Fertility Clinic Treatment Costs: What You Need to Know
In this article, our team at Medfem Fertility Clinic explains how you can get the best value from the fertility costs you face: making sure every cent is well-spent on the right treatment combinations that will give you as a couple the best chance of conceiving.
Despite the financial burden that comes with fertility treatment, many couples who successfully conceive through fertility treatments say it was worth every cent.
“Fertility treatment is stressful for all, financially taxing for most, and prohibitive for many… But when it results in a healthy baby, the number of dollars spent—no matter how high—becomes justifiable,” is how an article in ELLE.com [The Life-Changing Cost of Fertility Treatment] put it. It also quoted moms who expressed similar sentiments such as “You can’t put a price on family and love” and “It was all worth it to finally hear the word ‘Mommy’”.
Even so, the cost is a real factor to be considered when planning to get fertility treatment. In this article, we highlight three issues couples should keep in mind when considering the costs of their fertility treatment:
1. The cost of fertility treatment varies significantly from couple to couple.
2. Even with medical aid cover, some expenses may need to be covered out-of-pocket.
3. Finance may be an option when covering the cost of fertility treatments.
The cost of fertility treatment differs for each couple
Each couple’s fertility journey is unique, and the actual cost of a couple’s treatment depends on the individual medical needs of each partner.
So, in one couple, the fertility challenge may be due to the female partner, while in another it may be due to the male partner, or, as it is for many couples, it may be a combination of both male and female factor issues. There is also a long list of possible causes of infertility in women and another long list for men, ranging from genetic causes to lifestyle choices and autoimmune diseases. Furthermore, there is also often more than one factor contributing to infertility in each partner.
This means a couple may require a single treatment, or they may need a combination of treatments. Similarly, some couples may need medication or other medical procedures. Some may be successful on their first treatment, while others may need to have a certain treatment again or may need to try a different treatment if the first is not successful.
The only way to determine the exact cost of your unique fertility journey is to consult with a fertility specialist. A thorough evaluation, including diagnostic testing, will help pinpoint the exact cause or causes of infertility, ensuring that you only pay for treatments that will give you the best chance of conceiving.
Can you rely on medical aid cover?
Medical aid coverage for fertility treatments varies greatly between healthcare providers.
Fortunately, all medical aids in South Africa have to offer cover for what is known as Prescribed Minimum Benefits or PMBs to every member.
These include certain blood tests, hysterosalpingogram, hysteroscopy, laparoscopy, ovulation defects and deficiencies, semen analysis, uterus and tubal surgery, treatment of local infections, and counselling and advice on sexual behaviour, temperature charts etc.
Beyond these PMBs, most open medical aid schemes do not cover fertility treatments such as IVF, and some do not even cover the initial consultation with a fertility specialist.
However, a few medical aids offer specific benefit packages, such as Discovery Health Medical Scheme’s Assisted Reproductive Therapy ART Benefit. Specific cover limits and conditions apply to these benefit packages.
To ensure clarity on what your medical aid will and won’t cover, it’s best to request written confirmation of any benefits applicable to fertility treatments.
For funding of treatments not included in your medical aid cover, and for couples who do not have medical aid cover, it is important to explore other possible funding options.
Other Options to Fund Your Fertility Journey
For many couples, funding fertility treatments means looking beyond medical aid. One popular option is a personal loan to finance the treatment.
In South Africa, MediFin offers fertility-specific financing options for registered fertility treatments, including IVF, egg donation, and embryo transfers.
Funding your fertility treatment costs
Cost is an important factor in fertility treatment, and the only way to ensure that every cent is well spent is to choose the right fertility clinic and specialist. Understanding your options and planning ahead can make your journey more manageable.
To make informed financial decisions about fertility treatments, our team at Medfem Fertility Clinic recommends:
– Scheduling a consultation with a fertility specialist to determine your specific treatment plan and associated costs.
– Checking with your medical aid provider to understand any coverage or financial assistance available.
– Explore alternative funding options such as financing.
At Medfem Fertility Clinic, your fertility specialist will help you with an accurate diagnosis, made after thorough fertility testing as a couple. This means that only the fertility treatments that will give you the best chance of a pregnancy will be provided.
Your Medfem fertility specialist will also explain the various treatment options and detail the costs so you fully understand the funding required, and our team will also assist you in understanding the medical aid and medical finance options available.
Medfem Fertility Clinic’s team are committed and understanding team of medical professionals, who have the experience, knowledge and desire to provide you with the best chance of a successful outcome at the end of your treatment.
Since the 1980’s, Medfem Fertility Clinic’s team has assisted couples struggling with infertility to experience the joy of parenthood, helping to bring more than 18,000 babies into the world.
If you would like to meet one of our fertility specialists, simply click here to book an initial consultation or contact us telephonically on +27 (11) 463 2244.
Our fertility specialists can also meet with you during a virtual consultation via Zoom or Skype. Click here to book a virtual consultation now.
We look forward to meeting you!