IVF Gender Selection Cost: What to Expect and How to Plan

Sticker shock is common when you first look into IVF gender selection. The cost isn’t just a simple add-on—it’s a big jump from standard IVF fees. Most clinics in the U.S. charge between $18,000 and $30,000 for a single cycle with gender selection, and that doesn’t always cover meds or every test. Outside the U.S., you might find lower prices, but there are often trade-offs with regulations or travel costs.

So, what are you really paying for? Gender selection isn’t its own treatment. You still need a full IVF cycle, plus the tests that check embryo chromosomes (usually called PGT-A or PGS). That extra lab work is what drives up the price. And let’s not forget: genetic testing might find no healthy embryos of the sex you want, which means more cycles, and more money.

• Breaking Down the Costs of Gender Selection
• Why Prices Change Between Clinics and Countries
• Insurance, Extra Fees, and Hidden Costs
• Smart Tips for Managing Your IVF Budget

Breaking Down the Costs of Gender Selection

If you’re trying to figure out what makes IVF gender selection cost so high, it helps to see where every dollar goes. It’s not just the basic IVF fee. Here’s a clear look at what you’re actually paying for:

• IVF cycle cost: This covers the doctor’s visits, ultrasound checks, egg retrieval, and lab work to fertilize your eggs. In the U.S., just the standard IVF cycle often runs between $12,000 and $18,000. Medications can add another $3,000 to $6,000.
• Genetic testing (PGT-A): This is where gender selection comes in. Clinics use preimplantation genetic testing to look at the chromosomes in each embryo. Most charge $4,000 to $7,500 for this step, no matter how many embryos get tested.
• Embryo freezing and storage: Not every embryo will be transferred right away. Freezing and storing extras costs another $500 to $1,200 up front, with yearly fees after that.
• Embryo transfer fee: When it’s time to do the actual transfer, expect to pay a separate fee—usually $2,000 to $4,000.

All these costs add up fast. Here’s a quick example of typical IVF gender selection cost at a U.S. clinic in 2025:

Service	Low-End Cost	High-End Cost
IVF Cycle (including meds)	$15,000	$24,000
Genetic Testing (PGT-A/PGS)	$4,000	$7,500
Freezing & Storage	$500	$1,200
Embryo Transfer	$2,000	$4,000

Adding it up, one round of IVF with gender selection can easily go from $21,500 to $36,700. And that’s if everything goes right on the first try.

One more thing: most clinics list “all-inclusive” packages, but these always come with fine print. Don’t forget to ask about fees for initial consultations, bloodwork, or if you need a second transfer. The IVF gender selection cost is rarely a single, neat number—always dig deep and get a full itemized quote before starting.

Why Prices Change Between Clinics and Countries

Ever notice how one IVF gender selection cost quote is way higher than another? Part of it is simply geography. In the U.S., you might pay $20,000 for a cycle, while a clinic in Greece or Mexico could offer something similar for half that price. But don’t get caught up in headline numbers alone—let’s unpack what’s really affecting those fees.

First, regulations and what’s allowed by law change everything. The U.S., for example, has a lot of oversight and strict lab standards, which means pricier but often more reliable results. In places like the UK or Canada, non-medical gender selection is flat-out banned, so you have to look elsewhere if that’s your goal.

A big chunk of gender selection prices comes from the lab tech and equipment. Not all clinics have the same technology for embryo testing (like PGT-A or PGS), and the newer the gear, the higher the cost. Plus, the skill level of embryologists is a huge factor—top specialists charge more for their experience.

Let’s check out a quick snapshot of average estimated costs by country for one IVF cycle with gender selection as of 2024:

Country	IVF Cycle Cost (USD)	PGT-A/Selection Fee
USA	$15,000 – $20,000	$5,000 – $10,000
Mexico	$7,000 – $9,000	$3,000 – $5,000
Greece	$6,000 – $8,000	$3,000 – $5,000
Thailand	$9,000 – $11,000	$3,500 – $5,500

But price isn’t the only thing to think about. Some clinics bundle medication, genetic testing, and follow-ups all together, while others charge separately. Language barriers, travel costs, and follow-up care can make savings disappear fast if you need help after you get home.

