The hidden costs of IVF

Whether the payment is personal or funded via a third party, IVF is expensive. Clinical and drug costs are known and if necessary can be budgeted for. But, indirect expenses involved in participation also need to be considered. In order to find out what these latter might be, women attending Human Assisted Reproduction Ireland at the Rotunda Hospital Dublin completed prospectively a detailed questionnaire on all likely areas of extra expense during a single IVF cycle from down-regulation to zygote transfer. Four groups participated, divided according to their distance from the clinic. Group A were within Dublin and Group B within a 50 mile radius. Group C were between a 50-130 mile radius and Group D a 130-200 mile radius. Mean levels of costs increased with distance:- Group A 104 euros. to Group D 703 euros. Food, meals and accommodation were the main contributors. Travel time and time-off work also increased with distance. These were respectively, Group A to Group D 15hrs to 139hrs: 35hrs to 75hrs. The study demonstrates that significant extra expense in time and money can be spent in an IVF cycle over and above medical and drug costs. This must be advised prior to commencement. All other issues being equal, geographical location should be part of the decision as to which clinic to attend.