cost of fertility testing varies, based on the test. The least invasive testing can range from $50 to $200 or more for a sperm count and motility test; or for blood tests for the female to check the levels of hormones that promote the maturation and release of eggs.
- Somewhat invasive fertility testing can cost $200 to $1,000 or more for tests such as the endometrial biopsy, in which a sample of the uterine lining is taken to see if it is reacting properly to hormonal stimulation; or the HSG, a special X-ray in which dye is inserted into the uterus and fallopian tubes, which are examined for defects.
- The most invasive fertility testing can cost up to $5,000 or more for tests that require anesthesia, such as a hysteroscopy or laparoscopy, in which the doctor uses a scope to physically examine the female reproductive organs.
- Doctors usually begin with the least invasive tests. If a cause is not found, the doctor may recommend more invasive tests. It is important to look at both partners because 40 percent of cases involve male factor infertility; 40 percent involve female factor infertility; 10 percent involve problems with both partners and, in the rest of the cases, the cause is undetermined.
- Fertility testing generally is covered by health insurance plans -- even those that do not cover infertility treatments -- because fertility problems can be linked to or caused by other health problems, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or endometriosis. FertilityLifeLines.com, run by an affiliate of Merck Serono, offers advice on navigating insurance benefits and a toll-free phone number 1-866-LETS-TRY, that offers help figuring out what your plan covers. The American Fertility Association has a list of questions to ask your insurer.
- For patients covered by insurance, out-of-pocket costs generally range from less than $100 to $1,000 or more, depending on the tests, how many tests are needed and the insurance plan. Out-of-pocket expenses usually include copays per visit, or a percentage of the diagnostic testing cost.
What should be included: | - Before conducting specific tests, the doctor usually will do a thorough physical examination of both partners and will interview each partner about medical history and sexual history and habits.
- The American Society for Reproductive Medicine offers an overview of infertility and testing.
Additional costs: | - If fertility testing is performed at a hospital, a facility fee can add several hundred dollars to the total cost.
Discounts: | - Some clinics offer slightly lower cash rates to patients who pay out-of-pocket.
Shopping for a fertility test: | |
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Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.
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Article updated August 2008 |
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