Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) is a procedure performed during an In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) cycle to screen embryos for genetic or chromosomal abnormalities before transfer to the uterus. PGT allows specialists to identify euploid embryos (those with the correct number of chromosomes), which generally improves the chance of a successful pregnancy and reduces the risk of miscarriage. This extra step adds a substantial financial layer to the already considerable cost of an IVF cycle. The total expense for PGT varies widely based on the specific type of genetic analysis required, the pricing structure of the laboratory and clinic, and the number of embryos tested.
The Direct Cost of Genetic Analysis
The most recognizable component of the total price is the fee charged by the specialized genetics laboratory for the analysis itself. This lab fee typically ranges from $3,000 to $6,000 per IVF cycle. The structure is often a combination of a base fee and a per-embryo charge, with many labs charging between $350 and $500 for each embryo tested. Some laboratories offer tiered pricing, such as a fixed price for up to eight embryos, with an additional charge for any beyond that limit.
The specific type of PGT significantly impacts the cost due to differing levels of laboratory complexity. Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy (PGT-A), which screens for the incorrect number of chromosomes, is the most common and least expensive form of testing. Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Monogenic Disorders (PGT-M) is used to identify specific single-gene defects, such as Cystic Fibrosis or Huntington’s disease, and is more costly.
The higher expense for PGT-M stems from the necessity of creating a custom-designed genetic probe, which is unique to the family’s specific mutation. The initial setup phase for this probe can cost between $3,000 and $4,750 before any embryos are analyzed. Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Structural Rearrangements (PGT-SR), used when a parent carries a chromosomal inversion or translocation, also requires a significant upfront investment for personalized test development.
Required Ancillary Costs and Fees
Beyond the core laboratory analysis fee, the PGT process requires several mandatory procedural and logistical expenses that contribute substantially to the overall bill. These ancillary costs are often overlooked when patients inquire about the cost of genetic testing. The most significant is the embryo biopsy fee, charged by the reproductive endocrinology clinic for removing a few cells from the embryo for testing.
The biopsy procedure is performed by a skilled embryologist and is billed separately from the genetic analysis, typically costing between $1,500 and $2,000 per cycle. After the cells are biopsied, they must be safely transported to the genetic testing lab, often requiring specialized courier services and cryo-shipping containers. The cost for shipping and handling the biopsied samples, along with the necessary cryopreservation of the embryos while awaiting results, can add between $1,000 and $3,000 to the total expense.
Additional fees include mandatory genetic counseling sessions, often required before PGT-M or PGT-SR to ensure the couple understands the risks and implications of the testing. While some clinics offer a flat-rate self-pay cost as low as $95 for counseling, others may bill it through insurance or at a higher rate. Long-term storage fees for any remaining frozen embryos are also a recurring annual or semi-annual expense that begins once testing is complete.
Navigating Insurance Coverage and Financial Assistance
Securing insurance coverage for Preimplantation Genetic Testing is often challenging. Most standard health insurance policies, and many state-mandated fertility benefits, consider PGT-A to be an elective procedure. It is rarely covered by default, even when the overall IVF cycle is partially reimbursed, though some specialized fertility benefits administrators have begun to cover PGT-A as part of their comprehensive packages.
Coverage for PGT-M and PGT-SR is more likely if the couple can demonstrate a medical necessity, such as a known family history of a severe single-gene disorder or recurrent pregnancy loss due to a parental chromosomal rearrangement. To qualify for coverage, patients must obtain pre-authorization from their insurance company. The diagnosis must meet strict, documented criteria, including a required history of genetic counseling. Without pre-authorization, patients are responsible for the full out-of-pocket payment.
To mitigate the high costs, many patients explore alternative financial avenues.
Financial Avenues for PGT
Some IVF clinics offer bundled pricing that includes the biopsy, analysis, and shipping for a fixed rate, which can be more economical than paying for each service separately. Major PGT laboratories often provide patient assistance programs designed to reduce the cost of probe creation for PGT-M, or offer payment plans to spread the expense over time. The costs of PGT, along with other out-of-pocket IVF expenses, may also be eligible for a tax deduction as a medical expense. This deduction is available only for costs that exceed 7.5% of the taxpayer’s Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) and requires itemizing deductions on the federal tax return.