Paying for Fertility Treatment: Coverage, Tax Rules and Loans

Published by the Modern Lending Solutions editorial team. Last reviewed: October 30, 2026.

Short answer: start by asking your health plan exactly what it covers, then compare the clinic's payment options, tax-favored accounts and a loan by their total cost. Watch for deferred interest on medical credit cards and payment plans: if the balance is not paid in full by the end of the promotional period, you can owe interest on top of the bill (CFPB).

1. Ask your health plan what it covers

Coverage for fertility treatment depends on your plan. Your Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) is a short summary of a plan's costs and coverage; you get one when you shop for or renew coverage, and you can ask the insurer for one (HealthCare.gov). Then ask the plan directly:

Which fertility tests, medicines and procedures are covered, and are there limits on the number of cycles?
Do I need prior authorization or a referral?
Which clinics are in network, and what will I pay out of pocket?

2. Clinic payment options

Ask the clinic for a written estimate of the full cost, including medicines, monitoring and any storage fees, and ask whether it offers a payment plan or package price and what happens to the money if a cycle is cancelled. The medical bills guide compares provider payment plans with a loan.

3. Medical credit cards and deferred interest

A medical credit card can only be used for medical services, and its interest is often deferred for a period of time. If you pay late or there is a balance when the promotional period ends, you may owe significant interest and fees. Some provider payment plans are interest-free, while others use deferred interest (CFPB). The CFPB's 2023 report covers these products in more depth (CFPB report). For a promotional card rate, see the balance transfer vs personal loan guide.

4. HSA, FSA and the medical expense deduction

IRS Publication 502 lists fertility procedures such as in vitro fertilization (including temporary storage of eggs or sperm), and surgery to overcome an inability to have children, as medical expenses (IRS Pub. 502).
Costs paid for a gestational surrogate cannot be included (IRS Pub. 502).
Qualified medical expenses for an HSA or health FSA are generally those that would qualify for the medical expense deduction (IRS Pub. 969).
You can deduct only the part of your medical and dental expenses that is more than 7.5% of your adjusted gross income, and you cannot include expenses paid by insurance or with a tax-free distribution from your HSA (IRS Pub. 502).

This section explains the general rules. It is not tax advice; check with the IRS or a tax professional about your own situation.

Example: a $10,000 personal loan

This example borrows $10,000 at 11.90% APR over 24 months, the Federal Reserve's August 2026 average for 24-month personal loans (G.19). Your rate may differ.

Amount	Monthly payment	Interest	Total paid
$10,000 over 24 months	$470.27	$1,286.48	$11,286.48

$10,000 + $1,286.48 = $11,286.48. Unlike deferred interest, a fixed-rate installment loan charges interest from the start, so compare its total of payments with what a promotional plan would cost if the balance is not paid in time. The payment formula guide shows how the payment is worked out.

Questions to ask before you borrow

What will my plan pay, and what is my written out-of-pocket estimate?
Does the clinic offer a payment plan, and is the interest deferred or zero?
Can I use HSA or FSA money for any of these costs?
For a loan: what is the APR, is there an origination fee, and what is the total of payments?

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Sources

Disclosure: Modern Lending Solutions is not a lender, loan broker or agent for any lender or loan broker, and does not make credit decisions. Any compensation we receive is paid by participating lenders, only for advertising services. This guide is general information, not financial or legal advice.

Ways to Pay for Fertility Treatment