Lee Women's Hospital in Taiwan VS. Kato Repro Biotech Center in the Philippines

I thought I have made up my mind about going to Taiwan, but I am still having second thoughts and weighing things between Lee Women's Hospital and Kato Repro Biotech Center. One of the most important things to consider is the budget. I am also particular with the method. 

At first, I was leaning on Taiwan because of the success rate and the possibility that I can have twins. On the other hand, the approach in Lee Women's Hospital is aggressive that some women experience Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) during the process. OHSS is a complication caused by fertility medication, which needs to be addressed before any embryo transfer should be done during the IVF procedure. 

Kato's success rate is also increasing. Its protocol is more of like the natural way to conceiving a baby. They have what they call the Natural Cycle IVF, but this is available to those who are qualified depending on the center's assessment. If for some reason the patient can not have the Natural Cycle IVF, she will be under the Minimal Stimulation IVF. Unlike in Lee Women's Hospital, embryo transfer in Kato takes place on the next cycle after the cycle of egg retrieval. This will give time for woman's body to recover from procedures and medicines during the first cycle of the IVF. This center is very strict about the number of embryos that they implant, which is 1 to 2 only, so there is lesser chance of having twins.

I am still doing some readings and research about these two IVF centers, but what I have come up with so far is a comparison of estimated expenses for the two centers. The costs may change in the future.

TAICHUNG IVF ESTIMATED EXPENSES

(as of September 23, 2013)

One IVF Cycle:

• US$280 (medicine for stimulation)
• US$5,400 (all-in: hospital only)
• Others (if necessary): ICSI – NT$10,000 ; LAHA – NT$5,000 ; Frozen material & technique fee for frozen embryos – NT$10,000
• Air Fare: P5,000 – P10,000 (via Cebu Pacific, depending on the promo)
• Service from airport to hotel: NT$2,000
• Hotel accommodation: ALICE Hotel – NT$900-NT$1,200/day (minimum required stay for the whole procedure is 15 days, ideal is 30 days)
• Others (VISA application, food, transportation within Taichung, laundry service, etc.)

 Note: NT$ = New Taiwan dollar

KATO IVF ESTIMATED EXPENSES

(as of September 23, 2013)

• First Consultation: P1,680
• Succeeding Consultations: P560/visit
• Ultrasound: P560/visit
• Sperm Analysis: P560/test
• Hormone test: P1,496 per hormone per visit (Estradiol, Progesterone, LH, FSH, B-hcg, Prolactin
• Infectious Disease Screening: P2,520/each (husband & wife)

Natural Cycle IVF: P168,000 (package)

Note:

-Package is for qualified/eligible candidates only

-EXCLUSIVE OF  consultation fees, ultrasounds, sperm analysis, hormone testing, infectious disease screening + medicine

-If initial pregnancy test is negative, patients only pay P16,800 (EXCLUSIVE OF consultation fees, ultrasounds, sperm analysis, hormone testing, infectious disease screening + medicine)

Minimal Stimulation IVF: P207,200 (EXCLUSIVE OF consultation fees, ultrasounds, sperm analysis, hormone testing, infectious disease screening + medicine, etc.)

Note: Payment is dependent on each procedure used for the cycle