Main highlights:
- Understanding IVF and the cost it asks for.
- Shedding the light on things like mini stimulation cycle IVF
IVF treatment costs can range from $15,000 to $30,000 for a single cycle, which includes ovarian stimulation, egg harvesting, and embryo transfer, depending on the clinic and the patient’s particular drug requirements. Up to 35% of such costs may be related to medications.
This price tag is intimidating, at best. It seems completely out of reach to many of us, especially in light of the fact that many patients undergo multiple IVF rounds prior to trying to get pregnant naturally or via other methods.
However, there are ways to at least cut down on IVF’s out-of-pocket expenses. Additionally, there are grants, discount programmes, and clinical studies that assist qualified patients in paying for all or a portion of the cycle. Your insurance may cover some of the procedures or medications involved in a cycle.
Although it’s not for everyone, low-dose IVF, also known as micro IVF, is a less expensive option to consider.
What is IVF?
In vitro fertilisation, or IVF is a popular reproductive procedure that involves inserting a fertilised egg into the uterus through a quick, easy surgery, it is a typical infertility treatment that encourages the production of several eggs using fertility medications. With the aid of a tiny needle, the eggs are extracted from the ovaries. Then, in a specialist facility, they are fertilised with sperm. Before one or more of the embryos are inserted into the uterus, they develop for 3 to 5 days.
If you have female reproductive organs and decide to do IVF, you will normally inject synthetic hormones (gonadotropins) into your body to encourage the release of numerous eggs from your ovaries. An embryologist will next fertilise the eggs with your partner’s or donated sperm to produce embryos after a doctor performs an outpatient operation to remove the eggs.
Another quick, outpatient treatment that can be performed as soon as three (but usually at least five) days after the embryos are created is embryo transfer, which involves the doctor implanting an embryo (or, in some situations, numerous embryos) in the uterus. Fresh embryo transfer is the name given to this action. The practice of freezing embryos for eventual implantation is known as “frozen embryo transfer” (FET). Patients choose to freeze their embryos for a variety of reasons, such as fertility preservation, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome prevention, and/or to give a genetics lab time to examine the embryos for potential gene flaws.
How much does IVF cost?
Infertility clinics in the US would likely charge you between $12,000 and $14,000 for one cycle of IVF. This does not imply that you will simply pay that sum and be finished, though. Most clinics treat certain steps in the IVF process as add-ons to the base cost, some of which are obligatory and others of which are optional. A single IVF round may cost $30,000 or more depending on your needs. The average final bill will be in the range of $15,000 and $20,000.
The standard cost of IVF at a facility frequently includes follow-up visits, blood tests, egg retrieval, and monitoring consultations. If your price is less than $12,000, it may indicate that the base charge only covers a portion of the items mentioned.
If your price is less than $12,000, it may indicate that the base charge only covers a portion of the items mentioned. The base price may cover extra if your quote is for more than $14,000. Always request a detailed list of what is included in the base rate and what will be subject to additional charges.
The cost of injectable hormones, which can range from $3,000 to more than $6,000 and are typically paid directly to the pharmacy filling the prescription, is not included in the listed price at the majority of clinics.
What you should know before you pay?
You should factor in the possibility of several embryo transfers or multiple complete IVF cycles when planning your budget. Inquire at your clinic about the cost of extra gonadotropin cycles and multiple embryo transfers if the first transfer doesn’t lead to a successful pregnancy and birth. Many people undergo multiple IVF cycles before becoming pregnant or switching to alternative treatments, but some facilities offer lower rates on the second or third cycle. Although it is impossible to predict how IVF will work for you, your clinic may be able to provide statistics depending on your age, ovarian reserve, partner or donor sperm quality, and any other pertinent medical considerations.
It may cost an additional few hundred dollars for sperm donation to tens of thousands of dollars for a carrier or surrogate if you’re using one of these services: sperm, egg, gestational carrier, or surrogate.
Here is a breakdown of the costs you could incur during the IVF process. Not every patient will need to do everything on this list. Even though we’ve included the IVF procedures you’re most likely to experience, your health history may necessitate additional testing or procedures. Your reproductive clinic will work with you to develop the best possible plan.
What is Mini IVF?
Mini stimulation cycle IVF or mini IVF refers to an IVF cycle carried out using the fewest number of drugs. It may also be referred to as low-dose IVF, mild-dose IVF, or IVF with ovarian stimulation. A mini IVF patient may choose to use an oral drug like Clomid in place of injecting hormones, or they may decide to use an injectable medication but use a lesser dose than is typically recommended for an IVF cycle.
Mini IVF costs less per cycle—typically $5,000 to $6,000 plus drugs, which can cost as little as $50 for Clomid or as much as $2,000 for injectable hormones.
It’s difficult to say whether micro IVF will save you money overall, though. Fewer eggs will likely be recovered because of the reduced hormone dose, which means fewer potential embryos. A micro IVF patient may need to undergo multiple cycles of embryo development, which can be more expensive and dangerous than performing traditional IVF.
However, there is positive news for individuals or couples considering low-dose IVF with injectable medicine, according to a study of 31 randomised controlled studies that was published in Human Reproduction Update in November. Even though fewer high-grade embryos were produced from the low-dose patients than from the patients who underwent standard IVF, putting both groups of patients were on a more equal footing in terms of pregnancy outcomes while also saving the low-dose patients money.
Additionally, there are benefits of mini IVF that are independent of cost, such as its lower risk of ovarian hyperstimulation.