IUI Cost in 2026 — What You'll Actually Pay
IUI (intrauterine insemination) costs $300–$1,500 per cycle at a fertility clinic, before monitoring and medications. A stimulated cycle with injectables can reach $1,500–$3,000. Here is a complete cost breakdown — and how to pay less.
$300–$600
per cycle
Natural IUI (no meds)
$600–$1,200
per cycle
Stimulated IUI (oral meds)
$1,500–$3,000
per cycle
Stimulated IUI (injectables)
~10×
cheaper per cycle
IUI vs IVF savings
Complete IUI Cost Breakdown
The IUI sticker price rarely tells the whole story. Here is every line item to budget for:
| Cost Item | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| IUI procedure (sperm wash + insemination) | $300–$600 |
| Monitoring ultrasounds (1–3 visits) | $150–$600 |
| Bloodwork (E2, LH, progesterone) | $100–$300 |
| Oral medications (Clomid / Letrozole) | $20–$100 |
| Injectable medications (gonadotropins) | $500–$1,500 |
| Ovulation trigger shot (hCG / Lupron) | $50–$200 |
| Donor sperm (if applicable) | $500–$1,200 |
Always request an itemized quote. Clinics bundle and bill these items differently. Ask for the monitoring protocol upfront — a cycle requiring 3 ultrasounds and two blood draws can add $600–$1,000 to the base IUI fee.
What the IUI Quote Usually Includes (and Doesn't)
Typically included in the IUI fee:
- Sperm washing / preparation
- Insemination catheter placement
- Post-wash sperm count and motility check
- Clinic consultation for that cycle
Usually billed separately:
- Monitoring ultrasounds ($150–$400 each)
- Bloodwork (E2, LH, progesterone)
- Ovulation trigger injection
- Ovarian stimulation medications
- Donor sperm vial (if using donor)
- Initial fertility workup / HSG test
IUI Cost vs. IVF Cost — Full Comparison
IUI is dramatically cheaper per cycle — but per-cycle success rates are also lower. Understanding cost-per-live-birth helps you decide which path makes financial sense for your situation.
| Factor | IUI | IVF |
|---|---|---|
| Base procedure cost | $300–$1,500 | $10,000–$15,000 |
| Medications | $20–$1,500 | $3,000–$7,000 |
| Total cycle cost | $500–$3,000 | $15,000–$25,000 |
| Success rate per cycle (under 35) | 10–20% | 40–50% |
| Invasiveness | Minimal (outpatient, no anesthesia) | Moderate (egg retrieval under sedation) |
| Fertilization location | In the body (natural) | In the lab (in vitro) |
| Time per cycle | 2–3 weeks | 3–6 weeks |
| Insurance coverage | Often covered in mandate states | Covered in some mandate states |
When IUI is the smarter choice
If you are under 38, have open fallopian tubes, no severe male factor, and are willing to try 3–6 cycles, IUI's lower cost per cycle makes it a reasonable first step. Cumulative success rates over 6 cycles approach 65% for women under 35.
When IVF is more cost-effective
If you are 38+, have a known factor requiring IVF (blocked tubes, severe male factor, need for PGT-A), or have failed 3+ IUI cycles, IVF's higher per-cycle success rate means fewer total cycles — which can lower your total cost to pregnancy.
Insurance Coverage for IUI — States with Mandates
These states require state-regulated insurance plans to cover fertility treatments including IUI. Note: self-funded employer plans governed by ERISA are not subject to state mandates — check your plan documents or call your HR department.
| State | IUI Insurance Coverage |
|---|---|
| Illinois | Mandates IUI coverage after 12 months of infertility |
| New Jersey | Mandates IUI and IVF coverage for qualifying patients |
| Maryland | Requires IUI coverage for diagnosed infertility |
| Massachusetts | IUI covered under the MA fertility mandate |
| Connecticut | IUI and IVF mandated for state-regulated plans |
| New York | Broad fertility mandate includes IUI coverage |
| Texas | HMO plans must cover one IUI cycle per year |
| California | Employer plans may cover IUI; no universal mandate |
6 Ways to Reduce Your IUI Cost
IUI is already the most affordable clinical fertility treatment. These strategies can reduce it further.
Verify your insurance benefits
Call your insurer and ask specifically whether IUI is covered as a "fertility treatment" or "treatment for infertility." Request the exact benefit codes covered.
Ask about multi-cycle packages
Many clinics offer 3-cycle packages at a 10–20% discount. If your doctor recommends multiple IUI cycles, bundling saves money.
Check for clinical trials
ClinicalTrials.gov lists fertility studies that may provide IUI treatment at reduced or no cost. Search "IUI" or "intrauterine insemination" at your nearest academic medical center.
Consider natural (unstimulated) IUI first
If you are under 35 with regular cycles and no known ovulatory issues, natural IUI (no medications) dramatically reduces per-cycle cost to $300–$600.
Use employer fertility benefits
Large employers (tech, finance, government) increasingly offer fertility benefits. Open enrollment is your opportunity to select the highest-value fertility plan.
Explore RESOLVE grants
RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association maintains a database of financial assistance programs and fertility grants for eligible patients.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does IUI cost on average?
The IUI procedure itself costs $300–$1,500 per cycle. With monitoring and medications, a stimulated IUI cycle typically totals $600–$1,200 with oral medications (Clomid/Letrozole) or $1,500–$3,000 with injectable gonadotropins. This is significantly less than IVF, which averages $15,000–$25,000 per full cycle with medications.
Does insurance cover IUI?
It depends on your state and plan. States including Illinois, New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York mandate that state-regulated insurance plans cover IUI. Even in non-mandate states, some employer plans offer fertility benefits. Check your Summary of Benefits and Coverage or call your insurer with the CPT code 58322 (intrauterine insemination).
How many IUI cycles will I need?
Most reproductive endocrinologists recommend 3–6 IUI cycles before considering IVF. For women under 35 with unexplained infertility, 3–6 cycles gives cumulative success rates approaching 65%. Patients 38+ or those with specific diagnoses may be advised to move to IVF sooner, after 2–3 failed IUI cycles.
Is natural IUI (no medications) an option?
Yes — natural IUI in a spontaneous ovulatory cycle is an option for patients with regular cycles and no ovulatory dysfunction. It costs $300–$600 per cycle and avoids medication costs and side effects. Success rates per cycle are slightly lower than stimulated IUI, but the lower cost makes multiple natural cycles a reasonable approach for selected patients.
Find IUI Clinics Near You
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