If you are infertile and wish to undergo IVF, the first question that will come to your mind is, “Will we be able to afford the high cost of the IVF procedure?”
IVF might be an excellent fertility treatment procedure to help you get pregnant. However, one of its main downsides that makes many people apprehensive is its high cost.
It is normal for you to wonder, “Why is IVF so expensive?” “How much money should I amass to undergo IVF treatments?” and many more. In this article, we will learn the answers to all of your questions.
What Contributes To The High Cost Of IVF?
If you are considering undergoing IVF, you should know that IVF is the last treatment option that your fertility doctors will choose in case other fertility treatments do not help you achieve pregnancy.
It is an advanced fertility treatment procedure with about 50–60% success rate, with the success rate increasing in the following cycles. This makes IVF an expensive fertility treatment. Below are some factors that contribute to the high cost of the fertility treatment.
The location of the fertility centre
Generally, IVF treatments are a bit more expensive in cities than in other places. This is because the facilities, infrastructure, and technology of the hospitals in cities will be more advanced than in other rural or town areas.
Hi-tech IVF equipments
Certain hospitals use hi-tech IVF equipments like embryoscope, embryo glue, embryo grading, etc., to increase IVF success rates. The more high technology a centre uses, the higher the cost of the IVF treatment.
Medications administered during IVF
Before, during, and after IVF treatment, your fertility doctor will prescribe certain medications to be taken on a regular basis. The cost of these medications are not fixed and will vary depending on the dosage, medicines used, and its duration.
Additional procedures
Apart from IVF, you can also choose to undergo other procedures like ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection), embryo freezing, PGT (preimplantation genetic testing), donor eggs or sperm, etc. This can increase the overall cost of your IVF treatments.
The doctor’s expertise
If you have a serious infertility condition that requires the consultation of a reputed doctor, it can increase your IVF cost. Also, the more experienced your fertility doctor is, the higher your IVF cost will be.
Limited insurance coverage
Unlike other treatments, insurance does not cover the entire cost of IVF. So, you might still have to fork out money even with an insurance policy.
How Much Money Is Needed For IVF?
The total cost of your IVF treatment will differ based on the factors we discussed above. Here is a general estimate of the overall cost of your IVF treatment.
| Treatment Option | Cost Range |
|---|---|
|
Basic IVF |
₹1,00,000 – ₹1,50,000 |
|
IVF with ICSI |
₹1,20,000 – ₹2,00,000 |
|
IVF with FET (frozen embryo transfer) |
₹1,60,000 – ₹2,30,000 |
|
IVF with PESA, TESA, or TESE |
₹1,50,000 – ₹2,20,000 |
|
IVF with PGS/PGD |
₹2,20,000 – ₹4,50,000 |
Remember, this is just an estimated value, and your cost may increase or decrease based on your specific health condition and what treatments you might require to get pregnant through IVF.
Why Do People Spend So Much On IVF?
You might wonder, “Why are people willing to undergo IVF despite it being so expensive?” here are some reasons why.
Desire For Parenthood
Everyone wishes to be a parent. Who doesn’t? And if people cannot become parents even after a long time, this desire will manifest in them, making them do whatever it takes to attain it.
High Success Rates
Most couples wish to undergo IVF for its higher success rate. For couples who have seen failures in natural pregnancy and other fertility treatments like IUI, IVF can be a beacon of hope with a higher success rate.
The IVF success rate in India is about 50–60%, which is far higher than the 15–20% success rate of IUI. So, couples might prefer to try their chances in IVF rather than IUI.
Societal Pressure
Our society is not so merciful and friendly towards couples who cannot have children. These couples might decide to undergo IVF due to the pressure from family and relatives.
How Can I Reduce The Cost Of IVF?
Here are some ways you can reduce the cost of IVF treatments and make it affordable for you.
Find The Best Fertility Hospital With Compared Costs
Remember, not all high technology hopsitals charge you higher proces for IVF. there are some hospitals that will offer you IVF at affordable prices. You only need to do your research and find the best fertility hospital that provides excellent IVF treatment at affordable prices.
Check Your Insurance
Though insurance doesn’t cover the entire IVF procedure, you can still lower your overall IVF cost by knowing which procedures can be covered by insurance. Learn about IVF insurance policies before starting the treatments.
Save On Medications
You can’t do anything about medications if you have a serious infertility issue. However, if your infertility issue is minimal, you can talk with your doctor and reduce medication costs wherever possible.
Take Advantage Of Multi-Cycle Discounts
Some fertility hospitals will offer discounts for IVF patients who might need to undergo more than one cycle to get pregnant. Discuss this matter with your fertility specialist and see if you can lower your IVF costs.
Conclusion
IVF can be a bit more expensive than other fertility treatments. However, the success rate it gives is also higher compared to other fertility treatments.
If you wish to get a successful IVF on the first try and reduce your IVF costs, listen to your fertility doctor and follow every instruction they give you. Discuss with them if you have any concerns, and have a safe and healthy pregnancy.
IVF is an advanced fertility treatment procedure with about a 50–60% success rate, with the success rate increasing in the following cycles. This makes IVF an expensive fertility treatment.
On average, an IVF cycle costs between Rs. 1,00,000 and Rs. 1,50,000 in India. This is just an average amount. Your IVF cost may increase or decrease based on your specific health and fertility condition.
Here are some ways you can reduce your overall IVF costs.
- Find the best fertility hospital that provides IVF at affordable costs.
- Check your insurance policies.
- Save on medications if possible.
- Take advantage of multi-cycle discounts.
