Navigating your insurance benefits at IVF FLORIDA is an important step in your fertility journey. Understanding your coverage can help minimize out-of-pocket expenses and streamline your treatment process. This guide provides an overview of how to effectively navigate your insurance benefits and highlights common insurance codes related to fertility treatments.
Understanding your coverage
Initial consultation and treatment coverage: IVF FLORIDA patients often have insurance coverage for their initial consultation, and many have some coverage for infertility treatment.
Review your benefits summary: Obtain a copy of your benefits summary from your employer to understand what is covered under your plan. Be aware that benefits and out-of-pocket expenses can change annually.
Flexible spending accounts (FSA): Consider utilizing an FSA or Health Savings Account (HSA) to cover medical expenses not paid by insurance, such as deductibles, co-pays, and treatments not covered.
Verifying your benefits
Contact your HR department: If infertility coverage isn't listed in your benefits summary, reach out to your Human Resources department or benefits coordinator for clarification. They can provide detailed information about your specific plan.
Consult IVF FLORIDA Financial Educators: IVF FLORIDA's Financial Educators are available to explain treatment costs and help maximize your insurance benefits before starting therapy.
Gaining coverage
Employer-sponsored plans: Employers may offer plans that include infertility benefits. Discuss available options with your HR department.
Common insurance codes for fertility treatments
Familiarizing yourself with common insurance codes can facilitate discussions with your insurance provider and help ensure accurate billing. Here are some frequently used codes:
In vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures:
58970: Follicle puncture for oocyte retrieval
58974: Intrauterine embryo transfer
89250: Culture of oocyte(s)/embryo(s), less than 4 days
89254: Oocyte identification from follicular fluid
89268: Insemination of oocytes
89272: Extended culture of oocyte(s)/embryo(s), 4-7 days
Artificial insemination (AI) and intrauterine insemination (IUI):
89251: Culture of oocyte(s)/embryo(s), less than 4 days; with co-culture
89255: Preparation of embryo for transfer
89258: Cryopreservation; embryo
89261: Sperm isolation; complex prep (e.g., Percoll gradient, albumin gradient) for insemination or diagnosis
These codes are based on the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) system and are used for billing and insurance purposes. Discussing these codes with your provider and insurance company can help clarify coverage specifics. This list is regularly updated, and other codes could be billed for your treatment plan. Please speak with your Financial Educator for more information. This list is not a comprehensive list of all codes that may be billed but can serve as a helpful guide.
Additional tips
Pre-authorization: Some insurance plans require pre-authorization for certain fertility treatments. Ensure all necessary approvals are obtained before starting treatment to avoid unexpected expenses.
Keep detailed records: Maintain copies of all communications with your insurance company, including pre-authorizations, denials, and appeals.
Appeals process: If a claim is denied, don't hesitate to appeal. Provide additional documentation and work closely with your healthcare provider to support your case.
By proactively managing your insurance benefits and understanding the associated codes, you can navigate the financial aspects of your fertility treatment more effectively. For personalized assistance, contact IVF FLORIDA's Financial Educators who are ready to help you through this process.
A recent CBS Miami segment sheds light on a growing trend: more women over 40 are giving birth than teenagers, a shift fueled by personal choice, career planning, and advances in fertility care. IVF FLORIDA’s own Dr. Marcelo J. Barrionuevo, a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist, was featured in the story, offering key insight on why more individuals are delaying parenthood and how fertility care supports those choices. He emphasizes the importance of early fertility education and planning, empowering individuals to take control of their reproductive futures. Watch the full segment to hear Dr. Barrionuevo’s insights and learn more about the changing landscape of parenthood.
IVF FLORIDA supports the recent correspondence from the Fertility Providers Alliance (FPA) to the President in response to the February Executive Order on IVF. We support the recommendations for agency action and proposed legislation in four categories: Protecting Access to IVF; Increasing Awareness of IVF; Increasing Access to IVF; and Increasing Affordability of IVF. The full letter from the FPA is pasted below:
By email President Donald J. Trump 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington DC 20500
Re: Executive Order: Expanding Access to In Vitro Fertilization
Dear President Trump,
On behalf of the Fertility Providers Alliance (FPA), an organization committed to supporting fertility care providers, enhancing patient care, and helping patients build their own families, we are writing to provide enthusiastic support for the recent Executive Order: Expanding Access to In Vitro Fertilization (the “IVF EO”).
