You’ve probably heard about the growing trend of “medical tourism” – traveling to other countries for medical treatments that are too difficult to get in the U.S., too expensive, or both. Assisted reproductive treatments (ART), like in vitro fertilization (IVF), are among the treatments women and couples are pursuing outside the United States.
A recent study out of the UK, published in the journal Human Reproduction, looked at this trend among British couples and women, probing into why people went abroad, where they went, and whether the treatments worked or not. Though the study sample was small – just 41 cases (a case was either an individual or a couple) were interviewed in 2009 and 2010 – the study yielded some interesting results. For these UK patients, the most popular destinations were Spain and the Czech Republic. They cited the cost of treatment at home; higher success rates abroad; a shortage of donors in the UK (especially egg donors); the chance to be treated in a less stressful environment; and dissatisfaction with the treatment they got at home as reasons for packing their bags. (Unlike the US, the UK has a national health system that covers all citizens for much of their medical care, at no additional cost.) The researchers reported 26 cases (of the 41) resulted in a live birth or pregnancy.
In April, the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) set the first-ever standards in Cross Border Reproductive Care (CBRC) to help ensure “the safety of patients, gamete donors, surrogates and future children.” It’s estimated that there could be as many as 30,000 cycles of “cross-border” treatment annually in Europe.
Would you travel outside the U.S. for fertility treatment? If so, where would you go and why? If you’ve gone abroad for treatment, please share your story!
South Africa has a thriving medical tourism industry. Very reasonable rates, outstanding success rates and the opportunity to have a fabulous holiday at the same time - total win! If anyone would like to know more they are welcome to contact me www.nurture.co.za.
If you are planning to travel to Los Angeles I can highly recommend Dr. Jain. He is a IVF expert and you can contact him via his website: santamonicafertility.com
I have two live European souvenirs currently known as my dear daughter and son (twins). When I first heard about going to the Czech Republic for treatment and the cost difference from the USA, I thought it may be a scam...How could a donor egg/sperm treatment here in the USA cost in the $30-40,000.00 range and the treatment in the Czech Republic even with a young, proven, university student trip and all cost $10,000.00? Sounds impossible but it's true! I received wonderful treatment at a clinic located in Zlin, Czech Republic. The donor coordinators speak English and the clinic is impeccably clean and very modern. The sad thing is that when I mentioned doing treatment abroad to Dr.'s here (Reproductive Endo.) they tried to discourage me and scare me. Their own fear about people finding out about the price difference and losing clients was really the unmentioned topic. If I were to do it over again and had the money I'd still do it abroad. It's sad that our healthcare system cannot pay for treatment like they do in Europe. People facing infertility are being financially raped here. Isn't facing infertility bad enough? We have to be taken advantage of as well? Well, as I look at my son and daughter I have to thank God every day for medical tourism and the angels located in the Czech Republic AKA (my donors, Dr.'s and staff at the clinic)!
YES! I did travel outside of the U.S. for DE/IVF and was successful! I fall more in love with my resulting son every day!
I went to a clinic in Zlin, Czech Republic. Because: 1) they're waitlist to schedule procedures in 2010 was only 12 weeks, 2) they communicated very well in English, 3) the Drs. and facility were high-tech - even further along than my RE and OB in the U.S., 4) their success rates were comparable to those in the U.S., and the best reason of all, 5) I could pay for 4 procedures in the CZR, including all my travel expenses AND meds, in comparison to 1 procedure in the U.S.
Some people might see it as a drawback that donors in the CZ are anonymous, but after too many disappointments and heartbreak with IF in the U.S.A., I just wanted to be a mom, already! My son will know how he came into being, but the genetic part of it I left up to God's devine design! And may I just say that my son looks more like me than my husband, who's "stuff" was used in his making!
Godspeed everyone on your journies to parenthood!
I just traveled to Czech Republic for a donor egg cycle. I went to Prague Fertility Centre and I was quite impressed with the technology and quality of care. Waiting to see if the cycle worked!
Thanks to information and shared experiences found on fertility discussion boards, I too traveled to Zlin, Czech Republic for donor egg IVF. Being of advanced age and after 3 failed and expensive IVF treatments, I knew my choice was to not conceive at all with my own eggs, or to possibly have a baby with donor eggs. People needing infertility treatment here in the U.S. DO get raped by the prices charged by fertility centers. That made going to Zlin an easy choice, along with Zlin's positive track record and state-of-the-art facility. Plus we got a lovely European vacation, all for $10K. Most of the reproductive medicine conferences happen in Europe anyway, isn't that interesting? The treatment I received in CR was in some ways superior to what I received in the US. And I'm happy with the fact that I am 16 weeks pregnant, and incredibly grateful.