If you are planning to get pregnant via in-vitro fertilization, IVF cost is one aspect you would want to know.
More and more couples are going through in-vitro fertilization because it has the highest pregnancy rate. But it also carries a hefty price tag as standard IVF cost is approximately $12,000 to $15,000. Oftentimes, infertility treatments like IVF are not covered by insurance so most couples will probably shoulder all the cost straight from their pockets. Because of this, you may think that IVF treatment fees charged by fertility clinics are baseless. Well then, it would be very helpful if you examine the reasons for the high IVF cost.
Reasons behind high IVF cost
Here are some reasons why IVF treatments are very expensive.
Staff Members
Fertility clinics must employ staff members in order to provide quality healthcare for infertile couples. They comprise of embryologists, reproductive endocrinologists, nurses, medical assistants, front office staff and office manager. All of them are very important to the operation of the fertility clinic and all of them have to be paid, and take note, some of them are paid high.
Equipment
Fertility clinics usually have their own in-house IVF clinical labs which contain freezers, cryo tanks for frozen specimen storage, microscopes, as well as incubators for embryos and eggs. These equipments are very expensive and for them to have an upper hand over their competitors, they are constantly searching for new and better equipments.
Monthly Expenses
Every month, fertility clinics must pay different sorts of expenses which include rent, advertising and accreditation fees, insurance for employee and malpractice, practice licensing and electronic software and licenses for medical records. Moreover, IVF labs must be maintained and cleaned every month with the use of expensive chemicals.
Factors that Affect IVF Cost
There's no such thing as fixed price with regards to IVF cost since it depends on the patient's needs and preferred fertility clinics. Here are some factors that influence the cost of an IVF treatment.
Location of the Fertility Clinic
If you prefer to have the IVF treatment in the US, expect to pay high IVF cost due to their high IVF success rates. However, there may be some fertility clinics that give emphasis on research and trials so the charge may be lesser or better yet all for free. While the cost of IVF treatment in other countries also varies.
Cost of Medication
Keep in mind that the base price of IVF treatment excludes fertility medication. Therefore, if a patient requires more fertility drugs in ovarian stimulation, the higher the cost becomes.
Combination with Other Infertility Treatment
If your partner has poor sperm quality and production problems, ICSI procedure may be required. Likewise, if you have issues with egg quality, egg donor might be required. These add substantial amount to your IVF cost.
If your budget is not enough to pay for standard IVF cost, don't despair as there are plenty of ways to make IVF cost a whole lot cheaper. Talk to your doctor and he or she may help you develop an IVF payment plan that is right for you.