If you’ve been told you need IVF to have your family but have to fund it yourself because of local NHS cuts, you may find that when you ask around various clinics for prices that they vary hugely.
Some clinics will only tell you the cost of the actual IVF procedure, without telling you the associated costs such as the necessary drugs, appointments and tests you will need. This of course leads to a nasty shock during your treatment when suddenly you have to find more money, when you’re already under enough stress.
At Manchester Fertility we have an open and transparent policy. All our fees are all inclusive, you will know exactly what you are paying for before you begin treatment and what’s included in the cost.
Some clinics may also charge more for extra services, such as laboratory procedures like a Blastocyst transfer. A Blastocyst Transfer is when your embryo is allowed to develop for longer in our laboratory before being transferred, to make sure it reaches the necessary development stage. We don’t charge any extra for this – if we think you’d benefit from it during your treatment then you receive it free of charge.
We also don’t charge for using new products like EmbryoGlue, a special solution in which the embryo develops which tests have shown may help it implant.
It’s so very important to make sure that when you do look at prices and fees that you find out exactly what you’re paying for, what is and isn’t included. Regardless of which area you live in - whether you’re researching clinics in Cheshire, Staffordshire, Merseyside or Derbyshire – look at clinics further afield as well as your local clinics, to make sure you choose the best option for you.
The best thing to do is to visit the clinic for yourself. Good IVF clinics will have open days or events to let you have a look around and meet their team. You’ll be able to ask questions about fees when you attend and you’ll get a good feel for whether they have the open and honest approach to treatments and charges. At Manchester Fertility we currently offer informal one-to-ones where you can come and visit our clinic.
Remember also however that everyone’s treatment path is different. Be wary of researching prices and fees online in forums from others, because they may have needed a different treatment approach to yours which could alter the overall cost. Above all, if you’re unsure what you’re paying for, never be afraid to ask and get a full cost breakdown before treatment begins.
Last updated: 20th January 2020
