The Real Cost of Trying to Conceive: Options Like Fertility Grants for Affording IVF When Insurance Doesn’t Cover It

"I did hyperventilate because of the cost. That, to me, was one of the most overwhelming parts." That is how Lauren Clements describes the moment she realized IVF was her only path to a family, and it is exactly why this conversation matters so much.

This week we sit down with Lauren Clements, founder and CEO of Brilora Fertility Foundation, and Charla Grimm, the organization's Community and Brand Relations Director, for an honest and hopeful look at the real cost of trying to conceive. We get into how fertility grants actually work, what they cover, what they don't, and how families can find real financial support when insurance falls short. Whether you are facing the cost of IVF yourself, supporting someone who is, or work in the fertility space, Lauren and Charla bring both hard-won expertise and deep personal experience to a topic that carries so much financial and emotional weight.

In this episode, we cover:

• What Brilora's IVF and surrogacy grants actually cover, and the costs (like medications and anesthesia) that often fall outside them
• How Brilora protects grant recipients' privacy and autonomy, and why sharing your story is always optional
• The states where Brilora's grants are currently available, and where the organization is headed next
• Why genetic testing (like PGT) matters more than people often realize, especially for conditions like Huntington's disease and cystic fibrosis
• How the name Brilora came to be, and the story behind its predecessor, Chosen Fertility
• How to apply for Brilora's upcoming fall grant cycle, open September 1st through November 1st
• Ways to get involved, whether you are a patient, a provider, or simply someone who wants to help

More than anything, this episode is a reminder that the financial side of fertility care does not have to be carried alone, that there are people and organizations built specifically to help, and that asking for support is not something to feel guilty about.

If you are facing the cost of fertility treatment, know someone who is, or want to understand what financial support actually looks like, this episode is for you.

Connect with Brilora Fertility Foundation:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brilorafertility/Website: https://www.brilorafertility.com/Grants: https://brilorafertility.com/grants/