Would You Pay For A Baby? The New IVF Insurance That Promises A Money-Back Guarantee

For decades, in vitro fertilization (IVF) has been a financial and emotional gamble—a process that often leaves couples drained of both hope and savings. Now, one San Francisco-based startup, Future Family, is introducing an insurance model that feels almost surreal: pay up to $8,000, and if you don't have a baby, you get your money back.

Sound too good to be true? Here's what you need to know.

Claire Tomkins, CEO and co-founder of Future Family, describes her company's new offering, Orange Shield, as the equivalent of trip insurance—but for having a child. The model is straightforward:
- Pay 20% upfront before starting an IVF cycle.
- If you don't have a baby after two cycles (or experience a pregnancy loss within two weeks of birth), you file a claim and get reimbursed.

Considering the fact that two IVF cycles can cost $40,000 or more, this insurance aims to offer financial security to those navigating the complex world of fertility treatments.

The plan, backed by Munich Re Ventures, charges an average of $3,000 down and $999 per month for five months, covering all IVF-related expenses up to a maximum of $50,000.

For those unfamiliar, IVF is a brutal process—not just physically, but financially.

The industry has long been criticized for its opaque pricing, lack of financial protections, and the crushing reality that success is never guaranteed. Even with advances in reproductive medicine, the average success rate per IVF cycle is around 30-40% for women under 35—and much lower for those in their late 30s and 40s.

The financial burden is staggering:
- Many couples deplete their life savings in pursuit of a pregnancy.
- Fertility loans often come with high interest rates.
- Employer benefits vary wildly, leaving many without coverage.

Future Family aims to change this by offering a structured financial model that makes IVF more predictable.

Who Qualifies?

Not everyone can sign up for Orange Shield. Eligibility is determined by:
- Age – Patients 38 and older must use donor eggs to qualify.
- Medical History – Lifestyle habits, prior infertility diagnoses, and overall health factors impact eligibility.
- Sperm & Egg Source – Patients using their own eggs or sperm must meet specific health criteria.

In short: if you're over 38 and relying on your own eggs, you're out of luck.

Future Family isn't the only company looking to monetize and de-risk fertility.
- Lushi, a fertility wellness startup, just secured $5 million in funding.
- Carrot Fertility and Progyny offer employer-backed fertility benefits that cover IVF, egg freezing, and surrogacy.
- CCRM and Kindbody, two leading fertility clinics, are integrating financial products directly into their treatment offerings.

Since its launch in 2016, Future Family has worked with over 10,000 families and distributed $200 million in credit. With $150 million in total funding, it has quickly become one of the most well-funded fertility fintech startups.

There's no denying that fertility treatments are increasingly accessible to those who can afford them—but prohibitively expensive for those who can't.

For couples who can front the $8,000 insurance fee, Orange Shield might feel like a safe bet. But for those without thousands of dollars to spare, IVF remains a financially devastating process with no guarantees.

The big question is: Should fertility treatments work like high-stakes insurance? Or should access to reproductive care be a basic medical right?

As companies like Future Family bring financial innovations into the fertility space, one thing is clear:
The future of having a baby may be less about biology—and more about who can afford the insurance.