Gender selection is a procedure that’s growing in popularity. In the United States, gender selection is done in conjunction with several procedures including in vitro fertilization (IVF) and genetic screening.
During sex selection, the embryo is either given a second X chromosome or a Y chromosome, depending on a couple’s desired sex of their next child. It’s often done for family balancing or to prevent a genetic disease that affects one gender disproportionately.
So, how much does gender selection cost in the United States? Does health insurance or Medi-Share cover it? What will the medical bills look like?
Gender Selection Basics
When determining gender selection cost, it’s important to factor in all of the health care steps the procedure entails. As mentioned, IVF and embryo testing both play a big role. So do additional medical expenses like prescription medications and egg retrieval. Costs may even vary from state-to-state. Some states may have specialized clinics or programs with a high success rate that offer patient protection and reduced costs. In other states, reproductive medicine comes at a premium medical cost.
For a general ballpark figure, genetic testing, genetic diagnosis, and gender selection processes will cost several thousand dollars. This number could climb into the tens of thousands depending on your chosen fertility clinic. You may be wondering if you can skip the screening for genetic disorders, too.
Few clinics will advise this or permit it. Not only will it examine both sperm and eggs for chromosomal abnormalities but it will also factor in disorders that could be passed down by family members. It often screens for disorders caused by the sex chromosome such as muscular dystrophy, fragile X syndrome, and other medical conditions. This is to present the resulting embryo from having health complications which can occur even if you and your partner lead a healthy lifestyle. There are few medical reasons why the genetic testing wouldn’t take place, and such exemptions are incredibly rare.
Once the testing is complete, the embryo undergoes the implant process. This embryo transfer is called intrauterine insemination and is done during peak fertility for the highest success rate. This may require fertility treatment first. After this procedure, you’ll likely be placed on prescription drugs with a monthly payment. You’ll also have to attend frequent doctor visits during the pregnancy.
Since gender selection can be expensive, does traditional insurance cover it? How will you pay for the cost of gender selection?
Sex Selection, Medical Expenses, and Health Care
You may think the better choice during all of this is to try your traditional insurance, but some policies don’t cover some (or all) of the procedures like preimplantation genetic testing. Some may not even cover sperm sample analysis or testing on hormone levels. Your health care costs can skyrocket at this time, regardless of whether you want male children or a little girl. You may even think Medi-Share is a solid option, but you’ll soon see that MediShare alternatives are much more viable. Some Medi-Share alternatives cover eligible medical bills, and former members of Medi-Share often report greater satisfaction after switching.
Ultimately, finding the right level of health care coverage will come down to your unique needs and whether or not you have any exemptions from eligible medical bills or any genetic conditions that need to be addressed. You can also look for a not-for-profit organization that helps cover eligible medical bills.
Gender selection can be a blessing for family balancing, preventative care, and reproductive medicine as a whole. As long as you’ve done adequate research, you should be well-prepared for all the procedures and the implant process.
