If you are a couple planning to conceive through IVF (In-Vitro Fertilization), especially in India then it’s a good decision. If you are wondering what IVF costs in India, rest assured that it is much lower than in global medical destinations. As per a June 2023 report of CNBC, India offers IVF at an average cost of 1200 to 2500 USD per IVF cycle as opposed to the UK ($6000+), Singapore($7000) and the US(12K to 30K). The huge difference indicates that India offers IVF treatment procedures at a fraction of the cost than other countries.
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Why Is India A Preferred Destination For IVF?
Well, apart from the low cost which plays a major role in deciding the destination for IVF, India has a huge advantage in terms of state-of-the-heart medical infrastructure, the latest technology for IVF & related procedures, English-speaking doctors, the high success ratio of IVF, and availability of premium hotels near major healthcare providers. These factors play a major role in attracting couples looking for a convenient destination for going through IVF treatment procedures.
In fact, all these factors contributed to a smashing 20% growth in India’s IVF market in the last five years and are expected to grow full-scale shortly. From performing 2.75 lakh IVF cycles/year currently, it is estimated to shoot up to 5-6 lakh IVF cycles per year by 2030. This will skyrocket its market value from $793 million in 2020 to $3,721 billion in 2030. Therefore, India is a promising destination for engaging global couples seeking IVF.
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How much will IVF cost in India in 2024?
For couples based in India, the cost of the IVF treatment procedures is stretched from the initial consultation to ultrasound monitoring post-successful conception. It can range anywhere between 90,000 to 300,000 INR for a single cycle. Mind well that the cost varies in accordance to the individual patient. While some couples need fewer tests, others require more monitoring, tests and other medical facilities. This plays a role in increasing or decreasing the price.
In fact, talking about the urgent necessity of IVF in India especially on World IVF Day on July 25, we would like to highlight the fact that 27.5 million married Indian couples are facing infertility issues, but only 275,000 IVF cycles are performed every year in India, as of now. The major reasons for this sad reality are late marriages, lack of awareness, lifestyle factors, a rise in pregnancy age, and more. One thing is for sure, the country is facing a major infertility crisis which will directly impact India’s social structure and future economic prospects. To combat this, the country needs more IVF centres in the coming future.
Cost Breakdown
Let us give you a cost breakdown of IVF treatment procedures in India. It varies depending on the location, city, fertility issue, maternal age, genetic disorders, and other factors. However, we can give you an average estimate of the cost of IVF in India.
Costs Before the IVF Procedure in India (Non-Donor IVF):
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The details of cost components are explained in brief as follows
Base IVF Fee: This is a total of the charges for every step in the IVF treatment procedure including ovary stimulation, egg retrieval, embryo creation and embryo transfer.
Fertility assessment: This test involves physical examination, blood test, ultrasound monitoring of ovaries, etc. It costs anywhere between 5000 and 10,000 INR.
Semen Analysis: The assessment of sperm health including its quality, count and more, this step costs around 1,500 to 3,000 INR.
Injectable medications: This covers the cost of injections administered to stimulate ovaries for extra egg production. The cost ranges anywhere between 20,000 and 40,000 INR per cycle.
Monitoring appointments: These are required to track the success of each step and the entire IVF cycle.
Costs of Embryo Creation and Fresh Embryo Transfer:
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Brief description of costs involved in embryo creation and fresh embryo transfer
Egg retrieval: This step involves collecting the eggs produced through ovary stimulation. It is included in the base fee.
Anaesthesia: Local anaesthesia is administered to avoid discomfort during egg retrieval. Cost is covered in the base fee.
Donor sperm: If the partner’s sperm displays poor health, then donor sperm is acquired at a cost ranging between 20,000 and 100,000 INR.
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI): When sperm cannot directly fertilize the eggs placed in a dish in the lab, they need to be injected into each egg. This process called ICSI costs up to 150,000 INR.
Mock embryo transfer: A step taken to ease actual embryo transfer, this one may cost anywhere between 5,000 and 10,000 INR.
Fresh embryo transfer: The cost of transferring fertilized eggs (embryos) to the uterus is included in the base fee.
Costs of Frozen Embryo Transfer: Explained in brief
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Most healthcare practitioners suggest freezing eggs generated during the first cycle of IVF. The frozen eggs are useful for future cycles in case the first attempt fails or the couple plans to go for IVF for second childbirth. The costs associated with Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) are briefly explained as follows:
Embryo cryopreservation: This process involves freezing embryos through cryoprotectant agents and vitrification, which means quick freezing to drastically reduce the formation of ice crystals. This step costs anywhere between 70,000 and 140,000 INR.
Embryo storage: IVF clinics charge annually for storing embryos and the cost ranges between 25,000 and 45,000 INR.
Genetic testing: Medical procedures performed to check any genetic disorders may cost anywhere around 25,000 to 50,000 per test. These tests include PGT-A (aneuploidy screening), PGT-M (monogenic disorder screening), PGT-SR (structural rearrangements screening), and PGT-P (polygenic disorder screening).
Frozen Embryo transfer: Some clinics include the cost of first-time FET in the base fees and others may charge for it especially if there is any delay in the transfer or case of multiple attempts required for the transfer. The cost ranges between 90,000 and 210,000 INR.
Medication for FET: The woman is given shots of hormones like progesterone to increase the thickness of the uterus lining to improve the chances of the embryo fixing to it. The medications may cost around 15,000 to 75,000.
Costs of Using Donor Eggs in IVF
The IVF experts may suggest the use of donor eggs when the woman faces an issue of poor quality of eggs. The costs associated are:
Cost of frozen donor eggs – 100,000 to 150,000 INR
Cost of fresh donor eggs – 70,000 to 200,000 INR
To sum up, there is a huge cost associated with various steps in the IVF treatment procedure. If you want to know what is the cost of IVF in India, then you need to make a total of costs in each scenario to get a clear idea of the budget. However, there are ways to minimize this expense. Let us check them out.
Tips to Overcome the IVF Expense
Couples can certainly reduce the overall cost of IVF by taking certain well-thought-out steps. A few of these cost-cutting methods are:
Compare the clinics: Well, you need to do extensive research about the services and related costs offered by the prominent IVF clinics around you. Check the pros and cons of each before zeroing down on the one that offers the best services at the least cost.
Insurance coverage: Check with your insurance provider if the company covers any of the steps of IVF in their scheme.
Discuss with the doctor: Feel free to discuss with your IVF doctor a simplified plan that minimizes the cost of the entire treatment. Like the natural cycle, IVF cuts down the cost by a huge margin. Similarly, minimum ovary stimulation IVF is also a major cost cutter.
Discount programs: Many clinics offer payment plans through instalments and even discount package deals. So, enquire about them without any hesitation.
Conclusion
The cost of IVF in India is much less than compared to other countries. Also, considering the facilities of medical infrastructure and expert services, IVF in India is more affordable than the same in other countries. You can also choose ways to reduce the overall cost by discussing them with your doctor. Having said that, the joy of conceiving a healthy baby is priceless!
Khushhi IVF is a reputed IVF clinic in India. With a track record of numerous success stories and a high success ratio in IVF, the clinic is the right destination for couples looking for efficient IVF treatment. Contact our team for further details, questions and consultation!