| The cost of IVF is usually the predominant worry for | | | | Avoid clinics that give a low all-inclusive quotation - |
| people who don't have large bank accounts and who | | | | there will almost certainly be unspecified extras. For |
| are enquiring about IVF treatment. And it's difficult to | | | | example, does the quote include initial consultation |
| tie clinics down to a definite figure owing to the | | | | fees and the cost of fertility drugs? |
| complexity of the subject. So here are six vital | | | | A cheaper quote may mean that the clinic giving it |
| checkpoints to help you through the maze. | | | | has a low success rate which in turn means you're |
| 1. Your age | | | | more likely to need more than one cycle, possibly |
| This is one of the most important factors, together | | | | making the total cost higher. |
| with how long you have been infertile. This affects | | | | You must insist on an itemized quotation for |
| the number of IVF cycles you are likely to need | | | | traditional IVF treatment. Distinguish this from |
| before conceiving, if indeed you do conceive. | | | | mini-IVF or micro-IVF treatment, which should be |
| If you're under 35 you have a 50 to 60 per cent | | | | given only to women who are marginally infertile and |
| chance of success with each cycle, so one or two | | | | only need a little help. |
| cycles of IVF treatment should be sufficient. But if | | | | 5. Variations to your treatment |
| you're over 40 that percentage goes down sharply. | | | | Bear in mind that your treatment may change as you |
| Fewer than one in twelve cycles on average will be | | | | progress through it if, for example, you respond |
| successful. | | | | better to one drug than to another, or change from |
| The bottom line is that, while the average cost of | | | | IUI treatment to IVF. As you might expect, this does |
| one cycle of IVF treatment in the United States is | | | | happen in many cases, with a resulting variation in the |
| around $12,000, it can be as little as $10,000 or as | | | | total cost. |
| high as $15,000. But the average cost of successful | | | | 6 Payment plans and refunds |
| treatment is $35,000 for a younger woman, with this | | | | Most clinics now offer payment plans, so you can |
| rising to over $132,000 for women over 40. | | | | spread the cost, and this is something else to |
| 2. Your physical condition | | | | consider before selecting your clinic. Refund programs |
| Linked to age is the physical state of your uterus | | | | are also common now, but be careful here. Typically |
| and endometrium. If you haven't had a recent | | | | a percentage of the total fees is offered as a refund |
| doctor's examination then the clinic will have to do | | | | if your treatment is unsuccessful, but the key |
| this at additional cost. If you can get it done more | | | | question here is - what amounts to a "successful |
| cheaply by your regular doctor then do so. | | | | cycle"? |
| 3. Where you live | | | | What if you conceive but miscarry at a later date? |
| This affects the cost because the fees charged by | | | | Most clinics will interpret that as a "successful cycle" in |
| clinics in large metropolitan areas tend to be higher | | | | spite of the later miscarriage (which, in fairness, might |
| than in less populated areas. The country you live in is | | | | not be their fault). In any event, it is important to |
| also important, with European countries tending to be | | | | clarify this with the clinic. |
| more expensive, especially the UK, where, in fairness, | | | | Be sure to check these points carefully when |
| the success rate is above the average. | | | | considering IVF infertility treatments and before |
| 4. The clinic's quotation policy | | | | committing yourself to one clinic. |