Core cycle
- What exactly does the quoted “IVF cycle” include?
- Are physician consultations included?
- Are stimulation monitoring ultrasounds and bloodwork included?
- Is egg retrieval included?
- Is anesthesia or sedation included?
- Is embryo culture included, and to what stage?
- Is one embryo transfer included? Fresh, frozen, or either?
Medications
- Are stimulation medications included or separate?
- If separate, can the clinic give a realistic range for the prescribed protocol?
- Are trigger and post-transfer medications separate?
Laboratory procedures
- Is ICSI included, optional, or required by the clinic?
- If PGT-A is being considered, what does the genetic-testing quote cover?
- Are embryo biopsy and shipping to an outside lab separate charges?
- Is embryo freezing included?
Storage and future transfer
- Is any storage period included?
- What is the annual storage charge after that?
- What does a future frozen embryo transfer cost?
- Are medications and monitoring for that transfer included?
Add-ons
- Which optional add-ons are being recommended specifically for this treatment plan?
- What is the evidence that each add-on improves the outcome that matters to me?
- What does each add-on cost?
- What happens if I decline it?
Why ask?
The HFEA, the UK fertility regulator, maintains evidence ratings for common treatment add-ons and states that many do not have good evidence of improving the chance of having a baby for most fertility patients. A cost comparison is more useful when optional extras are visible rather than buried inside a package.
Cancellation, refunds and changes
- What happens financially if the cycle is cancelled before retrieval?
- What fees are non-refundable?
- Does the quote expire?
- What can cause the final total to increase?
If you are traveling
- How many days should you plan to be near the clinic?
- Can some monitoring happen near home?
- Who coordinates local monitoring?
- What happens if the treatment schedule changes?
- What travel costs are not part of the clinic quote?