IVF treatment: 5 tips for choosing the right fertility clinic
Having a baby is a very exciting time for parents-to-be. Coming to the realization that you probably need help conceiving, however, can be incredibly frustrating. Whether you’re facing endometriosis, low sperm count, or another health or genetic infertility issue, the good news is that there are now many fertility treatment options available. The most common among them is In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), which accounts for a whopping 99 percent of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) procedures worldwide. If you’re considering IVF treatment, here are five top tips that can help you choose the right fertility clinic.
1. Is IVF the best option for you?
Before diving head first into IVF, it’s important to bear in mind that many infertility cases don’t even require ART; the solution might be just some infertility medication (e.g. drugs for inducing ovary production) and scheduled intercourse.
The right treatment for infertility will depend on many different factors, including the underlying causes (e.g. ovulation disorder, fibroids, STIs, low sperm count, etc.), you and your partner’s age, as well as personal factors like how much you want to spend on treatment. If a fertility clinic jumps straight into IVF without first reviewing all possible options, that’s a red flag you might want a second opinion over.
2. Know this about success rates
Choosing the clinic with the highest success rate might seem like the most logical choice, but it’s important to know what these figures really mean:
Clinical pregnancy vs live birth rates
Many clinic websites will display their clinical pregnancy rate, and not their live birth rate. Clinical pregnancy rates are naturally going to be higher than live birth rates, simply because clinical pregnancy refers to the early positive pregnancy test, whereas the live birth rate is a live baby born. As a prospective patient, it’s highly advised that you ask the clinic to provide information on both their clinical pregnancy and live birth rates for the different age groups. While they do not have to disclose this information, it could be a red flag if they refuse.
3. IVF treatment in Singapore or abroad?
While there is no doubt that Singapore has fantastic public and private IVF treatment options, many couples also consider going overseas for treatment. Choosing to undergo IVF is a huge decision to make, which is why researching all possible treatment facilities both at home and abroad can be worth it in the long-run in better helping you find the right clinic for your needs.
There are many reasons why people choose to travel overseas for infertility treatment, including the lower price of IVF abroad, and other factors such as lower waiting times and recommendations from close friends or family. For anyone thinking about travelling overseas for treatment, the most important thing is to do your research. If you’re considering Hong Kong and China as possible treatment destinations, be sure to check out the following free In Vitro Fertilization guides created by Pacific Prime’s regional Hong Kong and China teams:
4. Consider all potential costs
IVF treatment can be very expensive if you do not have private health insurance that covers infertility treatment. While cost is a huge deciding factor when it comes to which clinic you ultimately choose to seek treatment from, don’t let your final deciding factor be the cheapest clinic you find, as the cheapest may not necessarily mean the best value for money.
Another thing to look out for is the hidden costs. In Singapore, IVF treatment charges at a private facility run as high as SGD 16,000 for just one round of treatment. This does not take into account the additional costs for each additional IVF cycle, as well as medication and consultation charges. As such, it’s a good idea to check whether your private health insurance policy covers infertility treatment.
5. Learn what your health insurance covers
If you’re lucky, the private health insurance policy you have now might actually be able to pay for your IVF treatment. Even if it doesn’t, there might still be a chance that it covers infertility diagnosis costs like ultrasounds.
It’s important to note here that while many Singapore health insurance policies won’t cover IVF or any other ART procedures (mainly because of its high cost), some insurers do cover it. There will, however, be various stipulations attached to this benefit. Some insurers require policyholders to obtain maternity insurance in order to gain access to ART coverage, while others will impose long waiting periods ranging anywhere from one to two years on this particular benefit. This could affect future plans, which is why it’s important to plan early and obtain adequate coverage.
Get in touch with Pacific Prime Singapore today
Every insurance policy comes with different stipulations and conditions on IVF treatment, which is why it can pay to talk to an established broker like Pacific Prime Singapore. With years of experience offering impartial advice to expats and their families in Singapore, our experts know the ins and outs of all health and maternity insurance related matters, and are more than happy to answer all your questions, as well as give you a no obligation, free quote.
Contact us today, or download our brand new Singapore IVF Guide 2017-2018 here.
Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).
Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.
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