Wondering how to make sense of IVF costs—and what’s actually included? You’re not alone.

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At our East Bay IVF lab and fertility clinic, Collab Fertility, we know that choosing to pursue fertility treatment is a deeply personal decision—one that involves emotional, physical, and financial considerations. That’s why in addition to providing compassionate care and cutting-edge treatments, we’re committed to clear, empathetic, and transparent communication every step of the way.

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To help demystify the financial side of IVF, we sat down with Mary Bennett, our Finance Manager, to talk about how Collab supports patients through insurance questions, financing options, and access to helpful programs.

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Does insurance cover IVF?

One of the most common questions Mary hears is: Does insurance cover any part of IVF?

Mary estimates that around 30% of Collab patients have some fertility coverage.

“But, it's all over the map. Sometimes they have lifetime coverage of $10,000, sometimes $25,000, sometimes unlimited.”

Collab is in-network with United Healthcare, Cigna, Hill Physicians, Health Net, and Carrot. For non-contracted health plans, we will provide a detailed receipt of services and will help our patients submit directly to their insurance carrier to maximize reimbursement.

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If infertility treatments are not listed in your Benefits Summary, Mary recommends contacting your HR department or employer's benefits coordinator. Keep in mind that calling your insurance company may not provide the answers you need, as your employer determines the specifics of the benefits they offer.

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Once you become a patient with us, we will assist you by completing an in-depth benefit estimation. Our medical billing and insurance specialists will be available to answer any questions, ensuring you understand your coverage and any out-of-pocket costs.

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Fertility financing made simple

For patients paying out-of-pocket or looking for flexible options, Collab partners with PatientFi, CapexMD, and Maven Wallet to provide affordable, stress-free financing options for fertility treatments.

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Collab also offers multi-cycle packages for patients pursuing more than one IVF cycle.

“What’s happening,” Mary says, “is that some people want to have back-to-back cycles so they can freeze embryos. These packages give them that opportunity.”

Storage, anesthesia, and PGT are billed separately, and Mary and the team walk each patient through what’s included.

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IVF discounts and support programs

In addition to insurance and financing, Collab helps patients explore various discount and support programs.

“We work with Livestrong for cancer patients. They’ll often cover the medication cost if the patient qualifies.”

Mary notes that Livestrong assistance is based on income, and the team can help patients determine eligibility.

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Other available support includes:

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• A 10% discount for military, teachers, first responders, and cancer patients.
• Referrals to organizations like the Jewish Free Loan Association, the Jewish Fertility Foundation, and Hebrew Free Loan, which offer loans for fertility care

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Transparent, supportive billing

One of Collab’s founding goals was to take the confusion out of fertility billing. “We detail everything on the financial agreement and aim to make things easy for patients to understand,” Mary says.

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Mary brings warmth, clarity, and advocacy to every patient interaction. “I always try to pump them up for a successful cycle,” she says. “We have a state-of-the-art IVF lab and skilled people who truly care. I want to ensure our patients feel supported and informed.”

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At Collab, transparency isn’t just a billing value—it’s part of our patient-first care model. We’re here to walk with you every step of the way. Make an appointment today. We can’t wait to help you build the family of your dreams.

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Thinking about the future? Consider egg freezing

Egg freezing is an empowering, cost-effective option for people who aren’t ready to start a family just yet but want to preserve their fertility for the future.

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At Collab Fertility, an egg freezing cycle includes:

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• Egg retrieval
• Lab work and freezing
• Six months of storage
  

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Why does timing matter?
Biologically, egg quality and quantity decline with age — especially after age 35. Freezing eggs at a younger age helps preserve your healthiest eggs, giving you more options (and higher success rates) down the road.

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Who’s it for?
Anyone who wants to keep their options open — whether you're focused on your career, not ready to parent, or planning for future medical treatments.

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Bonus: Some companies now offer egg freezing as a benefit. Check with your HR department to see what’s available.

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Learn more about egg freezing at Collab Fertility.

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Mary Breen Bennett, Finance and HR Manager

Dedicated to helping people grow their families, Mary collaborates with patients, ensuring every financial transaction is handled with precision and transparency. As part of Collab’s patient-first approach, she works closely with each person to simplify and streamline the financial aspects of the journey and diligently pursues insurance coverage for treatments.

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With over four decades of experience in medical practice management, Mary spent half of her career as a director of operations in fertility care. Her extensive background also includes roles as a practice administrator for multidisciplinary medical practices and a pediatric office manager.

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She resides with her husband in Indiana, where she enjoys daily walks with her dogs and passionately supports the New England Patriots.

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Proudly Supporting Local Communities
Collab Fertility is honored to serve families in the East Bay like Danville, Alamo, Orinda, Lafayette, Moraga, Piedmont, and Walnut Creek, as well as many other communities in the Bay Area and beyond, including Oakland, San Ramon, Concord, Pleasant Hill, Santa Rosa, Novato, Napa, Sonoma, and more.

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