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Want to know the real costs of NHS IVF costs in the UK? This post will provide an extensive idea of the prices you can expect to pay if you decide to be a self-funded NHS IVF patient.
PHOTOGRAPH BY SUZY HAZELWOOD
Going through IVF treatment with the NHS can be extremely exciting and if you are anything like me, you have done your research and are very prepared. As an NHS IVF service user, I will tell you about the UK’s NHS IVF costs. I swear by this information as it will help you understand the finances involved in using this unique service.
You will learn about NHS IVF Costs in the UK, from the initial consultation fees with a fertility specialist to how much does 3 cycles of IVF cost in the UK. I will also be discussing the fees for medication, how you pay for IVF drugs on the NHS and much more
After learning about NHS IVF costs, you will be a pro and super prepared for your exciting journey into fertility treatment.
This post is about NHS IVF Costs in the UK to help you budget for your fertility treatment.
Essential NHS IVF Costs in the UK That You Need To Know
IVF treatment can be freaking expensive, and the thought of having to sell a kidney or win the lottery to work towards your parenthood dream can be overwhelming (to say the least).
However, it’s important to remember that going down the NHS route could be ideal as the NHS often offers fertility treatment at cost price – making it budget-friendly.
Let’s get into it and look by region in the UK.
What would be the cost of an initial consultation at an IVF clinic?
Some NHS hospitals even offer competitively priced packages for patients, including initial Consultations with a fertility specialist, Anti Mullerian Hormone (AMH) blood test (AMH provides an understanding of egg reserve), pelvic ultrasound scan and semen analysis. This package can be found for as little as £225. This can be a significant saving if you consider the cost of the initial consultation can be at least £150.
You will also see IVFers, that there is an NHS hospital in Scotland that does not charge for the initial consultation at all. In fact, there is no charge at this hospital for the blood test also. However, IVF blood tests can be very expensive, costing up to and in excess of £500 – depending on which tests are required. So it’s worth seeing if the clinic you choose can even charge you for the cost of the treatment, drugs/ medication only.
IVF 3 Cycle Package, Is That Even Available When You Self-Fund Treatment With The NHS?
In Short – No.
But…
Self-funded patients are usually quoted the price of one IVF cycle whilst using NHS fertility services.
However, 3 cycle packages can be found in private fertility clinics with some clinics quoting around £11,400, including the cost of medication, sedation and blood tests, ICSI if needed and HFEA costs. There are even some packages offering refunds if the cycles are unsuccessful.
Before the package is available, the fertility clinic will normally consider the following:
- Medical history.
- Your age.
- Previous fertility treatments.
To help even further with the costs of IVF treatment, some clinics are part of unlimited cycle programmes. These offer amazing programmes that can save significant amounts of money and some NHS hospitals are included in this unique service.
If you decide not to go down the route of a set number of IVF cycles or an unlimited package, below are some examples of NHS IVF one-cycle packages by area (please note initial consultations, blood tests and medication are usually not included):
It’s also worth checking with the clinic if there is a reduction in IVF costs for 2nd or 3rd attempts, as some clinics do offer this.
What are the fees for IVF medication?
The fees of IVF medication are around £600 – £2250. The price ranges are massive as the cost depends on the type of treatment you are having. The long protocol requires medication to be administered for longer periods of time compared to the short protocol.
Fees for IVF medication can vary hugely from clinic to clinic, supermarket pharmacy to high street pharmacy.
It’s worth it and super cost-saving to politely request your prescription from the clinic and shop around – however, always way up the pros and cons depending on the urgency of the medication.
You definitely don’t want to get caught short without enough meds for your treatment – especially if you need the meds urgently!
If you can plan ahead a few calls to local pharmacies or pharmacies willing to safely, securely and efficiently post your little fertility tools, that can save you a few pennies.
Please remember extras – syringes, sterile wipes, drawing and injection needles. Big and small sizes- it can be costly to purchase these directly from a clinic (NHS or Private) compared to online stores like Medisave, which I use. However, the products are packed with care, and the delivery can take one or two days.
⚡ – Check the clinic prices, and if I don’t need these items super urgently and have time, I purchase them on websites such as Amazon or Medisave.
⚡ – Now that you know the medication costs can vary from pharmacy to pharmacy, clinic to clinic, some clinics offer a price match guarantee. It’s always worth an extra check as part of your research into which clinics to visit. Especially if you are like me and on a budget.
Payments for the medication are usually made directly to the clinic or pharmacy. However, if you are like me a skint IVFer, then you are now armed with the knowledge that you are not overpaying for this essential medication unless there is an exceptional circumstance (such as the medication for extra time – this can happen if the clinic needs you to be on meds for longer due to a change in your treatment plan – for example).
This post is a guide to NHS IVF costs in the UK and shows how to make IVF costs more affordable. In IVF World and budgeting, saving a little dough here and there makes the process less stressful.
PHOTOGRAPH BY SUZY HAZELWOOD
How Much Does IVF Cost In The UK? Discover Affordable Options With NHS
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FOLLOW ME:
This blog is written based on my own personal experience. The views shared are my own and do not represent the views of any third parties. I have no medical training and I am not trained in fertility or IVF. I simply share my journey with IVF to support others with the aim to create a supportive community so that experiences and information can be shared. From time to time, I may refer to scientific research or academic papers, these should be used as information only. At no time should you rely on any of the information across this blog as medical advice. You should not delay in seeking medical advice as a result of something you read on this site. You should always seek medical advice from a medical professional to support you.