FPA Wishes to be a Resource to the Domestic Policy Council
We commend your Administration's interest in this issue and agree whole-heartedly with the President’s statements in the IVF EO that Americans need reliable, affordable access to IVF. We support the Administration in its goal to provide support, awareness, and access to affordable fertility treatments and are eager to collaborate with you to develop and ensure the successful implementation of policies that will achieve those goals.
The US currently has the best IVF success rates in the world because of our current access to care and technology. That is due to many factors but primarily because of the favorable regulatory climate. We look forward to working with the Administration on policies that build on this success.
As an initial matter, we would respectfully suggest the following policy goals for your consideration:
Protecting Access to IVF
Agency Action – Health and Human Services FPA suggests that you require the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to, consistent with applicable law, take all appropriate actions to promote access to infertility treatment, including IVF, and standard fertility preservation services, including by issuing regulatory and sub- regulatory actions, which may involve the following laws, programs, issues, or documents:
Medicare or Medicaid conditions of participation or conditions for coverage (i.e., requiring IVF treatment and services to be part of each state’s Medicaid coverage).
Promulgate regulatory and sub-regulatory guidance specifically stating that physician consultation in connection with infertility treatment and fertility preservation may be performed via telemedicine.
Update Affordable Care Act Essential Health Benefits (EHB) requirements to include fertility services by defining the existing EHB for maternity and newborn care to include infertility treatment, including IVF, and standard fertility preservation services.
Remove any regulatory prohibition on issuers (i.e., insurance companies that issue plans available on the ACA marketplace) and allow states to add infertility treatment, including IVF, and standard fertility preservation services as an EHB by updating their EHB-benchmark plans.
Revise EHB prescription drug benefit requirements to include medications associated with infertility treatment and fertility preservation.
Agency Action – Tort Reform FPA suggests that you require the Department of Justice to convene State Governors and Attorneys General to coordinate efforts and develop tort reform initiatives to discourage or eliminate fertility services-specific causes of action that are duplicative of existing state law causes of action (such as those for personal injury, professional liability, and negligence).
Recommended Legislation – Right of Access to Fertility Treatments FPA suggests that you encourage Congress to introduce and enact legislation that provides a statutory right to access infertility treatment, including IVF, and standard fertility preservation services.
Recommended Legislation - ERISA FPA suggests that you encourage Congress to introduce and enact legislation that requires private insurers that cover obstetrical services to also cover infertility treatment, including IVF, and standard fertility preservation services.
Increasing Awareness of IVF
Agency Action – Health and Human Services FPA suggests that you require the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to develop and publish resources on the topic of infertility treatment, including IVF, and fertility preservation, such as developing a “Featured Topic Site” on the HHS website.
Increasing Access to IVF
Agency Action – Health and Human Services FPA suggests that you encourage Congress to introduce and enact legislation to address the growing need for reproductive endocrinologists (REIs) and embryologists through creation of a health workforce grant program at the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
Agency Action – Health and Human Services FPA suggests that you encourage the Congress to introduce and enact legislation to incentivize and support the creation of new residency tracks to train REIs and embryologists at academic medical centers and universities nationwide, especially those that commit to sending health professionals to practice at least part time in under-and-unserved areas.
Increasing Affordability of IVF
Agency Action – Department of Defense FPA suggests that you require the Department of Defense to review the scope of TRICARE coverage for infertility treatment, including IVF, and standard fertility preservation services, and to direct TRICARE to provide reimbursement for infertility treatment, including IVF, and standard fertility preservation services. Currently, TRICARE only covers IVF services when they are provided within a limited number of Military Treatment Facilities.1 FPA urges you to require the Department of Defense to expand coverage for IVF services to include services provided outside of an MTF, and to amend the TRICARE provider handbook to include infertility treatment, including IVF, and standard fertility preservation services for covered persons, their partners and third-party donors (if applicable).
Agency Action – Department of Health and Human Services FPA suggests that you require the Department of Health and Human Services to review the scope of coverage for infertility treatment, including IVF, and standard fertility preservation services under the Medicare and in particular the Medicaid program, and to direct CMS to provide coverage for infertility treatment, including IVF, and standard fertility preservation services under Medicare and Medicaid.
Agency Action – Office of Personnel Management FPA suggests that you require the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to include provisions in the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) and Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) programs call letter for the 2026 Plan Year specifying that eligible carriers, including the Foreign Service Benefit Plan, to provide coverage for infertility treatment, including IVF, and standard fertility preservation services to covered persons, partners and third-party donors (if applicable).
