Fertility clinics under pressure to pause price rises, as cost of living crisis forces patients into debt

UK fertility clinics have come under pressure to pause price rises, as growing numbers of patients are getting into debt to pay for treatment.

Dr Catherine Hill, Fertility Network UK’s head of policy and public affairs, spoke of a “toxic combination” of the cost of living price hikes and the lack of access to NHS-funded fertility treatment, which could leave patients priced out of the market, with potentially serious repercussions for their mental health.

She said couples are facing “mountains of debt” and some are being pressured into making unwelcome treatment choices.

“Patients should not be facing the decision to discard much wanted embryos because they can’t afford the costs of transferring them or storing them. Patients should not be swayed into donating their eggs or having a double embryo transfer rather than the recommended single transfer in order to afford necessary medical healthcare. And patients should not be having to forego monitoring scans or genetic testing to avoid inherited conditions in order to be able to continue with treatment,” Hill explained.

“With half of UK fertility patients unable to afford to move forward with fertility treatment and others considering potentially risky options to be able to access care, this is a crisis point for fertility patients and the sector.

“It is a scandal for the country that pioneered IVF over 45 years ago and it is rooted in the lack of equitable access to NHS-funded fertility care and the continuing steep cost of private treatment.”

The charity is calling for fertility clinics to expand the financial support for patients struggling to afford treatment, urging private providers to be clear on treatment costs.

“We urge clinics to consider halting price hikes or providing payment pauses for patients facing their stored embryos being destroyed and, for those who don’t already, to offer payment plan packages.”

Clare Ettinghausen, director of strategy and corporate affairs at Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), said the regulator is concerned that patients are limited in their treatment choices by the cost of storage or transfer of embryos.

“Most fertility patients pay for their own treatment and this can be very expensive, as well as emotionally difficult,” she said.

“Clinics should be giving clear information about the costs of treatment, including any future costs such as storage or embryo transfer to patients before they start treatment.”

A survey by Fertility Network UK of almost 200 patients found that 95 per cent had experienced financial worries in relation to fertility treatment, with 92 per cent saying these problems had been exacerbated by the cost of living crisis.

Half of respondents said a combination of the cost of living crisis, the lack of NHS-funded help and the high cost of private care meant they were unable to move forward with fertility treatment.

One patient, who asked to remain anonymous, told the charity: “We have one frozen embryo left that we spent two years saving for. We can’t afford to have that embryo transferred. Next month the year’s freezing expires so we will have to try and find the money to pay for another year’s freezing or our embryo will be destroyed. Sadly, we can’t do anything more, we are broke.”

Prices for fertility treatments have risen in recent months, in line with inflation throughout the rest of the economy. Many IVF providers said they had no choice but to increase treatment costs to stay afloat.

Dr Suvir Venkataraman, director at Harley Street Fertility Clinic, said: “All clinics are being hit by inflation and as a result price increases are inevitable.

“Harley Street Fertility specialise in treating patients with a complex medical history who seek the optimum treatment for their condition and fertility challenges. Achieving leading success rates as a clinic often leads to higher initial treatment costs.

“Our sample storage fees had remained unchanged since we opened, 13 years ago. However, owing to cost increases in equipment and liquid nitrogen supplies, regrettably, we had to increase our fees for the first time this year.”

Venkataraman said Harley Street Fertility Clinic partnered with three finance companies to offer patients different support packages.

“We work with three partners currently to provide customers with choice and we are open to new financial products from our finance partners. However, as a boutique clinic we are limited in our options. We call on the government and finance industry to come up with improved support for patients.”

Victoria Sephton, chief medical director at Care Fertility, said: “We try and ensure that the costs and treatment pathways for patients are clear at the start of treatment by providing in depth information through our website, information events and social channels.

“We also offer comprehensive fertility assessments for both men and women for those at the start of their fertility journey. By offering patients a clear understanding of their path to parenthood from the start, we allow them to effectively manage the costs associated with their treatment plan.”

Fertility benefits providers, which have grown exponentially since 2019, are pressing employers to do more to support people looking to pursue fertility treatment.

Leila Thabet, VP of global growth at Maven Clinic, said: “Fertility benefits have already become a must-have among US employers, and we’ve started to see many multinational companies with employees in the UK embracing these benefits.

“Over 60 per cent of IVF treatment is privately funded in the UK and, certainly, during a cost of living crisis, employers who prioritise investment in this critically under-supported phase of life will be substantially easing the pressure on their employees, given the prohibitive cost of care for many families.

“Employers have historically focused on the financial aspect of fertility benefits, but there is a growing realisation that, although this is vital, it’s not the only role employers can play, as employees also lack critical, emotional and clinical support through the fertility journey.”

Jenny Saft, co-founder and CEO of the fertility benefits platform Apryl, added: “Fertility treatments can be financially demanding. In a situation where individuals are already grappling with increased living costs, the additional burden of fertility treatment expenses can be overwhelming.

“Fertility benefits play a vital role not just as a healthcare provision but as a crucial support system for couples and individuals embarking on their fertility journey. With the financial pressures that the cost of living crisis brings, these benefits become even more significant.”