There’s no denying that financing fertility treatment can be a daunting prospect. Add to that having to embark on the journey of becoming a parent and being in the unfortunate position of having to undergo IVF or similar treatments in the first place.
The good news is that our team of knowledgeable experts are here to support and guide you through a range of options at your disposal in realising your dream of becoming a parent or adding to your brood.
Starting Your Fertility Treatment Journey
The journey to fertility treatments can be emotionally and financially taxing. Recent studies have concluded that women who experience infertility issues can become just as depressed and anxious as their female counterparts that suffer from other conditions such as HIV, cancer, or even cardiac–related illnesses (UC Health Center for Reproductive Health, n.d.).
Because we understand what you are going through and would like to offer our support and compassion to you and your partner (if applicable), ensuring you have a helping hand each step of the way. Here’s what you can expect from your first few consultations with us:
The Ovulatory Cycle
We will determine whether your ovulatory cycle is occurring by performing a test.
Fertility Tests
You and, if applicable, your partner’s medical histories will be examined, and if deemed necessary, the appropriate fertility tests required will be discussed. This is to try and determine the reason/s behind the infertility experience. The tests may include transvaginal ultrasound, HIV test, Syphilis, Hepatitis B & C, hormone testing, which includes an AMH (anti-Mullerian hormone) for the female and a sperm test for the male partner.
Semen Analysis
For those using a husband or partner’s sperm, his semen will be tested in our laboratory. Some parameters under evaluation are sperm concentration (count), sperm motility (movement), morphology (the shape of the sperm), and a Mar Test (antibodies).
Available Fertility Treatment Options
Once the necessary tests have been performed, our experts will be able to advise on the suitable options for you in terms of fertility treatments. Notably, each case is unique, and treatment options can range from straightforward to intricately complicated, depending on the patients’ requirements.
Fertility Treatments and Their Side–Effects
The majority of fertility treatments entail that some form of medication needs to be taken. Each of these medicines have their own potential risks and possible side–effects that will be discussed with each patient.
Most patients fear these risks due to information garnered on the internet, but rest assured that when the right course of treatment is prescribed by an experienced physician, they are both safe and effective.
A List of Available Fertility Treatments
There are many different options when it comes to fertility treatments. However, the most common methods and their average cost breakdowns are:
Artificial Insemination (AI/IUI)
For this treatment option, a doctor injects sperm into a woman’s fallopian tubes, uterus, or cervix. The most prevalent method is intrauterine insemination, or IUI for short, when the sperm is placed in the uterus.
Cost Estimate: +-R8,000.00
Inclusions
Some of the items included in the price are sperm washes, insemination, and consultation fees.
Price Exclusions
There will always be other out–of–pocket costs for every treatment. In the instance of AI/IUI, costs that are not included in the estimation provided above include donor sperms, blood tests, sperm freezing, and pregnancy medication.
Egg Donation
An egg donor is a female who donates some of her eggs to another woman or a couple struggling to conceive their own babies. A common occurrence whereby an egg donor donates her eggs is when a female cannot produce her own quality eggs for fertilisation.
Cost Estimate: +-R91,380.00
Inclusions
Some of the items included in the cost estimation include donor blood tests, egg retrieval, and follicle scans.
Price Exclusions
In the instance of egg donation, costs that are not included in the estimation provided above include embryo freezing, semen analysis, sperm storage, and pre-pregnancy medication.
IVF (ICSI)
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection or ICSI is used as an additional treatment to the IVF treatment cycle. The process entails inserting a single sperm cell into each egg to promote fertilisation, using delicate micro–manipulation tools. ICSI has a high success rate in chronic male infertility.
Cost Estimate:+-R52,400.00
Inclusions
The above mentioned cost estimation comprises items such as consultations, embryo glue, and the fees for planning and laboratory tests.
Price Exclusions
Some of the cost exclusions in the IVF treatment category include P-ICSI, Intralipid Therapy, Platelet Rich Plasma, and assisted hatching procedures.
Surrogacy With IVF/CSI
This method entails the willingness of another woman to carry a baby to full term for another couple who are unable to, such as LBTQ+ couples and couples suffering from permanent infertility issues.
Cost Estimate: +-R67,530.00
Inclusions
Some cost inclusions in the baseline cost estimate for surrogacy with IVF/CSI include; embryo transfer, ultrasound for the surrogate, and medical reports for the high court application.
Price Exclusions
Some of the out–of–pocket expenses incurred during surrogacy IVF/CSI procedures include psychological commissioning parenting screening, Visa letter admin fees, pregnancy medication, and IP blood tests.
Financing Your Fertility Treatment
There are a series of financial assistance options available to you to help finance your dream of adding to your family or welcoming your first baby. The two primary categories are:
- Medical aids
- Financial affiliates
Let’s take a look at each of these in more detail and how they can assist you in your family planning endeavours.
Financial Affiliates
Medifin is a preferred medical partner that offers loans for those unplanned medical situations to help you realise a lifelong dream and offers financial support in terms of pregnancy and fertility finance–related matters, among others.
MediWallet provides a range of affordable and flexible finance options that suits your budget and pocket. You can count on them for tailormade solutions to finance your fertility treatments and related out–of–pocket expenses.
Ovajoyed offers financial support payment solutions for all fertility treatments. Apart from assistance with payment options, they also endeavour to follow a holistic approach to provide emotional support to infertile parents.
Medical Aids
In February 2021, Discovery launched an exciting new product to their Comprehensive and Executive plans. This new feature is called the Assisted Reproductive Therapy Benefit offers a range of options to struggling parents regarding infertility.
CAMAF medical aid offers an infertility benefit on the following plans:
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- Alliance Network and Alliance Plus
- Double Plus and Double Network
Key Takeaways
Experiencing infertility is already a challenging journey on its own without having to worry about available financing options. So why not enlist the help of our experts and our panel of partners to aid you in your baby endeavours. So don’t hesitate and contact us today. We are ready to assist with support and guidance on fertility treatment and a finance plan that suits your individual requirements.
Reference List:
First fertility appointment: Things you need to know. (2021, March 18). GENESIS Fertility & Reproductive Medicine. https://www.genesisfertility.com/blog/first-fertility-appointment-6-things-you-need-to-know/.
Frequently asked questions about donating eggs. (n.d.). Aevitas Fertility Clinic. https://aevitasfertilityclinic.co.za/EggBank/Egg-Donors/Donor-FAQ.
Guide for your fertility journey. (n.d.). UC Health Center for Reproductive Health. https://www.uchealth.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/66/2018/04/CRH_Guide_to_Fertility_Download.pdf.
ICSI treatment. (2019). IVF Australia. https://www.ivf.com.au/treatments/fertility-treatments/icsi-treatment.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatments at the C.A.R.E Clinic. (n.d.). C.A.R.E Clinic. https://www.careclinic.co.za/care-clinic-centre-assisted-reproduction-endocrinology/ivf-surrogacy/
Todd, N. (2007). Infertility and Artificial Insemination. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/guide/artificial-insemination.