How Much Does Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis PGD per embryo Cost in Turkey?

The average cost for a single cycle of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) in Turkey typically ranges from €2,500 to €4,000. This price is significantly lower than in many Western European countries or the United States, making Turkey a popular destination for fertility treatments.

This general price range usually covers the core components of the IVF process. However, the final cost can vary based on several factors.

• Clinic Reputation: Highly sought-after clinics in major cities like Istanbul or Ankara might have slightly higher prices due to their success rates and advanced technology.
• Treatment Protocol: The specific medications and dosages you need can influence the total cost. Some patients require more intensive stimulation, which increases medication expenses.
• Included Services: It's crucial to check what the quoted price includes. Typically, it covers consultations, ultrasound monitoring, egg retrieval, fertilization in the lab, and the embryo transfer.

Yes, it's possible to encounter additional costs not included in the initial IVF package price. It's essential to ask for a detailed cost breakdown from your clinic to avoid surprises and budget accordingly.

Think of the base price as the starting point. Several other necessary services or optional procedures might be added to your final bill.

• Medications: This is the most common extra cost. Fertility drugs can be expensive and are often billed separately from the main IVF cycle fee.
• Advanced Techniques: Procedures like Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT), or assisted hatching are specialized services that carry their own fees.
• Anesthesia: The fee for the anesthesiologist during egg retrieval is sometimes a separate charge.
• Embryo Freezing: If you have extra viable embryos after your transfer, freezing them for future use (cryopreservation) comes with an initial freezing fee and an annual storage fee.

Absolutely. IVF treatment in Turkey is substantially cheaper than in the UK. Patients can often save 50-70% on the cost of a single IVF cycle, even after factoring in travel and accommodation expenses.

The cost difference is one of the primary reasons so many UK residents travel to Turkey for fertility care. Here’s a quick comparison:

• UK Cost: A single IVF cycle in a private UK clinic can easily cost between £5,000 and £8,000, and that's often without medications or any advanced procedures.
• Turkey Cost: As mentioned, the same cycle in Turkey typically costs between €2,500 and €4,000 (roughly £2,100 to £3,400).
• Why the difference? The lower cost in Turkey isn't due to lower quality. It's mainly because of the lower cost of living, operational expenses for clinics, and favorable exchange rates. The quality of care and technology in top Turkish clinics is on par with the best in Europe.

A standard IVF package in Turkey generally covers all the essential medical steps of one treatment cycle. However, the specifics can vary from one clinic to another, so always confirm the details in writing.

Typically, you can expect the following to be included in the advertised price:

• Initial consultation and treatment planning with the fertility specialist.
• Ultrasound scans and blood tests to monitor your cycle.
• The egg retrieval procedure (oocyte pickup).
• Semen sample collection and preparation.
• Standard fertilization of the eggs in the laboratory.
• The embryo transfer procedure.
• Follow-up consultation after the procedure.

Things like initial diagnostic tests, fertility medications, genetic testing (PGT), and embryo freezing are usually not included and will be extra.

The cost for a cycle of elective egg freezing (oocyte cryopreservation) in Turkey generally falls between €2,000 and €3,500. This price includes the procedure itself but not always the medications or long-term storage fees.

The total cost is broken down into a few parts:

• The Procedure: This fee covers the ovarian stimulation monitoring, the egg retrieval surgery, and the laboratory process of vitrifying (fast-freezing) the eggs.
• Medications: Just like with IVF, the hormone medications needed to stimulate your ovaries are a significant additional cost, often ranging from €500 to €1,500 depending on your needs.
• Annual Storage: After the initial freezing, clinics charge an annual fee to keep your eggs stored safely. This fee is usually a few hundred euros per year.

For international patients, it's very rare for standard health insurance or travel insurance to cover the cost of IVF treatment in Turkey. Most fertility treatments are considered elective procedures and are typically paid for out-of-pocket.

Here's what you should know about insurance:

• Check Your Policy: Always review your personal health insurance policy in detail. Some premium international plans might offer partial coverage, but this is uncommon.
• Travel Insurance: Standard travel insurance will not cover planned medical treatments. It's designed for unexpected emergencies or trip cancellations. You can, however, get specialized medical travel insurance that covers complications arising from a planned procedure.
• Clinic Financing: While insurance may not be an option, many clinics in Turkey offer payment plans or partner with financing companies to help patients manage the cost. It's always worth asking the clinic's international patient coordinator about these options.

The cost for a Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) cycle in Turkey is significantly less than a full IVF cycle, typically ranging from €1,000 to €1,800. This price covers the monitoring, thawing, and transfer of a previously frozen embryo.

An FET cycle is simpler and less intensive than a fresh IVF cycle. The cost usually includes:

• Monitoring appointments to prepare your uterine lining for the transfer.
• Any necessary blood tests during the monitoring phase.
• The laboratory work of thawing the embryo(s).
• The embryo transfer procedure itself.

The cost of medications to prepare your endometrium is often extra but is usually much less than the stimulation drugs required for a full IVF cycle.

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is an advanced fertilization technique often performed with IVF. In Turkey, many clinics now include ICSI in their standard IVF package price at no extra cost, or they may charge a small additional fee of around €300 to €600.

ICSI is used primarily for cases of male factor infertility. Because it has become so common and effective, its cost has been integrated into the main IVF price at many top clinics.

• Included in Package: It's a great value proposition when clinics include it. This means you get the most advanced fertilization method without a hefty surcharge.
• Separate Fee: If a clinic does charge separately, the fee covers the specialized lab work where an embryologist injects a single sperm directly into each mature egg.
• Always Ask: This is a key question to ask when comparing clinics. A slightly higher base price that includes ICSI might be a better deal than a lower base price that adds it on later.

Beyond the medical costs, you should budget for flights, accommodation, and daily living expenses. A reasonable budget for a 2-3 week stay in Turkey for IVF would be between €1,000 and €2,500, depending on your travel style and choice of city.

Here's a breakdown of potential non-medical costs:

• Flights: Return flights from Europe to Istanbul can range from €150 to €500 per person, depending on the season and how far in advance you book.
• Accommodation: You'll need to stay for about 20-21 days. Renting a furnished apartment via Airbnb or similar services can be cost-effective, costing anywhere from €600 to €1,500 for the entire stay. Hotels will be more expensive.
• Food and Transport: Daily expenses for food, local transport (taxis, public transit), and some light sightseeing can add up. Budgeting €30-€50 per day is a safe estimate for a couple.

Yes, some leading fertility clinics in Turkey offer payment plans or financing options to help international patients manage the cost of treatment. These options are designed to make high-quality fertility care more accessible.

While not universally available, it's becoming more common for clinics catering to medical tourists to provide financial flexibility.

• In-House Plans: Some clinics may allow you to pay in installments. This usually requires a significant down payment before treatment begins, with the remainder paid over an agreed-upon period.
• Third-Party Financing: Clinics may partner with medical financing companies that specialize in loans for healthcare procedures. You would apply to the third-party company for a loan to cover your treatment costs.
• How to Find Out: The best way to learn about your options is to speak directly with the clinic's international patient coordinator. They handle these queries daily and can provide you with all the necessary details and application information.