Assembling IVF in a Multi-Billion Dollar Industry That Still Feels DIY

Sarah Cannon

— 5 min read

Four years ago, we did IVF and got lucky on the first try.

We knew from the start that IVF was our only option—male factor infertility due to a vasectomy and testosterone use made it pretty clear. So we paid about $40,000 for a “guaranteed” package: multiple cycles bundled into one price, no refund if we succeeded early. Meds weren’t included, but the experience felt seamless. I felt informed, supported, and oddly relaxed.

I didn’t ask a lot of questions because I didn’t have to. Our clinic was local, full-service, and hands-on. Everything just… happened when it needed to. The only "stressful" research I did was when I was trying to game the medication game, but that story is for another time.

This time? Very different story.

The Low-Cost Route (And Why It’s Not Low-Lift)

We don’t have $40K available to us and we aren't interested in taking out a loan. So, after a lot of research, I landed on CNY Fertility—a clinic known for affordable IVF, but not exactly known for customer service. They’re upfront about it: they’ll keep costs low—but beyond that, you’re kind of on your own. Note: I haven't had any issues with anyone I've interacted with at CNY. They have all been very nice and I usually get a response to my questions within 24 hours and I rarely have to wait on hold very long if I need to call. However, I do feel like I have to know the questions to ask, I have to advocate for myself. I feel in the dark and unsure what the next steps are.

I thought I was ready for that. I’ve done this before. I figured, “I don’t need hand-holding.”

Turns out, hand-holding is underrated.

This time, I’m not walking into a local clinic where everything is coordinated for me.

This time, I’m the one connecting the dots.

The diagnostics, the meds, the labs, the imaging, the follow-ups—all scattered across different locations, companies, and people who don’t talk to each other. I’m not just going through IVF. I’m assembling IVF.

And all of this might be tolerable if it weren’t happening inside a billion-dollar industry. The infertility treatment market alone is worth $1.7 billion today, expected to more than double by 2034 (source).
And yet, in one of the largest metro areas in the country, I still can’t easily find out which imaging clinic can measure a follicle.

What Nobody Tells You

Here’s what I’ve learned so far:

  • STAT bloodwork is available—but not everywhere. Some labs can run STAT panels and get results back same day, others can’t. It’s not always clear from their websites, so you have to call and ask directly, but make sure you are speaking with the actual location and not a central call center that might not know location specifics. And be aware: even within large chains like Labcorp, not every location offers STAT processing.
  • Ultrasounds are also hit or miss. Just because a place offers transvaginal ultrasounds doesn’t mean they’ll do the specific kind required for fertility monitoring—counting and measuring follicles. I have only seen a single place actually list this service online, so again: call, ask, move on if the answer is no. Also worth noting: some locations within chains like Envision Imaging offer this, others don’t. It’s not consistent.
  • Other fertility clinics in your area will usually let you use their in-house labs—you’ll just pay out of pocket. In the DFW area, prices for these ultrasounds seem to range from $260–$375, though a Facebook hero found one for $150, which felt like spotting a unicorn. If your insurance doesn’t cover these during treatment (more on that in a second), this may still be your best bet.
  • Insurance is confusing on purpose. My diagnostic testing was covered. But when I asked if those same tests would be covered during treatment? Nope. Even though the codes are the same. Apparently, your blood knows your intentions and adjusts billing accordingly.

And You’re Supposed to Pretend This Is Normal?

Here’s something I didn’t expect:
I felt weird—like, shame weird—calling clinics and labs to ask for prices. I shouldn’t have. Most people don’t have $10,000+ lying around. But there’s something about asking for fertility pricing that feels… taboo. Like if you can’t afford it easily, maybe you shouldn’t be trying at all.

That’s never said out loud, of course. But it hums underneath the whole process.
I was polite. Clear. Direct. Still, every call felt like I was confessing something.

Which is ridiculous.
You’re not less of an adult for needing to price-shop fertility treatment. You’re not less ready to be a parent because you want to know what an ultrasound costs before scheduling it.

Timeline (in case you're keeping score)

  • February: Called CNY. They said the next consult was in June.
  • I submitted all my pre-paperwork and asked to be waitlisted for cancellations.
  • March: While traveling for work, I got a call—spot opened for March 26. Took it.
  • May: Diagnostic testing complete. Ready to pull the trigger.
  • Waited again to see if meds would be covered under new insurance. Spoiler: they weren’t.
  • June: Bought Package #2 from CNY using their 10% off gift certificates, and got an extra 5% discount by paying in full with a 0% interest credit card for 24 months.

Estimated total cost:
~$12,000 (IVF + meds + PGT testing + remote monitoring + travel)
Compared to local options at $17,000–$20,000

If this first cycle doesn’t result in a baby and we’re out of embryos, that’s it—we’re not doing another round. If we were planning to try multiple times, I might’ve gone with a more expensive multi-round package. But we’re not. This is it. And the financial breathing room CNY offered made this attempt possible.

Why I’m Writing This

Because no matter how much research you do, it still feels like you’re flying blind half the time. And if you’re going through CNY—or any remote/low-cost clinic—you’re probably carrying the full mental load of stitching together a treatment plan that should be handed to you on a silver platter.

Also, because people in Facebook groups saved me. I want to be that for someone else.

This time around, I’m learning as I go. I’ll share what works, what doesn’t, what costs what, and what hoops I've had to jump through so you don't have to.

I’m starting stims now. More updates to come—along with the answers I can offer, the shortcuts I’ve found, and the lessons I’m learning the hard way so maybe you don’t have to.

Resources:

The Ultrasound Concierge:
I didn't use this company, but was ecstatic to see they listed exactly the ultrasound I was looking for. If I wasn't trying to bill through my insurance I probably would have used them.

Envision Imaging locations that I verified have the follicle monitoring ultrasound:

Bedford, Fort Worth - Hulen, Fort Worth - Bryant Irving, Las Colinas. Others might, but I didn't call all of them.

I used the Labcorp in North Richland Hills, but the Grapevine location said they could handle Stat labs as well. I generally think if they are inside a hospital they can handle stat labs, but I have not verified that hypothesis.

The $150 follicle monitoring ultrasound was listed on a document from this clinic. I did not reached out to verify that that pricing is current.