Patient Information

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Patient Factors

Patient age affects cost of IVF treatment because typically older patients receive higher doses of stimulation medications for longer periods of time.

The type of IVF cycle greatly affects the cost of IVF. Using donor eggs typically requires agency fees, donor fees, and other lab and screening fees which add significant cost to the IVF cycle. Cycles utilizing a surrogate to carry the baby include the cost of recruiting and screening the surrogate as well as legal fees and the surrogate’s fee for her services.

Medications

Medications for IVF treatment are used for suppression, stimulation, and supplementation. Typically older patients receive greater doses over longer periods of time which increases the cost.

Some medications that are part of a course of IVF treatment include: Lupron, Antagon, and Cetrotide for supression; Gonal-F, Follistim, Menopur, and Bravelle for stimulation; Endometrin and Crinone for progesterone supplementation; Vivelle and Estrace for estrogen supplementation.

Pre-cycle Costs

Sonohysterogram - An in-office ultrasound procedure in which saline in instilled into the uterus to detect possible abnormalities inside the lining which may adversely affect pregnancy.

Trial Transfer - This procedure typically consists of an ultrasound and placement of a tiny catheter inside the uterus to determine the direction and length of the uterine cavity prior to the IVF cycle. This procedure ensures that the least traumatic transfer can be accomplished during the actual IVF treatment cycle.

Semen Analysis - This laboratory analysis measures volume, sperm concentration, sperm motility, and morphology to determine if more advanced techniques such as ICSI should be used for successful fertilization.

Semen Culture - This laboratory analysis seeks to identify any bacteria existing in the semen which may adversely affect successful IVF treatment.

FSH Levels - This test measures the baseline Follicle Stimulating Hormone present in a woman's body. The test is done by blood draw, typically on the second or third day of the menstrual cycle. It provides an indirect indicator of egg quality.

Initial Visit - The initial visit or consultation at an IVF clinic typically includes meeting with a physician to review your case history, perform a physical examination and possibly an ultrasound. You first visit may include a consultation with a financial coordinator to review treatment costs, financing options, and insurance coverage.

E2 Level - This blood test measures the estradiol level in a woman's body. The estradiol level helps validate the accuracy of the timing of the FSH to assure it is being done at the proper time.

TSH and Free T4 - This blood test checks thyroid function.

Prolactin - This blood test checks the level of prolactin, the hormone that helps the body produce breast milk at the proper time. High levels of prolactin can interfere with conceiving no matter what the method of treatment.

Donor Factors

For the purposes of this calculation, we will assume that if an anonymous egg donor is used, there will be an agency fee and a donor fee associated with the IVF cycle. We will also assume that the agency will cover the donor's health insurance.

For an known egg donor we will assume that there will be no agency fee or donor fee but the intended parent will pay for the egg donor's health insurance.

Feel free to modify the costs associated with any of these fees to match your anticipated conditions.

Donor Costs

FDA Administration Fee - The screening for all donors is mandated and monitored by the FDA. This requires a great deal of administrative work by the IVF centers in preparation for FDA inspections.

Substitute FDA Labs -

Genetic, infectious and drug screening - Good practice dictates that all donors receive screening in all these areas to make sure they do not transmit infectious diseases to the intended parent or pass on any genetic abnormalities to the baby. Drug screening is to make sure they are not engaging in any substances that could affect the cycle.

Mock Cycle - Since the embryos are transferred in a “live” cycle, IVF centers want to assure that the uterine lining will respond properly to the hormones used in the actual cycle. This can prevent the need to cancel a transfer and freeze all the embryos.

Agency Fee - The fee paid to an agency for recruiting and initially screening potential egg donors.

Donor Fee - The fee paid to the egg donor for using her eggs.

Psychological Consultation - Most centers and agencies require the donor and recipient couple have a psychological counseling session to make sure they understand the issues involved in the process and to evaluate the history and motivation of the donor.

Legal Consultation - It is important that there be a legal agreement between the donor and recipient couple to protect each of their interests.

Egg Donor Health Insurance - Health insurance coverage for known donors in the event of complications associated with the egg retrieval process.

Genetic Consultation - Based on the ethnicity and genetic history of the male intended parent the genetic counselor will determine if any special tests are required for the donor other than the standard donor testing and deal with any issues that might arise in the donor’s genetic screening tests.

Surrogate Fees

Surrogate Fee - This consists of reimbursement to the surrogate for her monthly living expenses during pregnancy, required meetings, lost wages, housekeeping assistance, childcare when on bed rest and the risk to her health.

Monthly expenses - The surrogate usually receives reimbursement for expenses related to the process such as mileage, telephone and childcare. It starts with the transfer and increases when a pregnancy is confirmed.

Insurance - Premiums cover prenatal care and delivery.

Life Insurance - The surrogate receives one year of term life insurance to cover the pregnancy and postpartum period.

Reserve Funds - These are to pay for medical costs denied by the insurance company and any tax liability incurred by the surrogate. Unused funds will be returned.

Screening - Good practice dictates that all surrogates and their spouses receive screening to make sure they do not transmit infectious diseases to the baby. Drug screening is to make sure they are not engaging in any substances that could affect the pregnancy.

Psychological Counseling - Both the surrogate and intended parents engage in counseling to make sure they understand the issues involved in the surrogacy process and to evaluate the history and motivation of the donor. In addition any issues that may arise can be dealt with.

Legal fees - One of the most important aspects of surrogacy is an iron clad contract to make sure that the surrogate performs all that is expected of her and agrees to the adoption of the baby to the intended parents. There are variations of this depending on state law.

Accommodations - This covers a hotel stay for the bed rest following transfer.

Cycle Costs

Base Cycle Cost - The base fee paid to the medical center performing the IVF treatment.

Anesthesia - The fee paid to the surgery center or anesthetist for anesthesia during egg retrieval.

Assisted Hatching - This procedure can help with implantation of the embryo. It is typically recommended for women over the age of 37 or for couples with previously failed IVF cycles.

Blastocyst Transfer - This procedure involves culturing embryos for an additional 2-3 days and transferring blastocyst stage embryos. Blastocyst stage embryos allow a selection of the best embryo(s) for transfer as only the best embryos have the ability to grow to blastocyst stage and can be graded.

Male Factor Costs

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is a fertilization technique whereby sperm is injected directly into the egg's cytoplasm.

The procedure is recommended for men experiencing low semen parameters or when sperm needs to be retrieved surgically. It is also used for donor and/or frozen sperm.

Out Of Area Costs

Many clinics will charge a fee for patients for the additional coordination required for patients who start their cycles elsewhere. International patients require even more coordination time and effort.

PGD Costs

PGD is preimplantation genetic diagnosis/screening for chromosome abnormalities, sex selection or when the couple are carriers of known single gene defects.

Embryo Freezing Costs

Embryo freezing allows patients to preserve additional viable embryos which can be implanted in future frozen embryo cycles.