By now you must have come across variable articles and clinics giving different quotes & offerings when it comes to IVF treatment. Some must have quoted AED 250,000/- for an IVF treatment while others about AED 75,000/- for the same treatment. So, how does one determine the real cost of an IVF treatment and should you just determine the financial implications or is there more to it? Let us explore that in this article.
Granted the thought of less expensive fertility treatment is luring. But the fact remains that the medicine and support involved in making fertility treatment real and viable, however, is costly. Clinics that cut corners to reduce costs may not offer the level of treatment and results you may be expecting as the job demands a lot of expertise, experience and state-of-the art facilities.
A wall street article featuring a New York clinic providing cheaper IVF services revealed that the prices mentioned by the clinic did not include the medicines required before and during an IVF cycle. The clinic director also acknowledged that he hires fewer doctors than other practices. As a result, patients often consult with a nurse practitioner rather than a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist.
So, there are chances that a fertility center will quote you a price for the IVF procedure itself, that includes an egg retrieval, fertilization of the eggs in a lab, and then transferring the fertilized egg (the embryo) into the uterus. There is an additional component-medication, which encourages the production of multiple eggs and, later, prepares your body to accept a fertilized egg. These medicines might not come under the package quoted in the less expensive package & may cost you anywhere from AED 12,500 to AED 18,000.
What are the other costs involved?
Preimplantation Genetic Testing - Some patients may also consider genetic testing on the embryos to ensure a healthy, chromosomally normal embryo is transferred. This is called Preimplantation Genetic Testing, or PGT, and may be suggested if you’ve had a previous miscarriage, complicated family health history, or if you are a known carrier of certain conditions. It costs anywhere from AED 5,500 to AED 11,000.
Frozen Embryo Transfer - You may decide to freeze embryos for use in subsequent cycles. Thawing frozen embryos and using them to transfer into the uterus to achieve a pregnancy is called a Frozen Embryo Transfer, or FET. Since the embryos are already created, you do not need expensive medication to stimulate the ovaries, just the medications that help support a pregnancy, which are much less costly.
Medications = AED 12,500 to AED 18,000.
Bloodwork & ultrasound (monitoring) = AED 7,000 to AED 12,500
Egg Retrieval = AED 7,000 to AED 11,000
Anesthesia = AED 1300 to AED 2,700 (varies based on time units)
Preimplantation genetic testing = AED 5,500 to AED 11,000
Oocyte storage (the first year is typically free) = AED 2,200 to AED 3,600 annually
Consultation (no insurance) = AED 1100 to AED 2,700
What if IVF Doesn’t Work?
IVF is the most successful treatment for infertility. That being said, one might undergo more than one cycle to achieve the desired might affect your decision-making on spending more than the minimum on IVF.
However, comprehensive clinics offer the 360-degree service, provide you a holistic perspective bringing the balance between optimism & reality.
So, what exactly is affordable IVF?
Beyond the monetary part, IVF involves a lot of emotional commitment so its easy to get disheartened when things don’t work out in your favour. The chances of a successful IVF increase exponentially when you are guided by verified doctors at every step rather than just technicians. So, when you get a quote on IVF, you need to get the following aspects cleared before you decide if the journey Is both monetary & emotionally affordable to you or not:
Who will analyze the test results – a doctor or will it be a technician?
Will the doctor be available throughout the process or step in only at key moments such as egg retrieval and implantation?
Is the infrastructure & lab facility equipped to carry out comprehensive analysis to suggest the best possible treatment.
Would you need to be actively involved in coordinating between different offices, providers and labs or the quote is a comprehensive treatment package that provides cohesive medical care?
Not to mention, a successful IVF at the first attempt reduces your cost of subsequent IVF cycles, and as mentioned earlier, as with any other field, the chances of success are higher when working with professionals.
At MMC IVF, our goal is to guide and support you every step of the way. Our financial counselors are committed to helping you understand what you’re paying for, when you’re paying for it, and provide you with different options to ease the financial burden of fertility treatment.
We have an experienced team of financial counselors that have years of experience helping patients understand various financing options and packages that can provide assistance with treatment costs.
To lead you on the right path of fertility treatment, MMC IVF is offering you an opportunity to consult with a world-class fertility specialists for a one-on-one discussion. You can also avail an exclusive ‘Get treatment now & pay Later’ plan. All you have to do is make an appointment with us +971 56 136 2512 or write to us at info@mmcivf.com. We will get back to you promptly. The best part is that you can stay at home and talk to our specialists online. In addition, you can request for a second opinion on the diagnosis and treatment you already are on. Reach out to MMC IVF and we will fix an appointment for it.
