Moving cryopreserved embryos between fertility clinics is a complex logistical expense, separate from the medical procedure of an embryo transfer. This process involves coordination among three parties: the originating clinic, the specialized courier service, and the receiving clinic. Because there is no standardized fee structure, the total expense is highly variable, depending on factors like distance, clinic policies, and the chosen shipping method. Understanding these costs requires breaking down the financial components charged by each entity.
Administrative and Release Fees
The initial costs are incurred at the originating clinic, which charges administrative and laboratory fees for preparing the material. Clinics require a formal, often notarized, consent form from the patient to legally authorize the release of the cryopreserved embryos. This documentation process is mandatory before any physical transfer can occur.
Laboratories charge a fee for locating the cryo-vials within storage tanks and preparing them for shipment by the courier. The most commonly encountered charge is the “release fee” or “discontinuation fee” for transferring custodianship.
These administrative and release fees can range widely, from $350 to over $2,000 for the labor and legal coordination required. Patients must request a detailed, itemized quote from their current clinic early in the process to avoid financial surprises related to these non-medical charges.
Specialized Transportation Costs
The movement of cryopreserved embryos represents the most significant and variable expense in the entire transfer process, requiring specialized logistics. Embryos must be transported in a controlled, ultra-low temperature environment, necessitating the use of a dry shipper—a specialized liquid nitrogen vapor tank designed to maintain approximately -196°C. These tanks keep the contents frozen for a set period, typically seven to ten days.
The cost of cryoshipping is paid to a third-party logistics provider, not the fertility clinic, and depends heavily on the distance and speed of delivery. Domestic transfers within the United States can cost between $1,000 and $2,500. International shipping, which involves complex customs clearance and longer transit times, can easily rise to between $3,500 and $6,500. The total cost includes the rental of the dry shipper, the supply of liquid nitrogen, and the courier service.
Due to the irreplaceable nature of the material, obtaining insurance coverage for the embryos during transit is an option offered by most cryoshipping companies for an additional fee. This specialized insurance provides financial protection up to a declared value, sometimes as high as $50,000, in the event of loss during shipping. The use of a dedicated, hand-carry courier, who personally accompanies the dry shipper, is the most secure and therefore the most expensive option, often adding a premium to the base shipping fee.
New Clinic Intake and Storage Fees
When the cryoshipper arrives, the receiving clinic charges fees to take custody of the embryos and integrate them into their laboratory system. The first charge is typically a one-time “intake” or “receiving fee,” which covers the labor of the embryology team. This fee compensates the lab for unpacking the dry shipper and logging the new specimens into the clinic’s inventory management system.
Following the intake process, the embryos are moved into the clinic’s long-term cryostorage tanks, initiating the annual storage fee structure. These yearly fees cover the ongoing expenses of maintaining liquid nitrogen levels, monitoring the tanks, and general facility overhead. Annual storage costs vary significantly between facilities, generally falling in the range of $400 to $1,500 per year.
Patients should clarify the new clinic’s fee policy regarding the first year of storage; some facilities may include the first year within a future treatment cycle package, while others will bill the annual storage fee immediately upon intake. Understanding the renewal schedule is important for future financial planning, as these storage fees will continue as long as the embryos remain under the clinic’s custodianship.
Insurance Coverage and Budgeting
The logistical costs associated with transferring embryos are almost universally considered non-medical expenses and are not covered by standard health insurance policies. While some state-mandated fertility coverage laws may cover medical procedures like in vitro fertilization or a frozen embryo transfer, they rarely extend to the administrative and shipping expenses of moving the material. Patients should anticipate paying the entire cost of the transfer out-of-pocket.
To minimize financial uncertainty, individuals should secure comprehensive, itemized quotes from all three parties involved—the originating clinic, the shipping courier, and the receiving clinic—before authorizing the transfer. Requesting a written breakdown of each fee component allows for a clear comparison of prices and helps identify any hidden charges. Although the costs are not typically covered by insurance, some patients may be able to claim these expenses as a medical deduction when filing their annual tax return, though consulting with a qualified financial professional is necessary to determine eligibility.