Agency Action – Secretary of Veterans Affairs FPA suggests that you direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide coverage for infertility treatment, including IVF, and standard fertility preservation services to covered persons, partners and third-party donors (if applicable).
Recommended Legislation – Internal Revenue Service FPA suggests that you encourage Congress to introduce and enact legislation to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to establish a tax credit for in vitro fertilization expenses. We also suggest that you encourage Congress to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to establish a tax credit for assisted reproductive technology expenses up to $20,000 and to expand eligibility for health savings accounts and increase the current contribution limits.
Millions of Americans have used fertility services, including IVF, to build their families. We appreciate the President and this administration’s highlighting the importance of these services, and in particular appreciate your work in developing policy initiatives to support access, awareness and affordability of infertility treatment, including IVF, and standard fertility preservation services.
On behalf of healthcare providers dedicated to helping Americans achieve their dreams of parenthood, we thank you for your leadership and commitment to expanding access to fertility treatments.
Members of our Board of Directors would appreciate an opportunity to discuss these policies with the leadership of the Domestic Policy Council. We can be reached through our Executive Director, Ross Weber, at (847)-264-5924 and ross@wjweiser.com to identify a time to meet in Washington or in a venue of the Domestic Policy Council’s choice.
1 IVF Services are provided only at the following Military Treatment Facilities: Fort Sam Brooke Army Medical Center (San Antonio, TX); Tripler Army Medical Center (Honolulu, HI); Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (Bethesda, MD); Womack Army Medical Center (Ft. Bragg, NC); Naval Medical Center (San Diego, CA); and Madigan Army Medical Center (Tacoma, WA).
Taking the first step toward fertility care is a big decision, and we’re here to make it as seamless and supportive as possible. We understand that scheduling your initial appointment can feel overwhelming, but our dedicated team is ready to guide you through every step.
Scheduling your first fertility appointment
Our New Patient Center is here to help you get started with your fertility journey. When you speak with a New Patient Center liaison, they can provide you with information on financial programs, treatment options, and what to expect at your first fertility appointment, ensuring you feel prepared and confident. Many of our team members have been IVF FLORIDA patients themselves and deeply understand the fertility journey.
When you call to schedule, there are a few details you’ll want to have on-hand:
your insurance card
your partner’s demographic information, if applicable
your fertility history
how you were referred to IVF FLORIDA
When you schedule your fertility appointment, you will have the option to select:
Preference of in-office or virtual consultation
Preferred location – IVF FLORIDA has eight convenient locations to choose from
Your physician — this is the doctor who will guide you throughout your fertility journey
Preparing for your first fertility appointment
Once your appointment is scheduled, you’ll receive a secure text and email from Phreesia, our HIPAA-compliant patient intake system. Through Phreesia, you’ll need to complete a few items prior to being seen for your appointment.
Complete your new patient forms
Upload a photo of your insurance card and driver’s license
Provide any relevant medical records
Include a payment method on file
Completing this paperwork at least three business days before your appointment allows your care team to review your history in advance.
If you have previous fertility or reproductive health records, please upload them to your patient portal or fax them to your chosen IVF FLORIDA office.
What to expect at your first fertility specialist appointment
Your initial fertility consultation is a comprehensive evaluation that typically lasts 45 to 90 minutes. During this visit, you’ll meet with your physician to discuss your medical history, fertility goals, and next steps. Your doctor will explain the recommended fertility testing, and after the appointment, your Care Coordinator will help schedule any necessary diagnostic tests.
“The first fertility appointment is an opportunity for an open conversation about your family-building goals,” shares Dr. Chip Timmons, who sees patients at IVF FLORIDA’s Margate location. “It can be normal to feel nervous, but that visit can provide a lot of insight into why fertility can be very challenging for some, and the subsequent fertility testing that is recommended potentially allows us to identify areas that we could intervene either through fertility treatments, or surgical procedures that maximize patients chance to conceive.”
For patients interested in egg freezing, diagnostic testing may need to be completed before the consultation.
After your fertility appointment
A few days following your visit, your dedicated Financial Educator will provide personalized financial and insurance information through your IVF FLORIDA patient portal.
Ready to take the next step?
If you’re ready to move forward with fertility care, we’re here to support you. Call our New Patient Center at 954-247-6200or fill out our brief form to schedule your first appointment and start your journey toward parenthood with confidence.
At IVF FLORIDA, we are dedicated to helping all patients create families. Fertility challenges affect women across all demographics, but Black women encounter unique obstacles that can hinder their access to effective fertility care. Understanding these challenges and the available support is crucial for improving reproductive health outcomes within the Black community.
