Best IVF Loans

Many couples face obstacles when trying to start a family. Whether due to male infertility, female infertility, or both, in vitro fertilization (IVF) can potentially help. But costs are often a barrier. Many plans don’t cover IVF, offer only partial coverage, or cover a limited number of cycles.

If you or your partner are struggling to get pregnant, you have several IVF financing options to consider — including fertility loans from medical lenders, personal loans for IVF, and 401(k) loans. Some families may even be eligible for an IVF grant. We’ll also cover topics including costs, how to qualify for IVF loans, and how to find other types of financial assistance.

Best IVF loans

Methodology

To find the best IVF loans, Credible evaluated 31 lenders across 899 data points. We began by selecting only lenders that offer personal loans for IVF treatments. Further criteria included interest rates, loan amounts, repayment terms, funding time, and customer experience. Each data point was verified by a senior editor to make sure it was accurate at the time of publication.

Learn more about how Credible rates lenders by exploring our personal loans lender rating methodology.

How much do IVF and fertility treatments cost?

One cycle of IVF can cost between $15,000 and $20,000, and the cost can reach upwards of $30,000 if the patient needs a donor egg, according to estimates from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Insurance coverage for IVF is often limited. Most states don't require private health insurance companies to cover IVF, and self-insured plans, which cover the majority of workers, aren't subject to state coverage laws. State Medicaid programs offer limited coverage, if any, for infertility treatments and IVF.

Employers are increasingly offering supplemental fertility benefits — in 2024, about 42% of organizations in the U.S. offered coverage for fertility treatments, with about 32% of organizations offering coverage for IVF. Some companies are partnering with third-party fertility benefit providers like Carrot and Maven to help employees pay for IVF.

But in many cases, families still face out-of-pocket costs, according to Abbe Feder, founder and fertility coach at InCircle Fertility. “Even in the best of scenarios, ideally with some or all of your treatment covered, there are things that come up. For example, a lot of plans cover all but the medicine,” she says. “The medicine alone can be upwards of $5,000. It can be crushing not to know this is a possibility ahead of time.”

Before embarking on your IVF journey, make sure to understand your insurance coverage and total out-of-pocket costs so you can budget accordingly.

What is an IVF loan?

An IVF loan is any type of financing you can use to pay for IVF treatment over time. Options include personal loans, fertility clinic financing, home equity loans, and 401(k) loans. Personal loans are a popular option because they offer quick funding and predictable monthly payments.

How does IVF financing work?

Each IVF loan type works a little differently, but the lender typically gives you the money to pay your fertility treatment provider, and you repay the lender with interest over time. For example, a personal loan lender typically provides the money as a lump sum of cash, sometimes deducting an upfront fee known as an origination fee. You repay the loan with interest over a period that generally lasts two to seven years.

Most personal loans are unsecured and come with fixed interest rates, particularly loans offered by fintech lenders. An unsecured loan means you won't need to provide an asset as collateral, and your monthly payments remain the same for the life of the loan. “This may help with cash flow, allowing you to maintain a routine budget/savings rate, and spreading out the payment can help make sure you don't run into larger debt issues,” explains Matt Fizell, CFP, NAPFA Advisor Bureau Member, and Owner of Harmony Wealth.

IVF financing options

• Personal loans: You can get a personal loan from a bank, credit union, or online lender. Depending on your credit score and income and the lender, you may qualify for a loan of up to $100,000 or more. Personal loans are typically funded in a lump sum within a few days. A modest number of online lenders, banks, and credit unions offer personal loans specifically for IVF or other fertility treatments.
• Fertility clinic financing: Some clinics offer discounted infertility packages, in-house payment plans that are interest-free, or low-APR options through third-party medical lenders. “In clinics, each one's financial policy is different. This can be something to ask about or consider when choosing a doctor or clinic,” Feder says. 
• Fertility loans: Some lending platforms offer fertility loans directly to the patient that can only be used for IVF-related expenses. These loans may feature competitive starting APRs and higher borrowing limits, but you should compare rates and terms with other loan options. 

