In a Difficult Economy, These Fertility Experts Are Helping Parents-to-Be Plan to Start a Family

For many couples, starting a family is one of life’s most meaningful goals. But against today’s economic backdrop—rising interest rates, stagnant wages, and climbing housing costs—that dream can feel increasingly out of reach, especially for those struggling to conceive. Fertility services have become part of the journey to parenthood for many families as 1 in 6 couples globally will face infertility challenges, but the associated costs often leave would-be parents wondering: Can we actually afford to do this?

That’s why fertility clinics in and around Philadelphia are evolving to help patients navigate the challenges of a tight economy, whether that means overcoming financial hurdles or navigating complicated insurance requirements.

At Main Line Fertility, a practice with six locations in the region, that shift is showing up in how they counsel, support, and strategize with each patient on how to make fertility work for them. Their proactive, patient-centered approach to affordability has made them a model for how clinics can support patients through some of the most complex—and costly—health decisions of their lives.

“We try to prepare patients from the get-go,” says Alissa Barrie, Administrative Director at Main Line Fertility. “They get a financial synopsis before they’re even seen in the office. That way, they know what to expect—and they’re not blindsided.”

We spoke to Main Line Fertility to find out what that support looks like, how fertility care can actually increase your financial planning options, and how to make sure you’re getting the right help if you’re trying to have children of your own.

Physicians like Dr. Michael Glassner are helping patients plan their entire fertility journey, allowing them to better prepare financially.

Understand the Details of Your Insurance

Fertility care offers different viable treatment paths for each patient depending on what works best for their future, which makes the approach to care a holistic decision that depends on the stage a person’s life is in. That’s why, at Main Line Fertility, financial counseling starts before a patient even meets with a doctor.

“Over 70% of our patients have fertility insurance coverage—and that number continues to grow. More companies are expanding benefits each year, helping make fertility care more accessible and easing the financial burden. If your current employer doesn’t offer fertility benefits, consider speaking with your HR department about advocating for coverage. The biggest obstacle to care shouldn’t be walking through the front door,” says Dr. Michael Glassner, Medical Director and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility specialist at Main Line Fertility.  

To make that model work, the practice has built a specialized financial team—patient care coordinators, insurance verifiers and financial counselors—who collaborate to ensure each patient gets customized financial guidance. The team guides patients through the financial process, while identifying cost-saving programs and financing options.

“We send out a self-pay price sheet before their first visit, so even if they don’t have coverage, they know what the cost looks like,” Barrie explains. After that, the clinic’s patient care coordinators follow up with a call within 24 to 48 hours of the appointment. 

The goal is empowerment, says Tina Heimbach, Managing Director at Main Line Fertility. “Part of our role is to educate patients so they can advocate for themselves,” she says. “We want them to be informed when they’re making decisions with their provider about what’s next.”

One of the biggest hurdles for many patients is simply not knowing what their insurance does and doesn’t cover. Fertility coverage can vary widely depending on your employer and plan—and even when patients do have fertility benefits, there are often unexpected limitations.

“We see a lot of people come in who don’t know what a deductible is, or what co-insurance means,” Barrie says.

Heimbach highlights a common scenario: a patient may have access to a lifetime fertility benefit but may not fully understand how to utilize it effectively over time. Instead of exhausting the funds all at once, she explains, “We guide patients through what their coverage truly entails, helping them strategize how to time or bundle treatments to maximize its value.”

A good clinic will help you ask the right questions and supply guides on what to ask your insurer.

Tina Heimbach and Alissa Barrie at Main Line Fertility dive deep into financial planning to help all patients feel secure in starting families.

Work Closely with Your Providers

Educating the patient allows them to make a realistic plan for their future. That’s why one of the most important questions that patients are asked at Main Line Fertility is, “How many children do you want?”

The answer shapes the course of treatment and the financial planning to support that treatment. “If you’re 38 and get pregnant through IUI, that’s great. But when you come back at 40 for your second child, things may look very different,”  Heimbach says. “We want people to think ahead—and preserve their options if that’s important to them.”

Providers and financial counselors work together to guide patients through long-term planning, whether that means banking embryos for future use or timing treatment in ways that align with both fertility health and financial readiness. Providers will always make the best treatment recommendation regardless of financing, but they’ll also help make sure they find a treatment that works for the patient’s situation.

Even the pharmacy that you work with matters. Though your treatment may be covered, your medications may not be—and fertility drugs can cost upwards of $10,000 per cycle. Some insurance plans carve out separate deductibles and coverage caps for prescriptions. Others don’t cover fertility meds at all.

This is where pharmacy partnerships can make a big difference. At Main Line Fertility, the team works with specific pharmacies and programs to help patients access discounts. “There’s a whole other side to this,” says Barrie. “Treatment is one part. Fulfilling your prescriptions is another.”

Know Your Options Beyond Insurance

Even the best insurance won’t cover everything. Some plans require patients to complete multiple rounds of intrauterine insemination (or IUI) before covering in vitro fertilization (IVF). Others won’t pay for embryo freezing, genetic testing, or medications at all. That’s why it’s important to know your employer’s insurance plans early on in detail, and consider finding one that supports your fertility care needs before starting the fertility process. 

It’s also important to work with a clinic that has multiple financing tools in place and can give you flexibility. At Main Line Fertility, patients can get help from lenders designed to support fertility treatments or opt into a discounted program through a company called Bundl.

“Bundl is really popular with patients who need to plan ahead,” Heimbach explains. “It offers fixed-cost packages for multiple IVF cycles—sometimes including medications—and often at a lower total price than paying cycle by cycle. It helps patients understand their full costs upfront and avoid piecemeal financial surprises.”

Some packages even include medications or offer money-back guarantees if a patient doesn’t end up with a successful pregnancy. “It’s not right for everyone,” Barrie adds, “but it’s a good conversation to have.”

That support matters for more than just financial tools. A good fertility provider won’t just work with your insurance; they’ll work with your unique situation. Main Line Fertility regularly partners with LGBTQ+ organizations to support more families, and they help make sure cancer patients who need to preserve fertility before starting treatment get care according to their timeline.

Even just getting the right advice on egg freezing can help families wait for the right time financially for them to have children.

“We’ve had patients who froze eggs years ago and come back ready to start their families,” Heimbach says. “We’ve also helped people who thought IVF wasn’t possible for them. Then they learned they had options—and that changed everything.”

But regardless of your particular needs, if you’re interested in having children, the most important thing to do is to take control of the process as soon as possible.

“Know your benefits. Call your insurance,” says Barrie. “If you’re in your family-building years and also job-hunting, look at what fertility coverage is included. It can make a huge difference.”