More People Are Seeking Fertility Treatment. So Why Is Access to Care Still So Difficult?

More Americans are seeking fertility treatment than ever before, but many still face significant barriers to accessing care. Geography, insurance coverage, income, and racial disparities continue to limit access to fertility specialists, even as demand for treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF) continues to grow.

A recent national study published in the July 2026 edition of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology analyzed more than 40 million births across the United States and found that IVF use nearly doubled between 2011 and 2022. While this reflects growing awareness and acceptance of fertility treatment, it also highlights an ongoing challenge: many patients still struggle to receive timely, convenient fertility care.

What the Research Found

The study identified several important trends affecting access to fertility treatment.

Geographic Location Continues to Influence Fertility Care

Patients living in the Northeastern United States were significantly more likely to receive fertility treatment than those living in the South, Midwest, or West.

Although fertility clinics exist across the country, patients in many regions must travel long distances for appointments, making treatment more difficult to manage.

Insurance Coverage Remains a Major Barrier

Insurance continues to play a significant role in whether patients receive fertility treatment.

The study found that patients insured through Medicaid had nearly 80% lower odds of receiving fertility care than those with private insurance, highlighting the ongoing financial challenges many families face when pursuing treatment.

Racial Disparities Persist

Even after adjusting for age and medical history, Black, Hispanic, and Native American patients were significantly less likely to receive fertility treatment than White patients.

These disparities underscore the need for greater awareness, equitable access, and policies that help all individuals build the families they envision.

Why Location Matters During Fertility Treatment

One of the realities many patients do not anticipate is just how often they will visit their fertility clinic.

Whether undergoing ovulation induction, intrauterine insemination (IUI), egg freezing, or IVF, patients typically require frequent monitoring appointments. During an IVF cycle, this often includes several early morning visits each week for bloodwork and transvaginal ultrasounds so physicians can carefully monitor follicle development and adjust medications.

For someone traveling into a major metropolitan hospital every few days, these appointments can quickly become stressful.

Patients may find themselves:

• Spending hours in rush hour traffic
• Searching for expensive downtown parking
• Taking repeated time away from work
• Rearranging childcare and family schedules

Although each monitoring visit is relatively brief, the cumulative burden can become one of the most challenging parts of fertility treatment.

Simply put, convenient access to fertility care can make a meaningful difference in the overall patient experience.

How Satellite Fertility Clinics Improve Access

Improving access is not only about opening more fertility clinics. It is about bringing care closer to where patients live and work.

Rather than requiring every patient to travel into downtown Boston for routine monitoring, Fertility Centers of New England has developed a regional network of fertility offices throughout Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Maine.

Patients can complete most early morning monitoring appointments close to home while receiving coordinated care from the same medical team throughout treatment.

When specialized procedures such as egg retrieval, embryo transfer, or IVF laboratory services are needed, patients visit our advanced surgical and embryology center in Reading, Massachusetts.

This approach combines the convenience of local monitoring with the expertise of a nationally recognized fertility program.

Benefits of Local Fertility Monitoring

Having access to satellite fertility clinics offers several advantages.

Reduced Travel and Stress

Early morning bloodwork and ultrasound appointments can often be completed near home, allowing patients to return to work or family responsibilities more quickly.

Continuity of Care

Patients receive personalized care from one coordinated fertility team throughout every stage of treatment, from the initial consultation through embryo transfer and pregnancy monitoring.

Greater Access Throughout New England

High quality fertility care should not depend on living in downtown Boston.

We provide monitoring and consultation services throughout communities including Reading, Braintree, Peabody, Plymouth, Cambridge, Westborough, Leominster, as well as locations across New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Maine, helping patients access expert fertility care closer to home.

The Bottom Line: Expanding Access Means Improving Care

The latest research makes one thing clear: more people are seeking fertility treatment, but too many still face barriers that delay or prevent care.

Improving access involves more than expanding insurance coverage. It also means making fertility care easier to reach, reducing unnecessary travel, and creating a patient experience that fits into everyday life.

For patients requiring multiple monitoring appointments during treatment, having a trusted fertility center close to home can reduce stress, improve convenience, and help make the journey toward parenthood more manageable.

Ready to begin your fertility journey? Fertility Centers of New England offers convenient locations throughout New England, allowing patients to receive expert fertility care closer to where they live and work. Schedule a consultation to learn which location is right for you.

Fertility FAQ

Why is access to fertility treatment difficult?

Access to fertility treatment can be limited by geography, insurance coverage, cost, and the availability of fertility specialists. Many patients also need frequent monitoring appointments, making travel a significant burden.

How many appointments are required during IVF?

Most IVF patients attend several monitoring appointments during ovarian stimulation. These visits typically include bloodwork and transvaginal ultrasounds to evaluate follicle growth and adjust medications.

Why are satellite fertility clinics important?

Satellite fertility clinics allow patients to complete routine monitoring closer to home while receiving specialized procedures, such as egg retrievals and embryo transfers, at a central IVF center. This reduces travel, saves time, and makes treatment more convenient.

Does living farther from a fertility clinic affect treatment?

Distance can make fertility treatment more challenging because many treatments require multiple early morning appointments over several weeks. Convenient local monitoring locations can help reduce stress and improve access to care.