• Home equity loans: A home equity loan lets you borrow a portion of your home equity (the percentage of your home that you own). You may qualify for a lower APR, a higher loan amount, and a longer term than with a personal loan, but they typically involve upfront costs — and you risk foreclosure if you can’t make payments. 
• HELOCs: A home equity line of credit (HELOC) is similar to a home equity loan. But rather than providing a lump sum, it works like a credit card that you can withdraw cash from repeatedly and pay off as you go. HELOCs typically feature an interest-only payment period. They can be useful for IVF treatment because you don’t always know the total amount you’ll need to pay the clinic upfront. 
• 401(k) loans: Many retirement plan sponsors allow 401(k) loans. You can borrow some of the funds from your retirement account and avoid paying a tax penalty as long as you repay the money with interest within the loan term. If you leave your job, the whole balance might be due at once. 

IVF grants and other resources

Feder says there are now many different IVF grant programs designed to meet specific needs. “Some take financial status into account (low income, certain job paths), some are for certain underrepresented or under-supported demographics (military, couples of color, single mothers), and yet others look for a specific fertility need (egg donor, surrogate),” she says. 

Some options include:

• BabyQuest
• Worth the Wait Charity
• The Cade Foundation
• Footprints of Angels
• Nest Egg Foundation Grant

Bear in mind that IVF doesn’t always result in a pregnancy, even if you complete multiple cycles. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers an IVF success estimator you can use to calculate your chances of becoming pregnant. 

Given the risk of failure, some women choose to participate in a risk-sharing program, which involves paying a discounted rate for a package of several IVF cycles upfront and provides the opportunity for a partial or full refund if the treatment doesn’t result in childbirth. Some companies, like Lily Fertility, provide insurance coverage in exchange for a monthly premium. The coverage provides a payout if IVF is unsuccessful. Both options could lower the cost of paying for IVF, but costs may increase if the treatment is successful. 

How to compare IVF financing options

When comparing IVF financing options, consider the following:

• The APR, which represents the annual cost of a loan with interest and upfront fees
• The loan amount you can qualify for
• The repayment term options, which impact your monthly payments
• Whether you want a one-time sum of cash or access to withdrawals
• How long it takes to fund the loan
• Whether the financing can only be used at certain clinics
• Whether the financing comes with any perks, like financial education or fertility support

Pros and cons of IVF loans

There are pros and cons to any type of IVF financing. When considering a personal loan to pay for IVF, evaluate the following benefits and drawbacks.

Pros

• Pay over time to start a family now: IVF success rates decline with age, so waiting to save enough money for treatment may lower your chances of getting pregnant. An IVF loan provides the money you need now and allows you to repay over time. 
• Manageable monthly payments: Some lenders offer personal loan repayment terms up to seven years, allowing you to spread out the payments. Plus, payments stay consistent, so it’s easy to plan your budget accordingly. 
• Easy application and quick funding: The application process for a personal loan from an online lender is fast and easy. You can usually get your money within a few business days. 

Cons

• Increased debt: Multiple cycles of IVF may require you to take on a lot of debt. If you get pregnant, you’ll be repaying that debt while also managing a dramatic increase in living expenses. The average couple spent $16,100 annually on a 2-year-old child without siblings, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion. Make sure you have a plan to increase your income or reduce your spending before taking on more debt to start a family. 
• Higher APRs than some other options: Personal loans have lower average APRs than credit cards, but they typically have higher rates than home equity loans. If your fertility clinic offers an interest-free payment plan that works with your budget, that option could be less costly. 
• Typically requires fair credit or better: If you have bad credit, you may have difficulty qualifying for an IVF loan that covers the entire cost. Some online lenders offer bad credit personal loans, but you can expect a high APR, which raises the cost of borrowing. 

How to get an IVF loan

1. Determine the IVF financing option that best meets your needs.
2. Prequalify with a handful of lenders.
3. Compare the APR, monthly payment, and total cost of each option.
4. Choose a lender and continue with the formal application, which typically triggers a hard credit check.
5. Upload the required documents and answer any additional questions.
6. If approved, read your loan agreement, ask questions if necessary, and e-sign the documents.
7. Wait for the money to transfer to your bank account.