Does Insurance Cover Egg Freezing?
Sometimes — and increasingly often. Egg freezing (oocyte cryopreservation) is covered by approximately 24% of large employer plans in 2026, almost always when offered as a fertility benefit through tech or finance employers. Standard ACA marketplace plans and most state mandates do not cover elective egg freezing.
Out of pocket, a single egg freezing cycle costs $10,000–$17,000 including medications. Storage adds $500–$1,000 per year. If you need IVF later to use the frozen eggs, that's another $15,000–$25,000.
Updated May 2026 · 5 min read
⚠️Coverage estimates only. Numbers below are based on publicly available formulary and industry data — not your specific policy. Always verify coverage directly with your insurer and consult a physician before making medical decisions.
Coverage by Plan Type and Employer
Large employer plans (5,000+ employees): Approximately 24% include some form of egg freezing benefit in 2026, up from 11% in 2020 (Mercer Survey). Tech, finance, consulting, and law firms lead — Google, Meta, Apple, Goldman Sachs, and Citi all cover at least one cycle, typically with a $20,000–$50,000 lifetime fertility maximum.
Small employer plans: Coverage is rare. Less than 5% of plans for employers with under 200 employees include elective fertility preservation.
State mandates: Twenty states have some form of fertility coverage mandate, but only a handful — Connecticut, New York (large group), Illinois (large group), and Maryland — explicitly include fertility preservation. Most state mandates only require IVF coverage, not elective egg freezing.
Medical egg freezing (before chemotherapy, radiation, or other gonadotoxic treatment) is covered far more broadly — most state mandates and the majority of commercial plans cover it as medically necessary fertility preservation. The diagnosis code matters: a cancer or pre-treatment diagnosis dramatically improves approval odds.
What It Costs
Single cycle (cash)
$10,000–$17,000
Includes meds + retrieval
Medications only
$3,000–$6,000
Per cycle, varies by protocol
Storage
$500–$1,000/yr
Annual cryopreservation fee
Future IVF (per cycle)
$15,000–$25,000
If you use the eggs later
With employer benefit
$0–$5,000
Up to lifetime max
Medical (cancer pt.)
Often covered
With diagnosis
Frequently Asked Questions
Which employers cover egg freezing?
Many large tech and finance employers offer fertility benefits that include egg freezing — Google, Meta, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, and most major consulting firms. Coverage typically caps at $20,000–$50,000 lifetime for fertility services combined (egg freezing + IVF + storage). Check your benefits portal or ask HR specifically about 'fertility preservation' or 'oocyte cryopreservation' coverage.
How many cycles will insurance cover?
When covered, employer plans typically allow one to two retrieval cycles within the lifetime fertility benefit. Each cycle yields an average of 8–15 mature eggs depending on age and ovarian response. Most fertility specialists recommend 15–20 mature eggs to achieve a reasonable likelihood of one live birth, which often requires more than one cycle for women over 35.
Does insurance cover egg storage fees?
Storage is usually paid out of pocket even when the retrieval cycle is covered. Annual storage runs $500–$1,000 per year and continues until you choose to use or discard the eggs. Some employer benefits include the first 1–2 years of storage; after that, you pay directly to the storage facility.
Will insurance cover egg freezing for medical reasons?
Yes, far more often. If you've been diagnosed with cancer, an autoimmune disease requiring gonadotoxic treatment, or a condition like endometriosis or BRCA-positive status that threatens future fertility, most state mandates and commercial plans cover fertility preservation. The Affordable Care Act treats fertility preservation before iatrogenic infertility as a covered service in many plans. Documentation from an oncologist or treating specialist is essential.
What if my plan denies coverage?
Appeal in writing within the timeline shown on your denial letter (usually 30–180 days). Strong appeals include: a letter of medical necessity from your physician, peer-reviewed citations supporting the procedure, your employer's benefits summary if it lists fertility preservation, and any state mandate language that applies. About 30–40% of fertility coverage denials are overturned on first appeal.