Understanding racial disparities in fertility care
Research has shown that Black women are half as likely to seek fertility treatment services than white women. Several factors contribute to this disparity, including:
Limited access to care due to socioeconomic factors. Even when patients have access to fertility care, Black women seek an infertility evaluation at lower rates and discontinue fertility treatments at higher rates as compared to other patients.1
Seeking fertility treatment later. Due to educational barriers and stigmas surrounding reproductive care, Black women are often seeking fertility care later than other patient populations.
Mistrust in the healthcare system stemming from historical inequalities and implicit biases.
Higher infertility rates. Research shows that Black women experience infertility more often than other demographics.
Lower IVF success rates. Research shows Black women undergoing fertility treatments such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), have lower clinical pregnancy and live birth rates compared with white women even after controlling for various factors.2
In an award-winning study, IVF FLORIDA researchers found that Black patients respond just as well to fertility medications that stimulate egg production by producing as many eggs as possible and often producing better-quality embryos than white patients. However, Black women still had lower pregnancy rates and higher miscarriage rates.3
While clinical factors such as uterine fibroids have been suggested to influence this disparity, implicit biases in referral patterns and the care given to women of color also play a role. This highlights the importance of early intervention, comprehensive care, and continued research to close the gap in fertility treatment success.
It is essential to recognize and understand the racial disparities that exist in fertility care so we can better support our patients. IVF FLORIDA is dedicated to continuing research on racial and ethnic disparities and providing better access to fertility care for Black women through providing resources and support for our patients.
Four essential tips for Black women navigating fertility care
Seek fertility care sooner
Age is the number one predictor of female fertility. However, stigmas surrounding infertility, cultural misconceptions about hyperfertility, and lack of trust in medical professionals often lead Black women to delay seeking fertility treatment.
By seeking a fertility evaluation sooner rather than later, patients can receive an early diagnosis and maximize their chances of successful fertility treatment. Our compassionate care team is here to listen, support, and ultimately help you achieve your family-building goals.
Address pre-existing medical conditions
Black women are disproportionately affected by certain fertility-related conditions, including:
Uterine fibroids (which affect up to 80% of Black women by age 50)4
Blocked Fallopian tubes
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Obesity and metabolic disorders
By staying proactive with regular OB/GYN visits and addressing these conditions early, you can improve your reproductive health and fertility treatment success.
Use IVF FLORIDA’s fertility resources and support
You don’t have to go through fertility treatment alone. IVF FLORIDA offers free educational resources, support groups, and events to help patients feel informed and empowered.
Explore IVF FLORIDA’s Resource Library, featuring informative content from our experts for our patients
Engage with fellow patients online. Follow IVF FLORIDA on Instagram.
Learn about insurance coverage and IVF FLORIDA'S financial programs and grants
IVF FLORIDA participates with many insurance plans and offers innovative financial programs and discounts to make fertility treatment more affordable.
To learn more about insurance coverage and financial assistance options, call our New Patient Center at 954-247-6200.
Breaking barriers, building families
At IVF FLORIDA, we recognize the unique challenges Black women face in their fertility journey, and we are committed to providing compassionate, expert care to help you achieve your dream of parenthood.
IVF FLORIDA is here to support you every step of the way. If you're ready to take the first step, schedule a consultation with an IVF FLORIDA fertility specialist today.
Korkidakis, Ann et al. (2024) “Determinants of utilization of infertility services by race and ethnicity in a state with a comprehensive infertility mandate.” Fertility and Sterility, In press.
Jackson-Bey, T., Morris, J., Jasper, E., Velez Edwards, DR., Thornton, K., Richard-Davis, G., Plowden, T. (2021) “Systematic Review of Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility: Where Do We Stand Today?” Fertility and Sterility Reviews. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xfnr.2021.05.001.
Bishop, L. A., Devine, K., Sasson, I. E., Plowden, T., Hill, M. J., DeCherney, A. H., Richter, K. (2018). “African American patients experience reduced pregnancy, higher pregnancy loss, and lower live birth from IVF embryo transfers despite producing more oocytes and more transfer quality embryos than Caucasian patients.” Fertility and Sterility, Volume 110, Issue 4, e6.
Eltoukhi H.M., Modi M.N., Weston M., Armstrong A.Y., Stewart E.A. “The health disparities of uterine fibroid tumors for African American women: a public health issue.” Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2014 Mar;210(3):194-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2013.08.008. Epub 2013 Aug 11. PMID: 23942040; PMCID: PMC3874080.