The bottom line: don’t pick a clinic just because it’s cheap. Look at success rates, what’s actually included, and how support works if things don’t go as planned. Quality, transparency, and experience make a huge difference—sometimes more than the sticker price itself.

Insurance, Extra Fees, and Hidden Costs

Here’s the blunt truth—insurance almost never covers IVF gender selection cost. In the U.S., most insurance plans either offer zero fertility coverage or, if they do, specifically exclude anything considered "elective," like picking your baby’s sex. So, expect to pay out of pocket for the gender selection part, even if your insurance chips in for standard IVF or some meds.

Let’s talk extra fees. Clinics often quote the base price for an IVF cycle, but the moment you add gender selection (meaning preimplantation genetic testing), the bill grows fast. Few people realize each step tacks on its own fee:

• PGT-A/PGS testing: Usually $4,000–$7,500 per cycle, depending on the lab and number of embryos tested.
• Embryo biopsy: Not always bundled with testing—this can be $500–$1,500 extra.
• Embryo freezing and storage: First year’s included sometimes, but after that, clinics may charge $500–$1,000 per year for storage.
• Medications: These run $4,000–$8,000 per cycle, separated from other costs at lots of clinics.
• Follow-up embryo transfer: If it’s not done right away, a frozen transfer often costs $3,000–$5,000 more.

Then there’s the sneaky stuff nobody tells you. Consults, bloodwork, ultrasound monitoring, even paperwork admin fees can pop up. Always ask for a detailed breakdown before you start.

IVF Gender Selection Cost Breakdown (Typical Range in USD)
PGT-A Genetic Testing	$4,000 - $7,500
Embryo Biopsy	$500 - $1,500
IVF Medications	$4,000 - $8,000
Frozen Embryo Transfer	$3,000 - $5,000
Embryo Storage (per year)	$500 - $1,000

One last thing: some clinics offer "package deals" for a flat rate, but read the fine print—sometimes it covers fewer services than you expect. Insist on seeing every single anticipated extra cost before you throw down a deposit. No one likes a surprise bill.

Smart Tips for Managing Your IVF Budget

Ready to tackle the actual numbers? If you're thinking about IVF gender selection cost, you need a game plan to avoid surprises. Clinics often toss out one big number, but hidden charges can sneak in fast. Here’s how to stay on top of your budget and maybe even save a little cash.

• Get a detailed price breakdown. Don’t stop at “What’s the IVF package price?” Ask for the costs of meds, anesthesia, pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT-A/PGS), scans, embryo freezing, storage, and follow-up visits in writing. Some clinics will email a full quote if you ask.
• Ask about success rates. Clinics with higher success rates for gender selection might cost more up front, but fewer cycles mean fewer bills. Ask specifically how many cycles couples usually need for the gender you want.
• Look at international clinics. Some people save thousands by doing gender selection in places like Mexico, Cyprus, or Thailand. Watch for travel costs and check local regulations, but sometimes the all-in cost is hundreds or even tens of thousands less.
• Plan for what’s not covered. Most insurance does not pay for gender selection in the U.S. Medications alone can run from $3,000 to $7,000 per cycle. Budget for these separately, and don’t forget about bloodwork and embryo storage fees after the transfer.
• Ask about payment plans and financing. Many clinics now offer 0% interest payment plans or tie-ins with lenders who specialize in fertility. This can help if you need to spread out payments over 12-24 months. Just double check all the fees.

You might be surprised by the wide range you’ll see just by calling a couple clinics. Here’s what a typical U.S. single-cycle cost with gender selection testing looked like in 2024:

Service	Average Cost
IVF Cycle (procedures & basic labs)	$13,000
Medication	$4,500
PGT-A/PGS (genetic testing for gender selection)	$5,500
Embryo Freezing + Storage (1 year)	$1,000
Extras (anesthesia, monitoring, extra bloodwork)	$1,500
Total	$25,500

Double-check everything with your clinic, and get it in writing. Costs change, and everyone’s situation is a bit different. Keeping a spreadsheet with all your quotes and receipts helps a ton when it’s time to make big decisions. If you have a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA), see if you can use it for any part of your IVF treatment — sometimes meds or labs are eligible.