Penn Fertility Care is the reproductive endocrinology and infertility program affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania Health System (Penn Medicine), located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The program operates under the broader Penn Medicine umbrella and is registered in some databases under the University of Pennsylvania Medical Group entity. Patients seeking care at this location are receiving services from one of the premier academic medical center fertility programs in the northeastern United States. Philadelphia is a major hub for medical care in the mid-Atlantic region, and Penn Fertility Care draws patients from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and beyond. For a statewide resource, visit our Pennsylvania fertility clinics directory.
Physicians and Clinical Team
Penn Fertility Care is staffed by reproductive endocrinologists who hold faculty appointments at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. The physicians are board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology with subspecialty board certification in reproductive endocrinology and infertility. Many are active researchers whose work spans ovarian biology, recurrent pregnancy loss, endometriosis, and assisted reproductive technology outcomes. The clinical team includes fellows in reproductive endocrinology training, reproductive nurses, certified embryologists, genetic counselors, and patient coordinators. The academic medical center structure means patients benefit from access to multidisciplinary expertise across Penn Medicine specialties when complex cases require it.
Services and Treatments
Penn Fertility Care provides a comprehensive range of reproductive medicine services:
- Diagnostic evaluation — complete hormonal assessment, antral follicle count, hysterosalpingography, saline infusion sonography, semen analysis, and genetic screening
- Ovulation induction — letrozole, clomiphene citrate, and injectable gonadotropin protocols
- Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
- In vitro fertilization (IVF) — conventional stimulation and individualized protocols
- Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
- Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT-A and PGT-M) — chromosomal and single-gene disorder screening
- Frozen embryo transfer (FET) — natural cycle and medicated protocols
- Fertility preservation — oocyte and embryo cryopreservation for elective or medical reasons (including oncofertility)
- Third-party reproduction — donor egg, donor sperm, and gestational surrogacy coordination
- Recurrent pregnancy loss evaluation — including immunologic, anatomic, genetic, and thrombophilic workup
- Male infertility evaluation and treatment — in coordination with Penn urology
Laboratory and Success Rates
Penn Fertility Care's laboratory operates within the academic medical center standard, with rigorous quality control and participation in external benchmarking. The embryology laboratory employs advanced vitrification cryopreservation, time-lapse embryo monitoring, and extended blastocyst culture as standard practice. PGT-A is performed through certified genetics partners. The academic setting enables ongoing refinement of laboratory protocols driven by active research programs.
Patients should review the most current cycle-level data published by the CDC's ART Surveillance program and the SART Clinic Summary Report.
Patient Experience
Patients at Penn Fertility Care benefit from the resources of a major academic medical center while receiving personalized reproductive care. The Philadelphia campus is accessible via public transit (SEPTA) and the clinical team is experienced in coordinating care for patients who travel from outside the immediate area. Patients with complex diagnoses — such as premature ovarian insufficiency, severe endometriosis, or significant uterine anomalies — may particularly benefit from the multidisciplinary expertise available through Penn Medicine. Wait times for initial consultations can be longer at academic programs than at private practices; prospective patients are encouraged to call early.
Considering At-Home Insemination?
Not every fertility journey begins in a clinic. For individuals and couples exploring their options before pursuing formal medical treatment — or those working with a known sperm donor — at-home insemination kits offer a private, lower-cost first step. MakeAMom offers FDA-cleared at-home insemination systems designed for a variety of needs: the CryoBaby kit works with frozen or low-volume sperm, the Impregnator kit is optimized for low motility sperm, and the BabyMaker kit is designed for users with sensitivities or conditions such as vaginismus. All kits are reusable and shipped in plain, discreet packaging. MakeAMom reports an average 67% success rate among clients who use their home insemination systems. At-home insemination is not a replacement for medical care when underlying conditions are present, but it can be a meaningful starting point — and knowing when to consult a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist is the right next step.
Insurance and Financing
Pennsylvania does not have a comprehensive state IVF insurance mandate. However, many employer-sponsored plans — particularly large employers in the Philadelphia metro — voluntarily cover fertility treatment as a benefit. Penn Fertility Care's financial counseling team works with patients to verify specific insurance benefits and identify applicable coverage.
Penn Medicine offers financial counseling services to help patients navigate billing and financing options. Patients should request a detailed cost estimate before starting treatment, particularly for add-on services such as PGT-A, genetic counseling, and anesthesia.
Mandate states for reference: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, and Rhode Island require insurers to cover IVF and related treatments. New Jersey patients who cross the border to receive care at Penn may still be entitled to mandate benefits depending on their plan structure; consult a benefits specialist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Penn Fertility Care the same as the University of Pennsylvania Medical Group fertility program? Yes. The clinical fertility services are delivered through Penn Fertility Care, which is part of Penn Medicine's OB/GYN department and operates under the University of Pennsylvania Health System. The entity name "University of Pennsylvania Medical Group" reflects the broader organizational structure. Patients are treated by the same physicians and in the same clinical facilities.
Does Penn Fertility Care accept patients with complex or rare diagnoses? Yes. As an academic medical center program, Penn Fertility Care is well suited to managing complex cases including premature ovarian insufficiency, Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome, Turner syndrome, severe endometriosis, and hereditary cancer syndromes requiring PGT-M. These cases may benefit from coordination with Penn's genetics, oncology, or urology departments.
Can I receive monitoring close to home and only travel to Philadelphia for retrieval? In some situations, Penn Fertility Care can coordinate with local OB/GYN practices or monitoring-only facilities for cycle monitoring, reducing the number of trips to Philadelphia. Discuss this option with your care coordinator if distance is a concern.
What is oncofertility, and does Penn offer it? Oncofertility refers to fertility preservation for patients facing cancer treatment that may impair future fertility. Penn Fertility Care offers urgent consultations for newly diagnosed patients who wish to freeze eggs or embryos before starting chemotherapy or radiation. The program coordinates closely with Penn Medicine oncology teams.