Tuesday 8 June 2010

Reduced fees for single embryo transfer patients

Did you know that the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) will no longer charge clinics for patients who have frozen embryo transfers after putting back just one embryo in a fresh cycle?

At the moment, fertility clinics pay the HFEA a fee for each cycle they carry out, and the clinics pass this charge directly on to their patients. From October onwards, the fee will be dropped if a patient who had an unsuccessful single embryo transfer goes on to have additional frozen embryo transfers. The idea is that this will help reduce any additional financial burden from the decision to have just one embryo put back at a time.

Single embryo transfer does make sense for younger women who have good quality embryos as it means you are more likely to have a single, healthy baby. However, in the current economic climate many people do worry that it may end up costing them more to get pregnant this way. The HFEA hopes the decision will show the authority's commitment to helping patients who choose the safe and sensible option.

You can see more here

No comments: