IVF Costs and Uncertainty: A New Startup Wants to Change the Equation

Future Family introduces a financial safety net for in vitro fertilization, offering hopeful parents peace of mind in a high-stakes process.

A Costly and Uncertain Path to Parenthood

For many couples and individuals facing infertility, in vitro fertilization (IVF) represents the best chance at having a biological child. However, the process is financially burdensome, often costing between $15,000 and $30,000 per cycle in the United States, with no guarantee of success. Multiple rounds of treatment are often necessary, placing a heavy strain on both finances and emotions.

San Francisco-based startup Future Family aims to alleviate some of that burden with an IVF insurance product that offers a money-back guarantee. This initiative, backed by Munich Re Ventures, the investment arm of global reinsurer Munich Re, provides families with financial protection if their fertility journey does not result in a successful pregnancy.

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How IVF Insurance Works

Traditional health insurance policies in the U.S. often exclude IVF coverage, leaving many individuals to pay out of pocket. Future Family’s insurance-like program changes that dynamic by offering a refund if treatment is unsuccessful. This model, similar to refund programs available in Europe, aims to mitigate financial risk while giving families a clearer path forward.

According to the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART), the success rate of IVF per cycle is about 22% for women over 35 and 42% for those under 35. The uncertainty of success makes financial protection particularly appealing for those investing in the process.

A Growing Market for Fertility Financing

The global fertility services market is projected to reach $41 billion by 2027, driven by increasing awareness of reproductive options and delayed childbearing. Major insurers have been slow to offer comprehensive fertility coverage, creating space for companies like Future Family to introduce alternative financing solutions.

Companies such as Progyny have partnered with employers to offer fertility benefits, while Future Family’s approach directly targets individuals who may not have employer-sponsored coverage. This model could help a wider range of people access treatment without the uncertainty of losing their entire investment.

What This Means for Families Seeking IVF

Future Family’s offering presents a new financial safety net in a system where infertility treatment has historically been a high-stakes gamble. While costs remain high, reducing financial risk may encourage more hopeful parents to pursue IVF without the overwhelming fear of financial loss.

Dr. Eve Feinberg, a reproductive endocrinologist and past president of the Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, notes that "financial concerns remain one of the biggest barriers to IVF treatment in the United States. Innovative financing solutions could help expand access to more families in need."

As fertility financing evolves, Future Family’s model could set a new precedent—one where those struggling with infertility have greater financial support and a clearer path to parenthood.

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