How To Pick A Fertility Clinic

With more than 400 egg freezing clinics in the country, how do you pick the right one for you? For those who have decided you’re going to freeze your eggs (congrats!), we outline the key criteria that you should evaluate in each clinic. For those not committed to the egg freezing process but curious, check-out Egg Freezing 101.

1. Success Rates Matter

Just like a manager reviews job candidates’ resumes, you should be assessing each clinic’s success rates. The Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) publish success rates to make cross-clinic comparison easier. The information provided on these sites can tell you the success rates of patients using their own eggs vs donor eggs, those using gestational carriers, those using frozen embryos, and more. Just pay attention to the age-specific rates provided to get the best picture of what your experience may look like, and make sure to discuss age- and other health-related factors with your OBGYN or fertility specialist. 

2. Price Transparency and Insurance

Egg freezing is riddled with price ambiguity. Just to get a price quote for the costs of the procedure, you need to call the clinic and do a 30 minute-1 hour intake assessment. Luckily, Freeze.Health has done the heavy lifting for us by calling nearly all the clinics in the U.S. and transcribing the price and insurance data into a clinic comparison tool.

While budgeting, you’ll need to account for the costs of each step of the process, including medication, egg retrieval, storage, and future thawing and fertilization procedures. Remember, most insurance companies still consider egg freezing an “elective procedure” (😤) and expect you to pay out-of-pocket. If this is your case, ask your employer about financial sponsorship for the procedures.

3. Experience and Expertise

Look for a clinic with a seasoned team of reproductive endocrinologists, embryologists, and support staff. Their experience can greatly influence the process and outcomes. Don't hesitate to ask about the credentials and specialties of the team members who will be involved in your care or look up their patient reviews on third-party sites like ZocDoc.

4. Technological Edge

The field of reproductive medicine is constantly evolving, with new techniques and technologies emerging regularly. Ensure that the clinic you choose uses state-of-the-art technology for egg freezing, commonly known as vitrification, which has significantly improved success rates.

5. Personalized Care Approach

Each woman's fertility journey is unique. During consultations, pay attention to how the staff addresses your concerns and whether they tailor their approach to fit your specific needs. They should also be transparent about costs, potential risks, and success probabilities.

Additionally, consider the clinic's atmosphere and location. Some clinics will not allow you to transfer eggs frozen at another clinic, so choose a place that can adapt to your needs. A welcoming, comfortable environment can ease the stress of the process. Proximity to your home or workplace can also make the frequent visits (4-5x office visits during the 8-12 day pre-retrieval period) more convenient.

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TL;DR: Not all clinics were created equal. Use the 5 key criteria above to help you find a provider best fit for your goals.

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*The information provided is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or any other qualified healthcare provider with questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.